Medical Studies in Lithuania: Costs, Entry and Licensing (2026)

Last updated: October 2026

Why consider medical studies in Lithuania?

Lithuania has two universities that teach Medicine fully in English: the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) in Kaunas and Vilnius University (VU) in the capital. Both admit students from outside the EU every year, and between them they cover almost every route into medical studies in Lithuania for English speakers.

The appeal of medical studies in Lithuania is a mix of things: an EU degree, tuition that is lower than in many Western European countries, English teaching, and a cost of living that is manageable for most students. That said, it is not cheap, it is not easy to get in, and you will have to learn Lithuanian. We cover all of that below.

Which medical programmes can you study in English?

For medical studies in Lithuania, LSMU offers the widest choice. Its 2026/27 fee list for English-taught programmes includes four integrated (long-cycle) degrees, plus nursing, health-related bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees such as Applied Public Health.

Medicine at LSMU is 360 ECTS credits and leads to an MSc in Health Sciences with the qualification of Medical Doctor. Vilnius University medicine for international students is also a six-year programme and leads to the Medical Doctor qualification.

LSMU medicine tuition fees and Vilnius University fees for 2026/27

Fees for medical studies in Lithuania are set per academic year, and both universities have raised them over time, so treat these as this year’s prices, not a fixed price for your whole degree. LSMU charges less in the early years than in the clinical years.

The LSMU figures come from its official tuition fees page. The Vilnius University figures come from the Senate’s 2026/27 fee decision for foreign-language programmes. For comparison, VU charged €13,000 a year for Medicine in 2025/26, so budget for rises.

At this year’s rates, the LSMU medicine tuition fees add up to about €78,300 over six years, and six years at VU would be about €84,600 if the fee did not change. Dentistry at LSMU comes to about €69,000 over five years. These are tuition only.

On top of tuition, LSMU charges a non-refundable application fee of €150. Vilnius University charges €100 to apply and €200 for its online entrance exam. For a wider comparison with other courses, see our guide to tuition fees in Lithuania.

Living costs on top of tuition

Living costs are the other half of the budget for medical studies in Lithuania. You also need to cover rent, food, transport, books, health insurance and visa or residence permit fees. Rather than repeat numbers that change every year, we keep an up-to-date breakdown in our guide to living expenses in Lithuania for students.

Remember that the migration authorities will also ask you to prove you can support yourself. Our guide to Lithuania student visa proof of funds explains how much you need to show and in what form.

Admission requirements for medical studies in Lithuania

Each university runs its own admission for English-taught Medicine, so there is no single national exam for international applicants who want to start medical studies in Lithuania. Here is what each one asks for at the time of writing.

LSMU (Kaunas)

• A secondary school leaving certificate in English or with an authorised English translation, plus transcripts showing you passed Biology and Chemistry.
• Proof of English, for example IELTS above 5.5, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Duolingo (minimum 95) or another certificate at B1 or above. If you have none, you sit the university’s own English test.
• A motivation letter, a copy of your passport and a passport-type photo.
• An online entrance test: an interview first, then a 90-minute multiple-choice exam with 30 Biology and 30 Chemistry questions. If you miss the interview, the test is cancelled.

For the 2027 intake, LSMU opens online applications on 1 November 2026. Entrance tests and interviews run from 12 January to 15 July 2027, and the application deadline is 6 July 2027. Applying early gives you more test dates to choose from and more time for your visa.

Vilnius University medicine for international students

• Completed secondary education with Biology (Natural Sciences counts as equivalent). Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics are seen as an advantage.
• English at B2 level, for example IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 81, unless you are exempt.
• A motivation letter that answers the questions listed on the programme page.
• An online entrance exam, unless you hold an accepted test result or school qualification and the faculty agrees you can skip it.
• For non-EU/EFTA applicants, no more than five years since your last secondary or higher qualification.

In the 2026 round, VU’s deadline was 1 May for non-EU applicants, who had to sit the entrance exam by 14 May. The 2027 dates were not yet published when we checked, so watch the VU Medicine admission page.

Documents checklist for African applicants

• School leaving certificate and transcripts (for example WAEC, NECO, KCSE, ZIMSEC or NSC results), translated into English if needed.
• An apostille on your education documents if your country is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention; otherwise legalisation by your foreign ministry, and in some cases double legalisation.
• An English test certificate, or proof that you qualify for an exemption.
• A valid passport with plenty of time left on it.
• Your motivation letter, written by you and specific to medicine.

Paperwork is where many applications for medical studies in Lithuania stall. Start the apostille or legalisation process early, because it often takes longer than the application itself. If you would like help putting your file together, our application support team can review it with you.

How the course and clinical practice work

At LSMU, years 1 to 3 cover the foundations, such as anatomy, histology, genetics, neurosciences, immunology and metabolism. Years 4 to 6 are clinical modules and clinical practice. LSMU says 32 non-university hospitals across Lithuania are accredited for its students’ clinical practice, and clinical groups have up to 10 students. Teaching uses problem-based learning and simulation equipment.

