There isn’t a single simple answer to this question. The feeling of being part of a local community may come differently and for different reasons to everyone. And it’s one of the most wonderful feelings—knowing you’ve found a new home and belong here. It would be hard to achieve this by staying at home, so we encourage you to take every possible opportunity to explore Lithuania and meet the people who live here.

If you plan to build your future in Lithuania, one of the most important steps is learning the Lithuanian language. While you might manage by speaking English or Russian, it will be much harder to earn the trust of locals. All the information about learning Lithuanian can be found here. Even if you start by learning only how to say hello and thank you in Lithuanian, you’ll already receive many smiles!

The number of foreigners in Lithuania is growing, and residents of larger cities are already accustomed to people of various nationalities and ethnicities. However, if you visit a smaller town or village, you might still receive curious looks—don’t take it personally.

As in any country, to ease your integration, try to be friendly and polite—interact respectfully in public places and avoid being overly familiar. Try to keep your voice low if you are chatting with someone on the phone in public transport or in any other public place. Lithuanians are considered quite reserved and introverted people, but once you get to know them better, you’ll realize this impression isn’t always accurate. Men and women in Lithuania have equal rights, so keep this in mind and maintain respect when interacting with strangers, public officials, or friends. It’s important to keep agreements and maintain punctuality. Be open and tolerant, even if some Lithuanian traditions or habits seem strange to you—like Christmas Eve fortune-telling or egg painting during Easter.

Food – until you’ve tried cepelinai, you can’t really talk about integration. Lithuanians enjoy seasonal dishes: in winter, they indulge in potato pancakes or Samogitian pancakes (žemaitiški blynai) and cepelinai; in summer, they refresh themselves with cold beet soup (šaltibarščiai). Year-round, they enjoy tree cake (šakotis) and fried bread. In summer, there are even food festivals: in Vilnius, cold beet soup, strawberry, and beer festivals are becoming increasingly popular. Kėdainiai is famous for cucumber and ice cream festivals, while Žagarė hosts the traditional cherry festival.

Free Services for Foreigners

Do you have questions that only locals can answer? MiCenter offers free consultations to assist with career planning, legal questions, and other aspects of living in Lithuania. You can also register for psychological consultations or join mental health and psychosocial support groups. IMPORTANT: These services are available to all third-country nationals.

MiCenter Events

Newcomers need not only practical help but also a friendly community and new connections. MiCenter organizes events in English and Russian, tailored to various age groups and interests. These events welcome both foreigners from all over the world and Lithuanians. Particularly popular are storytelling events, where participants share their experiences. Annual events include Christmas fairs and culture days celebrating various holidays. Warm friendships also form in the Lithuanian Language Club, where Lithuanians and foreigners gather to improve their language skills in informal sessions every Wednesday evening. Information about MiCenter events is posted on their Facebook page and Telegram channel.

Events in Lithuania

Lithuania offers excellent opportunities to live an active social and cultural life. Popular international artists often visit the country, and local musicians’ concerts also attract many people. During various celebrations, free concerts are organized (for example, the annual festival Jaunas kaip Vilnius, Midsummer (Joninės), and Žolinės festivals). In summer, Lithuanians love outdoor events, while the theater season begins in autumn. If you want to visit the legendary Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theater, you should hunt for tickets to popular performances as early as summer.

Cultural enthusiasts should be aware of initiatives like Museum Night, Cinema Spring, Street Music Day, Sostinės dienos, Sea Festival (Klaipėda), Culture Night, Kaunas Jazz Festival, and more.

Where to Find Events in Your City?

Vilnius: Vilnius Events, Made in Vilnius Learn more about Vilnius at Neakivaizdinis Vilnius.

Kaunas: Kas vyksta Kaune

All of Lithuania: Ką veikti, Bilietai.lt, Mzirafos

Volunteering

As an old saying goes, giving is better than receiving. The opportunity to contribute to others’ well-being positively affects our own. You won’t believe how volunteering can improve your quality of life. Volunteering opportunities exist in various organizations. Information is usually provided in Lithuanian, but depending on the activity, opportunities may also be available for foreigners. You can inquire with the Red Cross, Maltese Order, Food Bank, or Caritas. Volunteering opportunities across various organizations in Lithuania are also listed on Žinau viską and Sava Platforma. By volunteering, you’ll not only contribute to meaningful causes but also gain valuable connections and new skills.

Social Media

Social networks are full of active foreigner groups where both Lithuanians and foreigners discuss everyday topics and invite each other to events. Active Facebook groups in various cities include Foreigners in Vilnius, Foreigners in Kaunas, Foreigners in Klaipėda, Expats and Foreigners in Lithuania, and others. The Joiner app, which is quickly gaining popularity among foreigners and locals, allows people to join events and various activities together.