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Pathway

Lithuania Startup Founder Residence

Lithuania Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

Lithuania's Startup Visa program lets founders apply to live there to develop an innovative business. First, official experts assess the startup. If they approve it, you can apply for residence on that basis.

Who can apply
Active founders of innovative startups
Business review
Official expert assessment required
Local activity
Establish or develop the startup in Lithuania

Summary

Lithuania’s startup residence route supports founders developing an innovative business locally, with reviewers assessing the project and the founder’s active role before the residence stage. Business approval does not itself issue the permit. A passive investment or an ordinary small business does not qualify on that basis alone.

Startup assessment precedes the MIGRIS residence application
  1. Prepare the founder and innovative-business proposal Document the project, funding, background, and intended Lithuanian activity.
  2. Complete the Innovation Agency assessment The experts decide whether the startup qualifies for the program.
  3. Apply for residence after a positive assessment Meet the required company-setup timetable and ongoing reporting obligations.

A favorable business assessment is not itself a residence permit or a guarantee of approval.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

EEA means the EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

More about this route

Someone with a concrete, documented project can explore this route before the business assessment. A Citizeo match does not predict the panel’s decision.

What This Route Allows

An approved residence permit supports the founder’s relocation and development of the startup in Lithuania. The program removes certain ordinary business capital or employment requirements; it does not eliminate the need to finance the project.

After arrival, the founder must complete the required business setup and maintain the qualifying activity. The program guide explains company establishment, family arrangements, and practical settlement steps. Confirm the current permit duration and renewal conditions in MIGRIS.

What This Route Is Not

This is not automatic residence for buying a company, holding shares, freelancing, or having an untested idea. A positive startup assessment is not itself a residence permit. Permission to work in another EU country does not follow automatically.

Next Steps

  1. Prepare the startup proposal, founder background, funding plan, and intended Lithuanian activity.
  2. Follow the Innovation Agency’s Startup Visa assessment process.
  3. After a positive assessment, complete the residence application through MIGRIS.
  4. Follow the required timetable for business setup and ongoing reporting.

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Similar entrepreneur / start-up pathways in other destinations.

Sources