Lithuania (LT)
Lithuania is the largest and most southerly of the three Baltic states, a semi-presidential EU republic celebrated for its remarkably preserved Baroque capital Vilnius (UNESCO World Heritage), dramatic coastal dunes at Neringa (also UNESCO), vibrant startup and fintech ecosystem (home of Revolut HQ, Vinted, Nord Security, and Hostinger), rapidly rising living standards, and a resilient population with deep cultural roots stretching back to one of the last pagan civilisations in Europe to adopt Christianity.
Leaving Lithuania
How to properly exit — protecting your finances, rights and records.
📅 General Timeline
Recommended timeline for leaving Lithuania: 3 months before: give notice on rental contract and start property search at destination. 2 months before: notify employer, start VMI tax deregistration process, cancel long-term service subscriptions. 1 month before: notify Sodra of departure, arrange final utility readings, close or transfer bank accounts, cancel or transfer vehicle registration. 2 weeks before: deregister address at Registrų centras, collect any remaining government correspondence, get EHIC card if needed. After leaving: file final tax return by 2 May of the following year for income earned while Lithuanian tax resident. Contact Sodra to update your address for pension correspondence.
Deregistration
When leaving Lithuania permanently, deregister your place of residence at the Registrų centras (Register Centre) — you can do this online at rc.lt or at a Registrų centras office. EU citizens should also notify the Migration Department. Non-EU holders of temporary or permanent residence permits should either not renew their permit or formally relinquish it. Failure to deregister means you may continue to receive obligations (tax, health insurance contributions) as a Lithuanian resident.
Tax clearance
Notify VMI (Valstybinė mokesčių inspekcija) that you are leaving Lithuania. File a final annual income tax declaration (GPM308) for the period you were resident. If you were employed, your employer will file the final payroll reports. If self-employed, deregister your individual activity certificate or dissolve your company at Registrų centras. Important: if leaving mid-year, you remain a Lithuanian tax resident until you formally change your tax residence status. Pay any outstanding tax obligations before leaving. Request a tax clearance confirmation from VMI if needed for your next country.
Pension portability
Sodra pension contributions: you retain all accumulated pension rights. The state pension (1st pillar) from Sodra is paid to you after reaching retirement age regardless of where you live — apply to Sodra (sodra.lt) from abroad. Second pillar private pension fund: your accumulated assets remain in your chosen pension fund. You can leave them invested until retirement or, in some cases, withdraw them early (exit fees may apply). Contact your fund manager about cross-border portability. EU social security regulations apply for cross-border pension rights within the EU.
Health insurance
Health insurance (PSD — privalomasis sveikatos draudimas) access ends when you deregister as a Lithuanian resident or cease employment. PSDF (National Health Insurance Fund) coverage is residence-based. If you are an EU citizen moving to another EU country, your health rights transfer. Obtain your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving if you need temporary coverage across the EU. For non-EU destinations, arrange private international health insurance before leaving.
Bank account
You can generally keep your Lithuanian bank account after leaving (Swedbank, SEB, Luminor). Notify your bank of your change of address and tax residency status. Under CRS (Common Reporting Standard), Lithuanian banks report account information for tax residents of other countries to those countries' tax authorities. Revolut and other fintech accounts are straightforward to maintain from abroad. Close any accounts you no longer need to avoid fees. NemKonto equivalent: not applicable in Lithuania (no specific state payment account system like Denmark's NemKonto).
Utilities
Cancel or transfer utility contracts before leaving. For electricity and gas: contact Ignitis (ignitis.lt) to request meter readings and final bills. For district heating: notify your building management company (namų valdytojas). For internet: check your contract notice period (typically 1 month; fibre contracts may have longer lock-in periods). Cancel your mobile plan or port your number if keeping it. Cancel any direct debits and standing orders from your bank account.
Rental contract
Rental contract termination in Lithuania: the standard notice period for indefinitely terminated rental contracts is 3 months (for the tenant) under the Civil Code. Fixed-term contracts require a mutually agreed termination or the contractual termination clause. Always provide written notice (registered email or letter) and document it. Request the return of your deposit (užstatas) within 5–10 business days of handing back the keys, after deducting any legitimate damages. If the landlord refuses to return the deposit without justification, you can file a claim through the court or mediation service.
Leaving the Country
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