Lithuania (LT)

Lithuania's 11-digit personal identity code — the most important identification number in the country. Required for all official purposes: healthcare, tax, banking, social insurance, and government services. Format: GYYMMDDXXX where G indicates gender and birth century, followed by birth date and a serial number. Assigned automatically to Lithuanian citizens at birth and to foreign residents upon registration. Expats obtain their asmens kodas at the Registrų centras (Registry Centre) when registering as residents.

Required for all immigration purposes, opening a bank account, official registrations, and notarial acts. Non-EU nationals must hold a valid passport throughout their stay. EU nationals can use their national ID card for EU freedom of movement purposes.

EU/EEA citizens: must obtain a residence certificate (gyvenamosios vietos registravimas) from the Migration Department within 3 months. Non-EU nationals: require a temporary or permanent residence permit (leidimas gyventi) from the Migration Department. This is the primary proof of legal residence in Lithuania.

Proof of registration with Sodra (Valstybinio socialinio draudimo fondo valdyba — State Social Insurance Fund Board). Sodra registration is mandatory for all employed persons and self-employed individuals. Your employer registers you automatically, or you register yourself if self-employed. The Sodra number is linked to your asmens kodas. Essential for accessing unemployment benefits, sick pay, and pension accumulation.

Registration with VMI (Valstybinė mokesčių inspekcija — State Tax Inspectorate) as a tax resident. Required for all persons receiving income in Lithuania. The VMI assigns your taxpayer registration and maintains your tax records. Access VMI services at vmi.lt using eID or Smart-ID.

Lithuania's electronic identity card, combining a physical ID document with a chip for electronic authentication. The eID card is used to access e-government services at epaslaugos.lt, sign documents electronically, and authenticate online. Also accepted as a travel document within the EU/EEA. Expats can apply for a residence card with eID functionality.

Smart-ID is a mobile application for digital identity verification and electronic signatures, widely used in Lithuania and the other Baltic states. The Mobile Signature (mobilusis parašas) works via your mobile number. Both allow access to banking, government portals, and signing documents electronically. Smart-ID is free and used by the vast majority of the population for daily e-service access.

Required for registering children born in Lithuania, citizenship applications, marriage registration, and some social benefit claims.

Required for family reunification applications, registering a spouse as a resident, and some benefits. Must be officially translated and apostilled if issued abroad.

Required for registering your place of residence (gyvenamosios vietos registracija) at the Registrų centras. A signed rental contract, property ownership document, or written consent from the property owner.

Required by employer when starting work (darbo sutartis). Must include role, salary, working hours, and notice period. Employment contracts must comply with the Lithuanian Labour Code (Darbo kodeksas). A copy must be registered with Sodra by the employer.

EU/EEA driving licences are valid in Lithuania and do not need to be exchanged until renewal. Non-EU licences: valid for 185 days after establishing Lithuanian residency. After that period, exchange at REGITRA (state enterprise for vehicle registration and licensing). Some bilateral exchange agreements exist.

Required for recognition of professional qualifications or academic degrees. Non-EU diplomas may need apostille and certified Lithuanian translation. The Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC) handles academic recognition.