Why should you declare your place of residence?
All people living in Lithuania must declare their place of residence within one month of changing their place of residence or coming to live in the country.
You must declare your place of residence or you may lose access to all benefits and services. It is also worth remembering that if you do not submit a residence declaration within one month, or if you provide incorrect or false information, you could face penalties.
Other reasons why you should declare your residence:
- Letters, parcels and other important information (relating to pensions, pensioner’s certificates, benefits, building plans for neighboring areas, etc.) will not reach you.
- In the event of a disaster, medics and firefighters may be delayed in their search for the scene.
- Important letters from other authorities (courts, bailiffs, police, etc.) will not reach you.
What are the advantages of declaring your place of residence?
It is often the case that when people move to a new home, they are in no hurry to change their declaration of residence or leave it at a relative’s house. Especially if you are renting and plan to live in your current place temporarily. However, if you do not declare your new place of residence, you lose out on many privileges and life facilitating conditions as an option:
- Get offers for kindergartens and schools;
- Register with local medical facilities and get compulsory health insurance;
- Vote;
- Get social benefits, concessions, etc.
Who is obliged to declare their place of residence?
All permanent residents of Lithuania are obliged to declare their place of residence. A permanent resident of Lithuania is defined as a citizen or a foreign national who has a residence permit in Lithuania and who resides in Lithuania for more than 180 days per year. However, even if you are permanently resident in Lithuania, you may have to change your place of residence. You must therefore declare it:
- If you have moved to a new home;
- If you have moved to Lithuania from abroad;
- If you move to Lithuania; If you have a child.
How do I declare my place of residence in Lithuania?
The good news is that declaring your place of residence in Lithuania is easy. If you are a Lithuanian citizen, you can do it simply online or at your nearest district or municipality. Below you can find more information on the documents required, how to find your place of residence and how to declare it without problems.
Prepare your documents
Lithuanian citizens need to submit:
- A certificate of declaration of residence.
- Passport or ID card of a citizen of the Republic of Lithuania.
- Birth certificate or extract from the birth certificate when declaring the place of residence of a minor citizen of the Republic of Lithuania.
- Documents proving guardianship or representation.
- Documents proving ownership or other lawful possession, use or disposal of the premises or building where you live.
- Separate consent from the owner of the accommodation or the co-owners that you can live in the accommodation belonging to them.
- Documents proving your right to move to the new place – lease or tenancy agreement.
Documents required for foreign nationals:
- All documents listed above
- Passport or identity card of a citizen of a Member State of the European Union or a citizen of a Member State of the European Free Trade Association.
- A document confirming that you have the right to reside in the Republic of Lithuania.
- Temporary residence permit for the Republic of Lithuania, long-term resident permit for the Republic of Lithuania, temporary residence permit card for a family member of a citizen of the Union or residence permit card for a family member of a citizen of the Union.
Where can I declare my place of residence in Lithuania?
If you are moving into your own new home, declaring your place of residence is quite simple. As we have already mentioned, you only need to have additional documents proving ownership. However, you can also successfully declare your residence in a rented property.
To declare your residence in a rented property, you must get the landlord’s consent and also present the rental agreement or use agreements (utility bills, internet bills, etc.). The declaration of residence is automatically terminated at the end of the rental contract, but you can renew it again.
What if I don’t have a place to declare my place of residence?
If you are temporarily without a place to live or have no way of declaring your residence, you can contact your local municipality. They will add you to the list of persons who do not have a declaration of residence.
How to declare your residence in other premises
If you have furnished premises with a separate address, you can register your residence there. However, the premises must be capable of being occupied, for example, you cannot register on a plot of land that is not occupied, even if it has an address assigned to it.
Declaring my place of residence in Vilnius and where to go to declare my place of residence?
The easiest and fastest way for Lithuanian citizens to declare their place of residence is online through the Electronic Government Gateway. Your identity is already verified there, you just need to submit a certificate of declaration of residence together with proof of ownership of your home or the homeowner’s agreement that you want to declare your residence. The validation of the application takes place in real time or upon confirmation by the landlord.
In Vilnius, you can declare your residence at the nearest district office or at Vilnius City Hall.
Foreign nationals cannot declare their place of residence online. They must first obtain a residence permit in Lithuania from the Migration Department. They can then go to the nearest district or municipality. However, when you apply for a residence permit at the Migration Department, the Migration Department can also prepare a declaration of residence.
Tips to make it easier to change your place of residence
Changing your place of residence and declaring it when you move to a new home is only a small part of the process. Moving, even to a nearby property, can cause a lot of confusion and stress. Here are some tips to help make the transition easier.
Prepare in advance
If you are planning to move to Lithuania or change your place of residence, make sure you prepare in advance: make a list of the necessary documents, find a place to live and, if you are renting, arrange with the landlord to give you the opportunity to declare your residence. Once you have all the necessary documents and a relocation plan, it will be quicker and less stressful when the time comes.
Get to know your new place
Even if you are only moving to a new area in your hometown, it is worth checking where the nearest shops, clinics, public transport stops, kindergartens and schools are. This will help you to plan your time more conveniently and create new habits, and to find the necessary facilities closer to you.
Leave your belongings safely in the storage room
Moving to a new home is a joy, until you have to carry heavy boxes, try to find your way through the scattered items or find space for old furniture in your new home.
Even before you move into your new home, you can leave your belongings safely in the SPACE24 storage facility. We are based in Vilnius and welcome you any day of the week.
We offer more than 800 storage units in a variety of sizes, so you’re sure to find the right space for you. You can store just a few boxes or large furniture and home appliances. All our facilities are permanently secured and maintained, so you don’t have to worry about extra security.
If you want to make your move in Vilnius easier, visit our office at 48B Rinktinės Street or our website to find a storage facility for your belongings. We will listen to your needs and make a tailor-made price offer, designed just for you. Stop by!