The Law on the State Language of the Republic of Lithuania regulates the use of the state language in public life in Lithuania, its protection, oversight, and liability for violations of the Law on the State Language.
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Article 6
Heads of state and self-government institutions, bodies, services, as well as civil servants and officials, heads of the police, law enforcement services, communications, transport, health and social security and other institutions servicing the population shall have the knowledge of the state language in accordance with the categories of language proficiency established by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.
Article 7
The heads of state and self-government institutions, bodies and organisations, heads of communications, transport, health and social security, police and law enforcement services, trade and other institutions serving the population shall ensure that the population is served in the official language.
Article 7¹
Legal and natural persons, other organisations and their subdivisions selling goods and/or services in the Republic of Lithuania, except for natural persons selling goods temporarily in the Republic of Lithuania and natural persons who are not permanently engaged in the activity of selling goods, shall ensure direct service to the population in the state language at the level of proficiency in the Lithuanian language established by the Government. Exceptions may be made in cases provided for in the Law on Science and Studies of the Republic of Lithuania, where the requirement to speak the official language is considered to be an unjustified restriction of the right to work.
Article 7¹ shall enter into force on 1 January 2026.
Lithuanian language proficiency levels
There are six levels of proficiency in Lithuanian (from A1 to C2). More detailed descriptions of the levels here.
A1 - Beginner
A person is able to understand and use familiar basic expressions and basic phrases, to introduce himself or herself, and to converse if the interlocutor speaks slowly and clearly
A2 - Beginner
Can understand short, clearly structured spoken and written texts and frequently used expressions on common topics in everyday life, can write an advertisement or a letter, and can talk about themselves and their environment.
B1 - Independent User
A person can understand spoken and written texts on familiar topics, discuss various everyday and work-related subjects, and describe experiences, events, dreams, hopes, and desires both in writing and speech. They can explain reasons, opinions, or plans and complete typical document forms.
B2 - Independent User
A person can understand long and complex spoken and written texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including specialized discussions on professional subjects. They can speak fluently on various topics, explain viewpoints and opinions on discussed issues, and prepare official documents and texts on different subjects.
C1 - Proficient User
A person can understand a wide range of long, complex spoken and written texts and grasp their underlying meanings. They can express their opinions, views, and attitudes fluently and quickly. They can use spoken and written language flexibly and effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes.
C2 - Proficient User (Near-Native Fluency)
A person can easily understand everything they hear or read, including abstract, structurally complex, or linguistically intricate texts (manuals, textbooks, specialized articles, and literary works). They can express their opinions, views, and attitudes freely and precisely, capturing subtle nuances even in highly challenging conditions. They can compose complex letters, reports, academic articles, and other texts with a clear and logical structure.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is part of the United Nations System as the leading inter-governmental organization promoting since 1951 humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, with 175 member states and a presence in over 100 countries. IOM has had a presence in Lithuania since 1998.
IOM has established a Migration Information Center in Lithuania that provides information and services to migrants to facilitate their integration.
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