Temporary protection: Lithuania
🛰️ Varta monitors 5 official sources for this country — checked daily.
Legal basis: EU Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55/EC + national law • status valid until 04/03/2027 • already extended until 04/03/2028
Steps
- 1
Cross the border
Visa-free entry.
📍 Border crossing💳 Free - 2
Register at the Migration Department
Apply for laikinoji apsauga at the Migration Department (under the Interior Ministry). You receive a residence permit with temporary protection — work, healthcare, education.
📍 Migration Department⏰ As soon as possible💳 Free - 3
Sodra, healthcare, school
Social benefits via Sodra (social insurance). Healthcare via insurance. Children to local schools.
📍 Sodra / school💳 Free
Documents
Foreign passport
requiredChild’s birth certificate
requiredProof of residence before 24.02.2022
if availablePhoto
requiredUkrainian Embassies and Consulates
Map
Document samples and how to fill them
First name and surname in LATIN letters as in the passport.
Format YYYY-MM-DD.
Foreign passport number.
Address in Lithuania.
❌ Name in Cyrillic ❌ Date format (in Lithuania the year comes first)
As in the passport.
Personal code (if issued).
Family members (for child money).
❌ Incomplete family data ❌ Date format
Benefits
Labour market access
Protection holders.
How to apply: Automatic; Employment Service for jobs
Social benefits (Sodra)
Protection holders; children, vulnerable groups.
How to apply: Local Sodra office
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Where to apply
Migration Department
What happens after protection ends
After protection: leidimas gyventi on other grounds (work, study, family), permanent residence after 5 years.
What happens when protection ends
These are options for the future — you will need to choose ONE, and not now.
These routes are available outside temporary protection — work, study, family, business, etc.
The description below is a general scheme, similar across countries. Check exact requirements, fees and timelines via the official link in each card — they differ by country and change over time.
💼 Work-based residence — Lithuania
Those with a valid employment contract in this country.
Passport; employment contract; proof of residence. Authority: Migration Department.
- Foreign passport
- Employment contract
- Proof of residence
- Health insurance (optional)
Migration Department
The employer or the applicant files; the immigration authority decides.
Before the current status or permit expires.
- Collect the card/decision
- Register address and social number
Renewable together with the contract.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🎓 Study — Lithuania
Enrolment at an accredited institution.
Acceptance letter; proof of funds; housing; insurance.
- Foreign passport
- Acceptance letter
- Proof of funds
- Health insurance (optional)
Migration Department
Apply via the institution or the immigration authority.
Before the semester starts.
- Register at the institution and locally
Yearly with continued studies.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
👨👩👧👦 Family reunification — Lithuania
Spouse, children or relatives of a resident or citizen.
Marriage/birth certificates; housing; sponsor income.
- Foreign passport
- Marriage/birth certificate
- Sponsor income proof
- Proof of residence
Migration Department
The sponsor or family files; documents need apostille and translation.
Before the current status expires.
- Collect the family member card
Renewable; a path to permanent residence.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🏢 Self-employment/business — Lithuania
Company or self-employment registration; business plan or contracts.
Registration documents; tax number; funds; housing.
- Foreign passport
- Company/self-employment registration
- Business plan or contracts (optional)
- Proof of residence
Migration Department
Register the business, then apply for residence as an entrepreneur.
Before the current status expires.
- Tax registration and bank account
Tied to the company activity.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🏠 Permanent residence — Lithuania
Usually after 5 years of continuous legal residence.
Stable income; housing; integration/language per national rules.
- Foreign passport
- Income proof
- Proof of residence
- Language/integration certificate (optional)
Migration Department
Apply once the required residence period is met.
After the required residence period is met.
- Obtain permanent resident status
Permanent status; card replaced periodically.
Temporary protection time often counts towards the period (per national rules).
Opportunities: housing, jobs, grants
7 verified programmes: housing support, job portals, business grants, free courses — with direct official links and verification dates. Available with Varta.
Forms & samples (PDF)
FAQ
Do I need to do anything to keep my protection after the current period?
Protection does not roll over by itself: the digital residence permit is valid until 4 March 2027 and must be replaced — file the change request in your MIGRIS account (www.migracija.lt), then attend a Migration Department office in person for biometrics with a valid biometric passport. On 13 Aug 2026 the Migration Department said the replacement round will run "at the end of this year", but the exact opening date has not been announced yet — it promised a separate announcement, so watch its news from October–November 2026. The deadline is 04.03.2027. Where: Migracijos departamentas prie LR vidaus reikalų ministerijos. Apply online in the MIGRIS system (your personal account at www.migracija.lt, section «Esu asmuo, pasitraukęs iš Ukrainos dėl karo veiksmų» → application to replace the permit). Then a mandatory in-person visit by appointment to any client service unit of the Migration Department (biometrics + original documents). Important: 1) The opening date for the 2026/2027 round has NOT been announced yet. On 13.08.2026 the Migration Department wrote only «Šių metų pabaigoje reikės pasirūpinti dokumentų keitimu. Informacija bus skelbiama papildomai». Last year the equivalent round opened on 3 November (applications) and 4 November (appointment booking) — but that is no promise for this year; check the date on the Department's website. 2) 04.03.2027 is the expiry date of the permit itself, not an officially announced application deadline. The Department advises applying 4–5 months before expiry, because replacement decisions take up to 2 months; if you apply late, the new document may not be issued before the old one expires. Source: https://migracija.lrv.lt/lt/naujienos/laikinoji-apsauga-ukrainieciams-pratesta-iki-2028-m-kovo-4-d-moO (checked 03.09.2026).
Where do I apply for protection?
At the Migration Department (under the Interior Ministry) in your city. Current guidance: help.unhcr.org/lithuania.
Can I work?
Yes, laikinoji apsauga grants work rights without extra permits.
What benefits are available?
Via Sodra: child money, social aid for vulnerable groups. Exact amounts per the Lithuanian system.
This information is for reference only and is not legal advice.