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.

Capital: Vilnius

Region: Europe

Language: Lithuanian

Currency: EUR (€)

Cost of living: Affordable (index 47)

Emergency: 112

Social Security in Lithuania

Benefits, contributions, and how the system works for expats.

Lithuania's social security system is administered primarily by Sodra (Valstybinio socialinio draudimo fondo valdyba — State Social Insurance Fund Board, sodra.lt). Sodra collects contributions from employees (12.52%) and employers (1.77%) and pays unemployment benefits (nedarbo draudimas), sickness benefits (ligos pašalpa), maternity/paternity benefits, work accident compensation, and manages the state pension system. PSD (health insurance) contributions are also collected through Sodra but distributed to the PSDF (National Health Insurance Fund, vlk.lt). Most benefits are earnings-related — higher Sodra contributions mean higher benefits. Registration with Sodra happens automatically via your employer; self-employed persons must register themselves.

Asmens kodas (Personal Identification Code)

Asmens kodas

Automatically assigned to Lithuanian citizens at birth. For foreign residents: assigned when registering residence at the Registrų centras (rc.lt). Required documents: passport, proof of address in Lithuania, and for EU citizens: proof of registration at the Migration Department. The code is 11 digits: first digit indicates gender and birth century, next 6 are birthdate (YYMMDD), followed by 3 serial digits and a check digit.

Used for

Healthcare access (PSDF)
Tax registration and filing at VMI
Social insurance (Sodra) registration and benefit claims
Banking and financial services
All e-government services (epaslaugos.lt)
Employer payroll and employment registration
Property and vehicle ownership registration
Legal identity in all official transactions
Driving licence and vehicle registration

Benefits & Support Payments

Unemployment benefit

Nedarbo draudimo išmoka

40% of your insured income (average of the last 24 months' insured earnings). Minimum: approximately €365/month (2026). Maximum: approximately €1,300/month (capped at 3x average wage in some cases). Benefit reduces after 3 months: 100% of amount for first 3 months; then 50% of amount for remaining months.

Monthly benefit for insured persons who lose their job involuntarily (redundancy, employer closure — not voluntary resignation without good reason).

Eligibility

Must have Sodra insurance for at least 12 months in the last 30 months. Must have lost job involuntarily. Must be registered as unemployed at the Lithuanian Employment Service (Darbo birža, uzt.lt). Must be actively seeking work.

How to Apply

Register as unemployed at the Lithuanian Labour Exchange (LDB, uzt.lt) within 12 months of losing your job. Apply for benefit at sodra.lt or at a Sodra service point. Submit: dismissal document (darbo sutarties nutraukimo aktas), Sodra insurance record.

Maximum benefit duration: 9 months. During the benefit period, you must actively seek work, attend LDB consultations, and cannot refuse suitable job offers without losing entitlement. Benefit is taxable (GPM applies). Sodra insurance contributions are paused during the benefit period.

Sickness benefit

Ligos pašalpa

62.06% of compensatory insured earnings (based on average insured income of the last 3 months). No maximum duration initially — up to 6 months for ordinary illness. Extended to 12 months for specific conditions (tuberculosis, some chronic diseases).

Replacement income during illness-related incapacity to work. Funded by Sodra from day 8 of illness (days 1–7 are the employer's responsibility).

Eligibility

Must have Sodra insurance for at least 3 months in the last 12 months. Must have a nedarbingumo pažymėjimas (medical certificate) from a doctor from day 1 of illness.

How to Apply

Doctor issues the electronic nedarbingumo pažymėjimas via the e-health system — this is automatically transmitted to Sodra and your employer. No manual application needed — Sodra initiates payment automatically.

First 2 days: employer pays 80% of average daily wage. Days 3–7: employer pays 40%. Day 8+: Sodra pays 62.06%. The digital e-certificate system means the sick note goes straight from doctor to employer and Sodra electronically.

