Jobs in Lithuania for Foreigners 2026: Where the Demand Is

Last checked: November 2026

We are two Africans who moved to Lithuania ourselves, one from Cameroon and one from Zimbabwe, so we know what it is like to search for work here from far away. This guide explains where the demand really is, what jobs pay, how much Lithuanian you need, where to search and how to spot a fake offer.

Where the demand is: jobs in Lithuania for foreigners by sector

Lithuania has a shrinking, ageing workforce and a growing economy, so employers rely more and more on foreign staff. Around 150,000 non-EU workers were employed in the country in late 2025, about 11% of all employees, according to LRT. Roughly half of them work in transport and logistics, with construction second, then manufacturing, hospitality and IT.

Here is an honest picture of each sector in 2026.

IT, engineering and technical roles

This is where foreigners have the best chance in 2026. Vilnius and Kaunas host fintech companies, software houses, shared service centres and laser, electronics and life-science firms. Many of them work in English every day and are used to sponsoring permits.

These roles also tend to clear the salary bar. Some foreigners in this group qualify for the EU Blue Card instead of an ordinary work permit, and the Blue Card does not count against the quota.

Transport, manufacturing and construction

The European Employment Services (EURES) lists heavy truck drivers, welders, electricians, plumbers, machine operators, cooks and bakers among the jobs Lithuanian employers struggle to fill. These sectors employ the most foreign workers by far.

The honest downside: many of these jobs pay closer to the minimum wage than to €2,893.68. Since the quota filled, most employers in these sectors have paused hiring new workers from outside the EU. If this is your field, the realistic window is when the new quota opens, normally on 1 January, and it can fill within months.

Hospitality and healthcare

Restaurants and hotels in Vilnius often hire English speakers, and kitchens are short of cooks. But wages are low, so for now this route is mostly closed to new hires from abroad. Healthcare has real shortages too, yet doctors and nurses must have their qualifications recognised and normally need good Lithuanian to work with patients.

Example roles from the official shortage list

Lithuania no longer uses the old Employment Service list of about 110 professions in demand. That list was abolished from 2025. The list that matters now is the high value-added shortage occupations list approved by the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, which has around 91 entries in the version in force from 10 June 2026.

Jobs on this list get a lower salary threshold after the quota is used up (€2,411.40 instead of €2,893.68) and easier Blue Card conditions. Examples include:

• • IT: software developers, web developers, software testers, data scientists, database and network administrators, IT security specialists
  • Engineering: mechanical, electrical, electronics, automation, mechatronics, chemical and biomedical engineers, welding technologists
  • Science: chemists, microbiologists, genetic engineers
  • Technicians: electronics, electrical and mechanical engineering technicians

The list is amended during the year, so always check the current version on e-seimas or ask the employer to confirm your role’s code. For a full explanation of quotas and thresholds, read our Lithuania work permit 2026 guide.

What jobs in Lithuania pay in 2026

All Lithuanian salaries are quoted gross, before income tax and social insurance. Your take-home pay is noticeably lower, so always ask for the net figure too.

• • Minimum wage 2026: €1,153 gross a month. The government has approved a rise to €1,245 from 2027.
  • Average gross wage: about €2,616 a month in Q2 2026, up around 10% on a year earlier. Vilnius pays more than the rest of the country.
  • Permit thresholds: €2,411.40 (1× the 2025 average used for 2026 applications), €2,893.68 (1.2×) and €3,617.10 (1.5×, standard Blue Card).

In practice, IT, finance and engineering roles usually pay above the national average, while hospitality, retail and many warehouse jobs pay well below it. Living costs are lower than in Western Europe, but rent in Vilnius has risen fast, so do the maths before you accept an offer. Your pay must also be at least what a Lithuanian worker would earn in the same job.

Do you need to speak Lithuanian?

For many office and tech jobs, no. International companies in Vilnius and Kaunas run in English, and plenty of job adverts state “English required, Lithuanian is an advantage”. In factories, construction and transport, Russian is still widely used among staff, and some supervisors speak little English.

