Lithuania

Violent crime is rare.

Drink spiking has been reported. Travellers have reported being drugged and robbed. Don't accept food or drink from strangers.

Petty crime

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:

• avoid walking alone at night
• keep car doors locked, windows up and valuables out of sight
• use guarded car parks where possible

Crime on public transport

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

Cyber security

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:  

• Cyber security when travelling overseas

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:

• avoid crowds, protests and demonstrations where possible
• monitor developments on the media
• follow advice from local authorities

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

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:

• Terrorism

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.

LGBTI safety

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:

• Advice for LGBTI travellers

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:

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. 

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

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:

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips (Healthdirect Australia)

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:

• what the medication is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use

More information:

• Medication

Measles

Make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date before you travel.

More information:

• Measles Outbreak 2019 (Department of Health and Aged Care)
• Measles immunisation service (Department of Health and Aged Care)

Other health risks

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:

• Infectious diseases
• Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania
• COVID-19 (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control)
• See the latest health and safety measures 

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.

Drugs

Penalties for drug offences, even when you only have small amounts, include heavy fines and imprisonment.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs
• Partying safely

Driving laws

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:

• heavy fines
• imprisonment
• losing your driver's licence

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:

• legal advice about surrogacy
• information on clinics

More information:

• Going overseas for international surrogacy
• Going overseas to adopt a child

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

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:

• Dual nationals

Visas

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:

• is travelling alone or with an unrelated adult
• lives in Lithuania

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:

• names
• dates of birth
• personal ID numbers (if relevant)
• passport numbers and ID cards (if relevant), including the issuing authority, issue date and expiry date

Travel insurance

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:

• Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Validity

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.

Lost or stolen 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:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier 

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:  

• LGBTI travellers 

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.

Border crossings

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.

Driving permits

To drive in Lithuania, you need both:

• a valid Australian driver's licence
• an International Driving Permit (IDP)

Permanent residents of Lithuania need to apply for a local licence. Refer to The State Enterprise Regitra.

More information:

·        Driving or riding

Road travel

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:

• use winter tyres from 10 November to 1 April
• always use headlights on low beam when driving
• have valid car insurance

Contact your car hire provider for updates on car rental requirements, including the minimum age.

More information:

·        Driving or riding

Motorcycles

Lithuania has strict guidelines for motorbike use, including wearing helmets and reflective clothing.

Always wear a helmet.

Taxi

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.

Rail travel

In winter, heavy snow can disrupt train travel.

Public transport

Towns have limited public transport.

Have the right ticket to avoid fines.

More information:

• Transport and getting around safely

Air travel

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:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Fire and rescue services

Call 112.

Medical emergencies

Call 112.

COVID-19

Call 1808.

Police

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.

Australian Consulate, Vilnius

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.

Australian Embassy, Warsaw

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.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia