Fire and rescue services
Call 112.
Medical emergencies
Call 112.
Police
Call 112.
COVID-19
Call 1808.
We advise:
Exercise normal safety precautions in Lithuania.
Call 112.
Call 112.
Call 112.
Call 1808.
We advise:
Exercise normal safety precautions in Lithuania.
Exercise normal safety precautions in Lithuania.
Exercise normal safety precautions in Lithuania.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Violent crime is rare.
Drink spiking has been reported. Travellers have reported being drugged and robbed. Don't accept food or drink from strangers.
Car theft and car break-ins can occur. New or expensive vehicles are targeted.
Pickpocketing and bag snatching can occur. Most petty theft occurs on public transport and in bars and restaurants.
To protect yourself from crime:
Scammers target travellers on trains. They befriend travellers and ask personal questions to work out if they're worth robbing.
If you have concerns about your safety while on public transport, seek help from a transport employee.
File a police report at the nearest police station if you're a victim of crime. Get a copy of the report.
The Lithuanian police can provide translators. See Local contacts
You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you're connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.
Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.
More information:
You're required by law to carry ID with you at all times. You must present your ID to law enforcement officers when requested.
Demonstrations and protests
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people are rare but can turn violent.
To protect yourself during periods of unrest:
More information:
While there have been no recent terrorist attacks in Lithuania, they can still happen.
Terrorists have attacked some European cities. Terrorism is a threat worldwide.
More information:
Lithuania can experience severe weather, including extremely low winter temperatures.
Be careful when driving. Use winter tyres or chains.
Watch the media and other local news sources for weather advice, and be prepared.
Social acceptance of LGBTI people is not as widespread as in Australia. Individuals have sometimes been harassed. Public displays of affection may attract unwanted attention.
More information:
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave.
Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
If you're a non-EU citizen, you must have travel insurance. If you don't have insurance, you may have to buy it at the border.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
If you have immediate concerns for your welfare, or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Lithuania. Take enough legal medication for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription and a dated letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
Make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date before you travel.
More information:
Tick-borne diseases are a risk in forested areas. Ticks are common from spring to autumn, and care should be taken when undertaking any outdoor activity, when camping and when in forest or farming areas. The Lithuanian Ministry of Health states ticks can lead to tick-borne Encephalitis or Lyme Borreliosis.
Get the annual seasonal flu shot to minimise your risk of swine flu or influenza A(H1N1) (World Health Organization).
COVID-19 remains a risk in Lithuania.
More information:
Medical professionals are highly trained, and some speak English.
Private medical facilities are well-equipped. However, public facilities don't meet Australian standards.
Doctors and hospitals require up-front payment before treating you.
In an emergency, you may need to be evacuated. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Penalties for drug offences, even when you only have small amounts, include heavy fines and imprisonment.
More information:
The blood alcohol limit is 0 % up to 0.04% depending on your driving experience and type of vehicle being driven. Severe penalties for drink-driving include:
Surrogacy
There are no legal or regulatory policies on surrogacy in Lithuania. Seek independent legal advice.
The Australian Embassy in Warsaw (accredited to Lithuania) can't provide:
More information:
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Lithuania recognises dual nationality. However, if you're a Lithuanian-Australian dual national, there are limited consular services we can provide if you're arrested or detained.
Lithuanian males aged 18 and above have military service obligations. You may have to do military service if you're a male Australian-Lithuanian dual national. This applies even if you're of Lithuanian descent and were born outside Lithuania.
Always travel on your Australian passport to and from Australia.
If in doubt, contact the nearest Lithuanian Embassy or Consulate to check your dual nationality status.
More information:
Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering.
Lithuania is part of the Schengen area, which sometimes allows you to enter without a visa. Border crossings may be delayed or temporarily blocked. Always carry your passport even within the Schengen area.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest Lithuanian embassy or consulate for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
You will require a Russian visa for entry via the Curonian Spit, and you should be aware of visa requirements when entering or departing through Belarus. Visa requirements for Belarus differ depending on whether travel is by air or road.
Children
You must provide a consent letter from at least one of the parents if a child:
The letter must be notarised by a Lithuanian or Australian notary or the closest Lithuanian diplomatic office.
Any adult accompanying the child must have their details in the letter, including their:
If you're a non-EU citizen visiting Lithuania, you must show proof of valid travel insurance.
If you arrive without travel insurance, you may have to buy it at the border.
More information:
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.
More information:
Lithuania's official currency is the Euro.
Declare amounts over 10,000 euros or equivalent if you're travelling between Lithuania and any non-European Union (EU) country. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.
If you fail to declare or you give incorrect information on entry or exit, authorities will fine you.
You should check with local authorities in the countries you're leaving, entering or passing through whether you must declare higher amounts of currency.
You need a Russian visa to visit the southern portion of the Curonian Spit. The Spit is divided between Lithuania and the Russian Federation at the Nida border crossing.
Travelling by road via the Curonian Spit will require a visa. If, despite our advice, you travel by road through Belarus, you'll also require a visa. Rules regarding visa requirements differ when flying directly into and out of Minsk. Read the travel advice for Belarus.
Localised disruptions to some cross-border road and rail transport services can happen.
If you travel by road or train, allow extra time to cover disruptions.
Always carry your passport even within the Schengen area.
To drive in Lithuania, you need both:
Permanent residents of Lithuania need to apply for a local licence. Refer to The State Enterprise Regitra.
More information:
Driving in winter can be dangerous due to snow and icy conditions. Black ice on roads is a common hazard.
Snow clearing is efficient in cities. However, highways and roads in rural areas can be blocked for long periods.
By law, you must:
Contact your car hire provider for updates on car rental requirements, including the minimum age.
More information:
Lithuania has strict guidelines for motorbike use, including wearing helmets and reflective clothing.
Always wear a helmet.
Use reputable taxi companies that use meters.
Private taxis may refuse to use meters and may overcharge you.
Look for the company logo before getting in. You decide whether or not to pay a tip.
In winter, heavy snow can disrupt train travel.
Towns have limited public transport.
Have the right ticket to avoid fines.
More information:
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Lithuania's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 112.
Call 112.
Call 1808.
Call 112.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
Australia has an Honorary Consul in Vilnius, Lithuania. The office provides some consular assistance but can't issue passports or perform notarial acts.
Vilniaus St 23
LT-01402, Vilnius, Lithuania
Phone: (+370) 5 212 3369
E-mail: australia@consulate.lt
For full consular assistance, contact the Australian Embassy in Poland.
Rondo ONZ 1
8th floor
00-124 Warsaw, Poland
Phone: +4822 521 3444
Fax: +4822 5213443
Website: poland.embassy.gov.au
E-mail: ambasada.australia@dfat.gov.au
Twitter: @AusAmbPoland
Facebook: @AustraliainPolandandCzechRepublicandLithuania
Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.