Genvisec advises that all travel can continue to Lithuania. 

 

Crime

 

Petty crime is common. Take extra care of your belongings in busy locations. Pickpockets operate in bars and restaurants. There is a risk of mugging and bag snatching, particularly on public transport. Avoid poorly-lit streets, parks and secluded areas after dark.

 

Be wary of accepting food and drink from strangers in bars, nightclubs and restaurants. Some visitors have been drugged and robbed.

 

Foreign tourists have been charged extortionate prices for drinks and had fraudulent transactions debited against credit/debit cards

 

Seek recommendations for bars and clubs from trustworthy sources. Vilnius Police publish a list of clubs where they have received the highest number of crimes reported.

 

Car theft is rife. Lock unattended vehicles and hide contents, including radios if possible. Use guarded car parks in cities, especially overnight.

 

There have been a number of recent thefts of bicycles in Vilnius.

 

Local travel

 

Remember to frank your ticket on the machine on board or you may be fined by undercover inspectors.  

 

Taxis are reasonably priced. Make sure the meter is used. It is cheaper and safer to phone for a taxi from a recognised company than to hail one in the street. Ask your hotel reception to call one. Do not use unregistered taxis

 

Road travel 

 

You can drive using a UK photo card driving licence. You must have suitable insurance and carry the original vehicle registration documents (copies are not acceptable).

 

Take care when driving, particularly at night. Equip your car for severe conditions in winter. Winter tyres are a legal requirement in Lithuania between 10 November and 1 April. Dipped headlights are compulsory all year round. Speed limits, unless otherwise indicated, are 50km/h in towns, 90km/h on country roads and 110km/h on highways.

 

Do not drink and drive. The legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.04%. Those found over the limit face a fine and possible imprisonment.

 

In 2013 there were 258 road deaths in Lithuania (source: Department for Transport). This equates to 8.7 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 2.8 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2013.

 

When arriving in Lithuania with a car, border officials will ask for:

 

a passport with a validity of at least six months

Original vehicle registration documents (copies are not acceptable)

International vehicle insurance (Green Card)

See the European Commission,AA and RAC guides on driving in Lithuania.

 

Winter travel

 

Be prepared for extremely cold and possibly hazardous weather if you intend to travel to Lithuania in the winter (October to March). There is likely to be snow on the ground and temperatures may drop to -25 degrees Celsius or below.

 

Local travel - Klaipeda, Nida and Palanga

 

If you intend to walk along the Curonian Spit be aware that after a short distance the Spit forms part of Kaliningrad, which is a territory of the Russian Federation.

 

Local laws and customs

 

Don’t become involved with drugs. Possession of even very small quantities can lead to imprisonment or heavy fines.

 

Health

If you’re visiting Lithuania you should get a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving your home country (EU nationals only). The EHIC isn’t a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but it entitles you to state provided medical treatment that may become necessary during your trip. Any treatment provided is on the same terms as Lithuanian nationals.  The EHIC won’t cover medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or non-urgent treatment, so you should make sure you have adequate travel insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation.

 

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. If you are referred to a medical facility for treatment you should contact your insurance/medical assistance company immediately.

 

Passport validity

 

Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay; you don’t need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this.

 

The Lithuanian authorities have confirmed they will accept British passports extended by 12 months by British Embassies and Consulates under additional measures put in place in mid-2014.

 

Visas

 

Holders of EU passports don’t need a visa to enter Lithuania.  

 

Staying for 3 months or longer

 

If you intend to live and work in Lithuania for a period longer than 3 months in any calendar half-year from the first day of your entry into Lithuania, you should apply for a residence permit from the Migration Department under the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Lithuania.