Social information / Life in Vilnius
Vilnius is cozy and easy to navigate with all the buzz of a contemporary European capital. Both compact and bustling, Vilnius offers the work-life balance you deserve. A world-class business environment and infrastructure, lively arts and culture scene, charming UNESCO-listed Old Town and a city so green you may feel like you live in a forest – all less than a 3-hour flight from most places in Europe. We are happy to welcome you to Vilnius and here you may find some tips to make your stay at Lithuania more easier.
Open bank account
How to proceed?
• The first bank account is opened upon arrival at any bank in Vilnius.
• Documents to be presented: personal Identity document (passport / ID card / resident permit).
• Complete a questionnaire for natural persons.
• Sign the agreement
• Service fee: usually it’s free of charge for legal residents of Lithuania. For non-residents must be pay extra. Ask at the bank in prior.
(Paysera, Swedbank, Seb bankas )
Get mobile
Prepaid SIM cards with plans for data, calls and SMS cost €2–8. SIM cards are available at Narvesen and Lietuvos Spauda news kiosks as well as some supermarkets.
Operators: Ežys / Pildyk (www EN version not available)
Signing a contract for monthly service is possible but requires a residence permit and a deposit.
Mobile service providers in Lithuania: Tele2.lt / Telia.lt / Bite.lt
The health care system is administered by the Ministry of Health (www.sam.lt) and at the local level by the territorial patients’ funds (www.vlk.lt). To contact a medical institution, you must be insured by compulsory health insurance, voluntary insurance, insurance at an insurance company of your choice, or you must pay for the services yourself.
How to register as a patient at a primary healthcare institution?
1. Choose a health care institution (an outpatient clinic, primary healthcare center or a family medical centre) and go to the healthcare facility of your choice.
2. Provide your ID, fill out an application form and choose a practitioner.
3. Do not forget that registration with a specific healthcare institution is only limited to persons who are covered with compulsory health insurance, regardless of whether the healthcare institution in question is public or private.
4. Important: Your place of residence you has to be declared in Vilnius/Lithuania.
There are 3 steps to follow if you get ill:
1. Visit your family doctor, who can declare you un-fit for work and issue an illness certificate.
2. Inform your employer and provide them with your illness certificate.
3. If you wish to receive statutory sick pay, you can apply for this at SODRA.
If you have any questions, don‘t hesitate to ask your employer
Private healthcare
A wide variety of private healthcare options are also available in Lithuania. You can register in person, online or by phone at one of the many private medical centers operating in Lithuania’s major cities. Information on various medical centers is available (use filters for search)
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
Anyone making national insurance contributions as a resident of one EU country has the right to access emergency care when travelling in other EU countries, with expenses reimbursed by their national healthcare institution. To use this service, you need an EU healthcare insurance card, which can be obtained from the National Healthcare Insurance Fund.
Emergency help – call 112
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