Emigration has been increasing from Lithuania and its population has continued to fall, from 3 million during the 2011 census to an estimated 2.81 million at the beginning of 2018. During 2017, the number of foreign nationals residing in Lithuania increased by 0.8% to 49 400 at the beginning of 2018, equivalent to 1.75% of the total population. Non-EEA citizens accounted for 86% of foreign residents. Of these, almost half held long-term residence permits.
Lithuanian emigration rates are among the highest in Europe, and outflows continue to increase. In 2017, 57 300 people left Lithuania, compared with 50 300 in 2016 and 44 500 in 2015. In 2016, the United Kingdom remained the main destination (46%), followed by Ireland (8%), Norway and Germany (8% each). As in 2015, 49% of all emigrants in 2016 were aged between 15 and 34 years. The share of Lithuanians among emigrants was 92%, much higher than in 2015 (80%).
Immigration fell to 22 100 and 20 200 in 2015 and 2016 respectively, slightly less than in the previous two years. A steep increase is observed in 2017 – up to 29 500. In 2016, 71% of immigrants were returning Lithuanian nationals (down from 83% in 2015); 27% of the foreign nationals were Ukrainians and 19% were Belarusians. Net emigration in 2016 stood at 30 200, much higher than in 2015 (22 400); it fell in 2017 to 27 800.
The number of work permits issued by the Ministry of Social Security and Labour in 2016 was 19 700, up from 6 900 in 2015, an almost three-fold increase. These included 1 100 permits for workers posted from another EU country. Most work permits (81%) went to drivers of international freight vehicles employed by Lithuanian firms and work mostly in other countries. Construction workers received 9% of the permits.
International study in Lithuania continues to increase, as enrolment by Lithuanian nationals declines. The total number was 6 600 in academic year 2016/17, compared with 6 200 in 2015/16 (6% of total enrolment). The number in full degree programmes rose from 4 700 to 5 000. The largest groups of foreign students came from Belarus (17%) and India (11%).
Lithuania received 600 asylum applications in 2017, up from 425 in 2016 and 180 in 2015, according to the Migration Department. Of asylum applicants in 2017, 38% were Syrians and 15% were Russians. Refugee status was given to 280 and 13 received subsidiary protection. Lithuania agreed to accept about 1 100 refugees under the European relocation and resettlement scheme. As of mid-February 2018, Lithuania had relocated and resettled about 470 refugees, of which 350 had already left Lithuania.
2 400 people had their citizenship reinstated in 2017 (pre-1940 Lithuanian citizens and their descendants). 170 foreign citizens were naturalised in 2017.
In 2017, the requirement to apply for a work permit was exempted, along with the labour market test, for workers whose occupation is on the national occupational shortage list. Reforms to the EU Blue Card implemented in 2017 include a new list of 27 professions requiring high professional qualifications; foreigners in these professions may immediately apply for the EU Blue Card and are exempted from the labour market test. The salary threshold was also lowered from two to 1.5 times the average salary (from EUR 1 496 to EUR 1 122) and 5 years professional experience is now recognised as equivalent to a higher education qualification.
Also in 2017, changes were made to the investor permit to reduce the risk of fraudulent use of small enterprises to obtain a residence permit. The permit for members of an enterprise’s collegial management or supervisory body was eliminated, although an additional option was created for heads of certain large enterprises with no personal investment in the firm.
The EU intracompany transferee (ICT) Permit became available in Lithuania in September 2017 following transposition of the EU Directive. The minimum salary for ICTs in Lithuania was set at EUR 380 monthly. The permit is valid for up to three years and allows family to accompany the worker and to seek employment in Lithuania.
Since 2017, international students in Lithuania have more favourable conditions. Upon graduation, there is no labour market test to start employment that matches their qualification. During their studies, employment rights (up to 20 hours per week) are granted immediately after receiving a temporary residence permit instead from the second year of studies.
Outreach to emigrants and the Lithuanian diaspora occurs under the Global Lithuania programme. Among the activities in this Programme, Invest Lithuania ran a project “Attracting talents to Lithuania” to promote Lithuania as an attractive country for highly qualified job seekers of Lithuanian or foreign origin. “Match your talent LT” job fairs with large Lithuanian employers were organised in 2016 and 2017. A specialized website was launched (workinlithuania.lt).
