Lithuania: Travel Requirements, Health, and Medical Insurance
Lithuania is a member of the European Union, the Schengen Area, and the eurozone, so the visa requirement to enter depends solely on each traveler's passport rather than their country of residence. Visa-exempt nationalities can stay up to 90 days within a 180-day period, counting time spent anywhere in the Schengen Area, while other nationalities must obtain a Schengen visa before traveling.
Vilnius, the capital, preserves one of the best-kept medieval old towns in Eastern Europe. The currency is the euro (EUR) and the emergency number is 112 nationwide. Travel insurance is essential to cover any medical care, since the public system bills anyone without reciprocal coverage.
Visa and health for travelers
Visa: Schengen Area member country; whether a short-stay visa is required depends on the traveler's passport, not their country of residence.
Health & travel insurance: Public healthcare is of good quality but bills visitors without reciprocal coverage; travel insurance with at least EUR 30,000 in coverage is recommended.
Visa and Entry Requirements
Passports that require a Schengen visa must apply for it at the relevant Lithuanian consulate, or at another Schengen country's consulate with representation, presenting flight and accommodation bookings along with travel insurance covering at least EUR 30,000 in medical expenses. Visa-exempt nationalities can enter with just a valid passport.
- Passport valid for at least 3 months after the planned departure date.
- Proof of accommodation and sufficient funds for the stay.
- Travel insurance with the minimum required coverage if your nationality needs a visa.
Health, Hospitals, and Medical Insurance
Vilnius and Kaunas have well-equipped hospitals, but care for foreigners without a reciprocity agreement is billed directly to the patient. Having travel insurance means you don't have to pay out of pocket in an emergency, and it speeds up direct payment with the medical facility.
Assist-365 covers hospitalization, COVID-19, and 24-hour medical assistance in Lithuania, with a certificate accepted for Schengen visa applications; the code MEDALLOADV2023 gives you a discount when you get a quote for the plan.
Transport and Currency
The currency is the euro (EUR). Trains and buses connect Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipėda efficiently, and the Rail Baltica corridor, currently under construction, aims to link Lithuania with Latvia, Estonia, and Poland via high-speed trains in the coming years.
When to Travel
High season runs from June to August, with long days and milder weather. Spring and autumn bring fewer tourists and better prices, while winter is cold with frequent snow, ideal for those seeking a festive Christmas atmosphere in Vilnius.
Travel checklist for Lithuania
Quick list based on this guide's real data (not generic) before traveling to Lithuania.
- Check the visa requirement for Lithuania based on your passport: Schengen Area member country; whether a short-stay visa is required depends on the traveler's passport, not their country of residence.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from the entry date
- Travel medical insurance arranged, keeping this in mind: Public healthcare is of good quality but bills visitors without reciprocal coverage; travel insurance with at least EUR 30,000 in coverage is recommended.
- Save Lithuania's emergency number: 112, along with your insurer's contact
- Cash or a no-fee card in Euro (EUR)
- Physical and digital copies of passport, insurance and bookings
- Required or recommended vaccines up to date for the region
- eSIM or international data plan active on arrival
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all travelers need a visa to enter Lithuania?
No. As a Schengen country, the requirement depends on each traveler's passport; some nationalities enter without a visa while others must apply for one in advance.
What is the emergency number in Lithuania?
112, active nationwide for police, ambulance, and fire services.
Does Lithuania's public health insurance cover tourists?
Only if there's a reciprocal agreement with the traveler's country of residence; otherwise, care is billed and travel insurance is recommended.
What currency should I use in Lithuania?
The euro (EUR), the same currency used throughout the eurozone.