Lithuanian becomes essential if you want to work with the public: healthcare, teaching in state schools, public administration or customer-facing roles outside the capital. It also matters later, because permanent residence and citizenship require a Lithuanian language exam. Our advice is simple: start learning the basics before you arrive. Even a few phrases make a good impression in interviews.

Where to search for jobs in Lithuania

Use a mix of official portals and mainstream job sites:

• • Užimtumo tarnyba (uzt.lt): the Lithuanian Employment Service. Its vacancy database is official and free, and a vacancy registered here is often part of the legal hiring process.
  • Work in Lithuania (workinlithuania.com): run by the state agency Invest Lithuania, aimed at international professionals, with job listings in English, permit roadmaps and quota updates.
  • CV.lt, CVbankas.lt and CVonline.lt: the largest local job boards. Filter by English, or search in English keywords such as “English speaking”.
  • LinkedIn: the main channel for IT, engineering and corporate roles. Set your location to Vilnius or Kaunas and follow companies you like.
  • EURES and company career pages: many large employers post vacancies only on their own websites.

If you are already studying here, university career centres and the post-study route are a big advantage. Lithuanian graduates are exempt from the quota for a period after graduation. See our guides to the post-study residence permit and working while studying in Lithuania.

How hiring from abroad works

You cannot apply for a Lithuanian work permit on your own. The employer drives the process. A typical sequence looks like this:

1. 1. You get a real job offer from a company registered in Lithuania, usually after online interviews.
   2. The employer checks the rules: whether your role and salary fit under the quota, the post-quota thresholds or the Blue Card.
   3. The employer submits an invitation or mediation letter through the Migration Department’s MIGRIS system.
   4. You apply for the temporary residence permit (TRP) or Blue Card and give biometrics at an embassy or external service provider such as VFS.
   5. You wait for a decision, which can take up to 3 months, then travel, collect your permit and declare your address.

Check the steps on the Migration Department website. Your family may be able to join you later, as we explain in can I bring my family to Lithuania.

Red flags: how to spot a fake job offer

Job scams aimed at Africans and South Asians are common. Walk away if you see any of these:

• • You are asked to pay for the “job”, the “work visa” or a “quota place”. Lithuanian employers pay their own recruitment costs, and agencies may not charge workers a placement fee.
  • The offer promises a guaranteed visa or a start date within days, ignoring the quota.
  • The salary for a driver, cleaner or farm job is suspiciously high, or there is no written contract.
  • The company cannot be found in the Lithuanian Register of Legal Entities (Registrų centras), or uses only a Gmail address and WhatsApp.
  • Someone asks you to enter on a tourist visa and “sort out papers later”. This is illegal.

For more warning signs, read scammers are a real thing.

Frequently asked questions

Can a foreigner get a job in Lithuania without speaking Lithuanian?

Yes, especially in IT, engineering, shared service centres and international companies in Vilnius and Kaunas. Customer-facing, healthcare and public sector jobs usually need Lithuanian.

Is it still possible to get a work permit in late 2026?

Yes, but only if your salary meets the post-quota threshold, your role is on the high value-added list, you qualify for a Blue Card or you are exempt, for example as a recent Lithuanian graduate. Lower-paid jobs usually have to wait for the next quota year.

What is the minimum salary in Lithuania in 2026?

The minimum wage is €1,153 gross a month. The average gross wage was about €2,616 in the second quarter of 2026.

Which jobs in Lithuania are easiest for foreigners to get?

Historically, truck driving, warehouse, construction and factory jobs. In late 2026, skilled IT and engineering roles are easier, because they meet the salary thresholds.

Do I need an agency to find a job in Lithuania?

No. You can apply directly through uzt.lt, Work in Lithuania, local job boards and LinkedIn. If you do use an agency, check it is registered and never pay to be hired.

Plan your move with people who have done it

Finding jobs in Lithuania for foreigners takes patience, especially in a year when the quota is full. If you want help with your CV, targeting the right employers or understanding your permit options, see our career guidance and work visa support, or book a free consultation and we will talk it through with you.