Looking for job opportunities in Lithuania? You're not alone — many foreigners are moving to Lithuania for work! EU nationals typically find it easy to get a job and settle in. Non-EU nationals must complete a few extra steps and get a document confirming their legal stay. Besides managing the paperwork, it’s also important to understand working conditions in Lithuania. Before moving to work in Lithuania, learn about work permits, average salaries to know what to expect and understand your rights. 

Employment Contract 

Before you start your job, you'll need a written employment contract. Make sure it's prepared in two copies. The contract should be in Lithuanian or in both Lithuanian and a language you both understand, so everything is clear for you and your employer. An example of the employment contract can be found here.

Notification to SoDra

Your employer must inform the local branch of the State Social Insurance Fund Board (SoDra) at least one business day before your job begins. If your employer does not notify Sodra about your employment, you will be working illegally and not paying taxes. Illegal work in Lithuania is prohibited and can lead to serious consequences. If you want to check whether your employer has reported your employment to SoDra, you can do so by obtaining the Employee Identification Code (known as dirbančiojo ID). Once the Employee ID is generated, it can confirm if a person is officially employed under a work contract, conducting self-employed activities, or has been seconded to Lithuania. Employees can obtain the ID by logging into their Sodra account here and selecting the option "Transparent Employee ID" in the menu, or by submitting a request at a SoDra office (processing may take up to 3 business days).

Contract Effectiveness 

Your employment contract officially takes effect when you start working. 

Salary  

Your contract should specify a salary that meets legal standards. Your monthly salary or hourly wage must be at least the minimum wage set by the Lithuanian government. The minimum wage is constantly changing, and you can check it here. Currently, the minimum monthly wage is €924 before taxes and €709 after taxes, and the minimum hourly wage is €5.65 before taxes, applicable only for unskilled labor. 

Unskilled labor is work that doesn’t require special qualifications or professional skills. Your contract may also include details on bonuses, allowances, or other types of additional compensation. 

Importantly, your salary should not be lower than that of a Lithuanian employee doing the same job at the same company.  If you work on a day off that is not scheduled according to your work schedule, you must be paid no less than double the employee's wage. The same applies to work on national holiday days.

Work Hours 

Your contract must clearly state your working hours, usually 40 hours per week, unless a different arrangement is agreed upon. It should also outline how your hours are scheduled. 

On average, your total working time (including overtime) cannot exceed 48 hours per week. Daily working hours should not go beyond 12 hours, and you shouldn't work more than 60 hours in a week. You also shouldn't work more than 6 consecutive days in a 7-day period.  

Minimum rest requirements

Not later than after 5 working hours, you must have a break of 30 minutes to 2 hours, unless you have agreed with your employer on a split working day schedule. During this break, you can leave the workplace. You should also have at least 11 consecutive hours of rest between workdays.  

Employer Obligations 

Before you start working, your employer must provide written information about your work conditions, workplace rules, and safety and health requirements. This includes details about your work location, job description, job title, contract duration (if fixed-term), annual leave, salary, payment schedule, and your daily or weekly work hours. 

Your employer is responsible for a safe and healthy work environment. This means the workplace should prevent injuries and health hazards, use only safe equipment, and provide necessary safety training before you start.  

Annual Leave 

You’re entitled to 20 working days of annual leave (excluding public holidays). At least one part of your leave must be no shorter than ten working days if you work a five-day week. Some employees might be eligible for additional leave, such as paternity leave or sick leave. 

Parental Leave 

Parental leave can be up to 36 months (until the child is 3 years old). Single parents of a child under 14 or parents of a disabled child under 18 get 25 working days of annual leave. 

Additional Leave for Parents 

If you’re raising a child under 12 in Lithuania, you can take special leave (known as mamadienis and tėvadienis). Each parent gets one extra day off every three months. Parents of two children under 12 get one extra day off per month, and parents of three or more children under 12 get two extra days off per month. 

Special Circumstances:

• 5 days of unpaid leave for participating in a funeral
• 3 days of unpaid leave for their own wedding

Termination of Employment Contract

In Lithuania, companies must follow a standard procedure to properly dismiss an employee, which includes a grievance procedure, valid reason, notice and severance pay.

• By Mutual Agreement: The contract can be terminated by mutual agreement, with notice given 5 working days in advance.
• Employee Resignation without Valid Reasons: If the employee resigns without serious cause, they must notify the employer at least 20 calendar days in advance. No severance pay is provided in this case
• Employee Resignation due to Valid Reasons: If the employee has a serious reason (e.g., layoff, unpaid wages, illness), they must notify the employer within 5 working days. If the employment lasted more than a year, a severance pay of two average salaries is given; if less than a year, one salary’s worth.
• Employer Initiative when Employee is not at Fault: The employer must notify the employee at least 1 month in advance (or 2 weeks if the employment lasted less than a year). Severance pay is the same as for employee-initiated termination due to valid reasons.
• Employer Initiative when Employee is at Fault: The employer can terminate the contract without notice and severance pay if the employee seriously breaches their duties.
• At Employer’s Discretion: The employer can terminate the contract and pay severance equivalent to six months’ average salary, with notice given at least 3 working days in advance.

Complaints and Reports

State Labour Inspectorate (known as Valstybinė darbo inspekcija) examines the reports and complaints about possible labour law and occupational safety and health law violations.