Lithuania. The place is it? What’s it like? What’s day by day life like there?
You’ll have these questions when you have not been to the small Baltic nation – and likelihood is you haven’t.
COVID hammered tourism within the area, whereas the Ukraine struggle brought about many vacationers to cancel or postpone their journeys to Lithuania, in response to native media outlet LRT.
However now Lithuania is making a bid for a selected sort of traveller: digital nomads.
Is it straightforward to get a visa for Lithuania?
Lithuania is a part of the European Union and the Schengen zone. So if you’re an EU citizen, you’ll be able to keep for as much as 3 months with out registering within the nation.
From the UK, US, Australia, South Korea, New Zealand or Japan? There’s a fast-tracked, simplified visa which may usually be obtained in a few months after making use of.
The necessities for this visa are that you just have to be employed or self-employed, have a clear prison document, medical insurance and earn the Lithuanian minimal wage which is €600.
Travellers from different nations ought to verify Lithuania’s official web site to seek out out what visas are required.
However, compared to different European nations, it’s faster, simpler and cheaper to get a visa in Lithuania if you’re from a 3rd nation.
The nation is hungry for labour to gas its surging economic system and it’s not swamped with purposes like different locations within the EU.
An additional advantage is {that a} Lithuanian Short-term Residence Allow lets you journey throughout the Schengen Space, along with your passport, for 90 days each 180 on a rolling foundation.
What’s the price of residing in Lithuania?
Lithuania isn’t any Turkey, a spot famend for its low-cost costs for these on international incomes. However it is going to appear good worth if you’re from northern Europe.
A superb high quality craft beer in a bar will set you again round €3.50, whereas a hearty meal with drinks for 2 individuals is upwards of €30, however not more than €60.
However costs are rising – and quick. The Ukraine struggle has fuelled one of many highest charges of inflation in Europe in Lithuania, hitting 22 per cent in October.
How a lot is hire for digital nomads in Vilnius?
Nonetheless, hire stays low-cost in comparison with costs elsewhere in Europe.
A one-bedroom residence within the lifeless centre of the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, prices €600-800 a month, although cheaper choices can be found in the direction of the outskirts of city.
In the event you fancy it, a room in a flatshare in Vilnius is round €250-350 a month.
Previous soviet blocs can look a tad grim on the skin, however they had been constructed for livability not revenue, and have massive and well-lit rooms.
What are co-working areas like in Vilnius?
Vilnius has a thriving digital nomad scene.
Love comfort and attending to know your neighbours? Vilnius has co-living areas – self-contained blocks with shared workspaces, gyms, cinemas and sports activities amenities.
Suppose communism however for younger professionals.
Co-working areas are additionally vastly widespread, with Vilnius having all kinds of choices.
Expertise Backyard Lithuania is the Mecca of co-working environments. Spanning two flooring, it’s dwelling to a thriving group of greater than 200 younger professionals, providing versatile workspaces, digital abilities coaching and occasions. Plus free espresso, most significantly. Membership charges begin from €189/month + VAT.
Different co-working areas in Vilnius embody Workland Didžioji, Rock it, AltSpace and Areas.
Does Lithuania have quick wifi? Is it inexpensive?
It’s well-known that Lithuania has actually quick wifi. It takes fourth place within the EU and ninth in the complete world, with a median velocity of 45.11 Mbps.
Free wifi is broadly accessible in cafes and libraries. Residence web entry prices between €15 and €20 for premium packages.
What’s it prefer to distant work from Lithuania?
In the event you don’t fancy a co-working house, there are many different work areas in Vilnius. Cafes, devoted working areas and public libraries are throughout city,
So there are a number of locations to comfortably work and research both alone or with buddies.
Working in Vilnius College Library is a selected deal with. There’s a small membership price, however its Sixteenth-century structure, furnishings, work and home windows are merely stunning.
Be aware: Lithuania is two hours forward of the UK and one hour forward of mainland Europe. This can provide you extra leeway within the morning when you have had a late evening, however can hamper a fast end to the day.
What’s day by day life like in Lithuania?
Life in Lithuania is what you make it.
Virtually everybody speaks English, particularly younger individuals. So that you don’t want to fret about studying Lithuanian, although making an effort to be taught some is at all times appreciated by locals.
Lithuanian itself is an historic, but complicated, language, sharing grammar and phonology with Sanskrit. It was first spoken between 1500 – 600 BC in southeast Asia.
Even Lithuanians say they aren’t the friendliest individuals. Small discuss will not be within the tradition and Lithuanians know they will come throughout as reserved at instances.
However as soon as the ice melts, individuals are variety and thoughtful. Like in every single place, there are buddies and connections to be made.
There’s a budding group of ex-pats in Lithuania and the Fb group ‘Foreigners in Vilnius’ could be very useful.
Pack a coat as a result of winters are harsh, particularly from November to March. You may battle a bit at first, particularly if coming from a southern European nation.
Dunking your self in frozen lakes is a well-liked pastime right here. Give it a attempt or watch in disbelief from the sidelines.
Spring and summer season are really pretty although. Distinctive in European capitals, forests and parks are in every single place and at all times inside a brief strolling distance.
What’s Lithuanian meals like?
Like in most chilly nations, Lithuanian delicacies is not well-known outdoors its borders. It’s good for winter, if not a little bit unforgiving on the waistline.
Potato pancakes, pigs ears and ‘Cepelinai’ are conventional dishes. Named after the Zeppelin airship, Cepelinai are potato dumplings filled with meat. They’re one of many least expensive, most filling meals you’ll discover so good in case you’re on a price range.
Vilnius has a terrific array of eating places, particularly with meals from former communist nations. Chačapuri is a superb, cheap Georgian diner, whereas Viet.inės presents scrumptious, genuine Vietnamese meals and fairly an unconventional expertise – you’ll be able to sit and eat within the kitchen.
Is there good nightlife in Lithuania?
There actually is one thing for everybody in Vilnius’s nightlife scene.
The town is packed filled with bars, pubs and golf equipment, starting from younger and stylish to previous man haunts.
In the event you really feel like dancing all evening, Loftas, Tunelis and Opium usually play drum and bass, psytrance and techno music, whereas Salento is right for world music and pop.
There are many choices for the LGBTQ+ group.
As for bars and pubs, Busi Trecias has a comfy vibe, with picket interiors and board video games. Be sure to attempt the beer cocktails.
Plus, Plus, Plus is the most cost effective watering gap in Vilnius and is frequently packed filled with younger individuals and ERASMUS college students.
A really huge bonus to Vilnius is it at all times feels secure, with girls feeling snug strolling dwelling alone late at evening.
What are Lithuania’s vacationer sights?
Lithuania has an interesting historical past. Vilnius was as soon as often known as the ‘Jerusalem of the North’, owing to its massive Jewish inhabitants.
Strolling across the mediaeval Previous City is beautiful, with the realm packed full of gorgeous church buildings, parks, retailers and cafes.
There may be additionally a unusual impartial artwork republic in Uzupis, the place individuals maintain casual events and gatherings by the river in the summertime months.
It is likely one of the solely capital cities on the earth the place you’ll be able to take a scorching air balloon over the town.
Exterior of the capital, Kleapedia and Kaunas must be the primary cities to tick off your sightseeing listing.
Lithuania is in an fascinating a part of the world, surrounded by nations which have quite a bit on provide, which means loads of choices for worldwide journey.
Belarus, Latvia, Poland and Estonia are all reachable simply and cheaply by prepare or bus, the place there’s enjoyable and sightseeing available.
