Foreign companies stepping into the Lithuanian market commonly encounter certain barriers while using digital public services. Especially when the representatives of the branches and subsidiaries in Lithuania are not Lithuanian citizens.
As a potential solution to this issue, the possibility to become an e-resident in Lithuania was introduced in 2021, with applications becoming available in practice from mid 2021.
E-residency in Lithuania: purpose and possibilities
The purpose of e-residency is to enable foreign citizens to access the administrative, public, or commercial services provided in the Republic of Lithuania electronically (remotely).
Given the continuing interest of foreign businesses and individuals in the e‑resident status, we provide below an overview of the currently available possibilities and future development directions.
At present, an e-resident of Lithuania may:
- Log in to the Electronic Government Gateway (English language at home page is available);
- Log in to the Lithuanian Migration Information System (MIGRIS) through the Electronic Government Gateway;
- Sign documents by a qualified e-signature in the Electronic Government Gateway portal or by other means.
- Register a new private limited liability company (UAB) or a branch of a foreign company, subject to applicable legal and procedural requirements.
Considering the above-mentioned options, it would be safe to assume that although e-resident status simplifies some steps for foreign persons, but certain limitations remain and not all electronic public or commercial services are fully accessible.
Current limitations
E-residency currently may still not grant access to all electronic self-service systems and language barriers may occur in some cases (i.e. the self-service system of the Register Center is only available in Lithuanian language for certain services like the information system of beneficiaries of legal entities (JANGIS)).
However, the list of services provided by the Lithuanian Register Center currently allow e-residents to perform the following actions (the eresident‑ card must be activated and prepared for use with a downloaded and installed software):
- To provide data on the participants (shareholders, beneficiaries) of the legal entities;
- To register a new private liability company or branch of a foreign company;
- To submit changes to personal data and documents of a registered private limited liability company or branch of a foreign company;
- To order a paper extract of the legal entity from the register;
- To acquire a current extract of shareholders or beneficiaries;
- To order digital/paper extracts from shareholders’ and beneficiaries’ registers of a legal entity;
Obtaining the Lithuanian e-resident status
Please be noted that the application for Lithuanian e-residency has to be submitted through a self-service system of the Lithuanian Migration Department (hereinafter – MIGRIS).
A person should fill in an application for granting the status of an electronic resident of the Republic of Lithuania through the Lithuanian Migration Information System (MIGRIS) and submit it to the Migration Department through the following link:
https://www.migracija.lt/app/auth/login
The instructions can be found in the video below:
After filling in the application through MIGRIS the foreigner shall appear in person at the chosen external service provider (indicated in the MIGRIS page) or the Migration Department within 4 months from the day of filling in the application through MIGRIS and submit:
- A valid travel document that complies with the requirements for identification established in the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing of the Republic of Lithuania;
- A document granting the right to be or stay in the Republic of Lithuania when the application is submitted in the Republic of Lithuania by a foreigner who is excluded from the visa-free regime;
- Biometric data for identity verification (facial image and fingerprints of two fingers).
Certain service fees may apply in the process as well.
The status of an electronic resident may not be granted to a foreigner if:
- Another Schengen state has entered an alert in the central second-generation Schengen Information System for refusal of entry concerning the foreigner;
- The foreigner is included in the national list of foreigners prohibited from entering the Republic of Lithuania.
If the decision to grant e-resident status is made, a foreigner will be granted the status of an e-resident for 3 years. An electronic identification and electronic signature means will be issued as well for a new e-resident which will allow using all the services applicable to the e-resident.
If the decision to grant e-resident status is made, a foreigner will be granted the status of an e-resident for 3 years. An electronic identification and electronic signature means will be issued as well for a new e-resident which will allow using all the services applicable to the e-resident.
After collecting the electronic identification and electronic signature means it shall be activated through MIGRIS according to the following instruction:
Hopefully, the information provided was useful. For any related questions or assistance to acquire the e-resident status, please contact our Legal experts from the Tax and Legal team.