At Vilnius University, you rotate through clinical placements at teaching hospitals and in the community after the early science years. The final year of VU Medicine is built around an internship, which can be done in Lithuania or abroad.

Whichever university you choose, the clinical half of medical studies in Lithuania means talking to patients. Most patients in Lithuanian hospitals speak Lithuanian, which brings us to the part many applicants underestimate.

Do you need to learn Lithuanian?

You do not need Lithuanian to be admitted to the English programmes. You will, however, study it as part of your degree, and it matters more every year you are there.

• LSMU includes Lithuanian language in year 1 and again in years 2 and 3 of the Medicine curriculum.
• Vilnius University requires all Medicine and Dentistry students to take Lithuanian for six consecutive semesters. VU says basic Lithuanian is obligatory for clinical courses and for a final-year internship in Lithuania, that students must reach at least B2 by the end of the course and obtain a certificate, and that without it they cannot continue their studies.

Lithuanian also matters outside the hospital. Since 1 January 2026, foreigners who sell goods or provide services to customers must show basic Lithuanian (A1 in their first two years of residence, then A2), according to Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT. That affects many of the part-time jobs students take. Treat the language as a core subject, not an extra.

Licensing and working as a doctor after graduation

Completing medical studies in Lithuania gives you the basic medical qualification. To practise in Lithuania you also need a medical doctor licence. According to LSMU, the internship and doctor qualification are validated, and the licence is issued, by the State Health Care Accreditation Agency under the Ministry of Health. VU notes that Lithuanian is required when obtaining the licence.

If you want to specialise in Lithuania, residency lasts 3 to 6 years depending on the specialty. At LSMU, residency and its final exam are in Lithuanian, and applicants need a B2 Lithuanian certificate and a medical doctor licence.

Within the EU, basic medical training listed in Annex V of Directive 2005/36/EC is automatically recognised across member states. But the European Commission notes that non-EU nationals generally fall outside the Directive except in specific circumstances. If you are not an EU citizen, do not assume a Lithuanian degree lets you practise anywhere in Europe automatically. Check the rules of the country where you want to work.

Countries such as the UK, the USA and your home country have their own licensing exams and registration rules. Research them early, ideally before you choose a university, so you can plan electives and exams around them.

If you plan to stay and work after you graduate, read our guide to the post-study temporary residence permit.

Honest downsides to weigh up

• Cost. With tuition of €12,800–€15,000 a year for Medicine and Dentistry, plus living costs, this is a big financial commitment over five or six years. Fees can rise during your studies.
• Competition. Places are limited. VU’s Faculty of Medicine enrolled 115 students in English-taught Medicine and 40 in Dentistry in 2026, so you need a strong science background and a careful application.
• Language. You will be studying Lithuanian alongside a demanding medical degree, and progress can depend on it.
• Time. Medical studies in Lithuania take five or six years before you can apply for a licence, and specialising takes years more.
• Climate and distance. Winters are long and dark, and you will be far from family for long stretches.
• Recognition outside the EU. Your degree is not a licence to practise elsewhere; each country has its own process.

Is it worth it to study medicine in Lithuania?

For a motivated student who wants to study medicine in Lithuania, is strong in Biology and Chemistry, can fund the full course, and is willing to learn Lithuanian, the answer can be yes. You get an EU medical degree taught in English, small clinical groups (up to 10 students at LSMU) and a realistic route to a licence in Lithuania.

If your budget only covers the first year or two, or you are not ready for the language, it is better to wait or look at other options than to start and struggle.

Frequently asked questions

How much do medical studies in Lithuania cost per year?

For 2026/27, Medicine costs €12,800 a year in years 1–3 and €13,300 in years 4–6 at LSMU, and €14,100 a year at Vilnius University for non-EU students. Living costs come on top.

Can I study medicine in Lithuania in English?

Yes. Both LSMU and Vilnius University teach their full six-year Medicine programmes in English. You will still study Lithuanian during the course, and you need it for clinical work with patients.

Is there an entrance exam?

Yes, in most cases. LSMU uses an online interview plus a Biology and Chemistry test. Vilnius University has its own online entrance exam, though some test results or school qualifications can exempt you.

Is IELTS required?

You need proof of English, but IELTS is only one option. LSMU accepts several tests or its own English test, and VU asks for B2 level or an exemption. Our guide on whether IELTS is mandatory in Lithuania explains more.

Can I work as a doctor in Lithuania after graduating?

You can apply for a medical doctor licence, but you will need Lithuanian, and specialist residency is taught and examined in Lithuanian with a B2 requirement. You will also need the right residence permit.

Medical studies in Lithuania are a serious, six-year commitment, and the right choice depends on your grades, budget and long-term plans. If you would like to talk it through, book a free consultation with us and we will help you work out whether it fits.