ETIAS for Lithuania

Lithuania, the largest of the three Baltic states, is a full member of both the European Union and the Schengen Area, and it adopted the euro as its currency in 2015. That means it has no separate entry-authorisation scheme of its own — the same ETIAS used across the other Schengen countries will also apply to short visits to Lithuania once the system launches.

Getting to Lithuania

Most international travellers fly into Vilnius Airport (VNO), just a few kilometres from the capital and Lithuania's main gateway for long-haul and European connections. Vilnius itself has one of the largest surviving baroque old towns in Europe, and its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kaunas Airport (KUN) is a secondary hub popular with budget carriers, while Palanga Airport (PLQ) on the Baltic coast serves the seaside region around Klaipėda. Overland arrivals are also common from Latvia and Poland, both fellow Schengen members with open borders. Lithuania's short border with Russia's Kaliningrad exclave and its border with Belarus are external Schengen borders, where standard passport and document checks apply.

Do I need ETIAS for Lithuania?

Yes. Visa-exempt visitors — including citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Japan — will need a valid ETIAS to enter Lithuania once it becomes mandatory, expected in the fourth quarter of 2026. It makes no difference whether Lithuania is your only Schengen destination or one stop on a longer European itinerary: a single approved ETIAS covers entry into Lithuania and every other Schengen country for its full validity period.

How long does an ETIAS for Lithuania last?

An approved ETIAS is valid for three years, or until the traveller's passport expires, whichever happens first — the same rule that applies across the whole Schengen Area, Lithuania included. Within that period, travellers can enter and exit Lithuania and other Schengen countries as often as they like, provided they do not exceed 90 days of stay in any rolling 180-day period. The application fee is €20, waived for applicants under 18 or over 70, and most applications are approved within minutes, though some can take up to 30 days if additional checks are needed.