Work accident benefit

Nelaimingų atsitikimų darbe pašalpa

100% of insured income for the duration of incapacity (no reduction). Long-term disability: monthly pension based on degree of incapacity.

Benefit for injuries and occupational diseases occurring in the course of employment.

Eligibility

All employees insured under Sodra are covered. The employer is responsible for reporting workplace accidents to VDI (State Labour Inspectorate) and Sodra within 24 hours.

How to Apply

Employer reports to VDI (vdi.lt) and Sodra. Employee submits medical documentation. Sodra pays benefit automatically after accident is officially registered.

Lithuania requires employers to maintain workplace accident insurance through Sodra. Employees who suffer occupational diseases have similar rights.

Disability pension

Neįgalumo pensija / Netekto darbingumo pensija

Depends on degree of incapacity (30–55% = partial; 60–75% = moderate; 80–100% = severe). Amount based on Sodra contribution history and incapacity degree. Minimum: approximately €300–500/month.

Monthly pension for persons with reduced working capacity due to disability.

Eligibility

Lithuanian residents with assessed disability. Incapacity assessed by the Disability and Work Capacity Assessment Office (NDNT — ndnt.lt). Sodra insurance record affects the pension amount.

How to Apply

Apply to NDNT for disability assessment. NDNT assesses working capacity level. Sodra pays the pension based on the NDNT decision.

The disability assessment system in Lithuania was substantially reformed to a "working capacity" model. Persons with reduced capacity receive both disability pension and have access to vocational rehabilitation programmes.

Social assistance benefit

Piniginė socialinė parama

Varies by household size and income. Minimum social benefit (MSB): €153/month per person (2026). Total amount depends on family composition and calculated eligible income.

Means-tested cash assistance for very low-income residents who do not qualify for insurance-based benefits.

Eligibility

Lithuanian residents with income below the minimum social benefit threshold. Must be unable to work or in approved circumstances. Means-tested against property and income.

How to Apply

Apply at your municipality's social services office (savivaldybės socialinių paslaugų departamentas).

Social assistance is not related to Sodra insurance — it is a means-tested municipal benefit. New arrivals are not usually eligible immediately. EU citizens who are economically active are treated equally with Lithuanian citizens for social insurance benefits (Sodra) but means-tested welfare entitlement has a connection to the right to reside.

Contribution Overview

Employee total deductions from gross salary: Sodra (VSD social insurance) 12.52% + PSD (health insurance) 6.98% = 19.50% of gross salary up to EUR 126,532/year ceiling. Above EUR 126,532: only PSD 6.98% applies. Optional 2nd pillar pension: additional 3% (state adds 1.5%). Employer pays: 1.45% Sodra (permanent contracts) or 2.71% (fixed-term) + 0.16% Guarantee Fund + 0.16% Long-term Employment Fund = 1.77% (permanent) or 3.03% (fixed-term) above gross. Source: taxsummaries.pwc.com/lithuania; sodra.lt. All contributions processed via payroll and remitted monthly.

International Social Security Agreements

Lithuania has social security totalisation agreements with: all EU/EEA member states (under EU Regulation 883/2004 — the main EU social security coordination framework), USA (since 1999), Switzerland, and several other countries. The EU Regulation prevents double coverage and double contribution payment. Periods of insurance in other EU countries count toward Lithuanian benefit qualification periods (totalisation). For non-EU countries with bilateral agreements: contributions and benefit periods are credited proportionally.

Sodra is the single most important institution for expats after VMI. Access all your Sodra data, contribution records, and benefit history online at sodra.lt using Smart-ID. Your Sodra record shows: all employment and contribution periods in Lithuania, accumulated pension points, sickness benefit eligibility, and any benefit payments received. Always check your Sodra record is accurate — errors in employer reporting occasionally occur. If you discover missing contributions (employer failing to remit), report to VDI (State Labour Inspectorate) and VMI immediately.

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