This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the General (Customs Regulations) section (the list of EU countries that have limits on tobacco duty has been amended).  The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.  Please read “Security and General Tips” and “Risk of Terrorism when Travelling Overseas” pages on the FCO website for further information and advice.

 

Crime

 

There is a risk of mugging, pickpocketing and bag snatching, particularly on public transport.  Avoid poorly lit streets, parks and secluded areas after dark.  There has been a recent increase in pickpocketing in bars and restaurants.

 

Be wary of accepting food and drink from strangers in bars, nightclubs and restaurants.  Some visitors have been drugged and subsequently robbed.

 

Car theft, particularly of/from new or expensive cars, is rife.  Lock unattended vehicles: conceal all contents (and radios, if possible).  Major cities have guarded car parks: use them if at all possible, especially overnight.

 

For more general information see:  Victims of Crime Abroad

 

Political Situation

 

Lithuania Country Profile

 

LOCAL TRAVEL

 

Tickets for buses and trolley buses in Vilnius and Kaunas are best bought from a news kiosk (spauda).  They cost more if bought from the driver. Tickets should be franked on the machine on board. If they are not - or you are travelling without a ticket at all - you will be fined by undercover inspectors.

 

Taxis are widely available in the major cities and are reasonably priced.  However, do make sure there is a visible meter and that it is being used.  It is cheaper and safer to phone for a taxi from a recognised company rather than to hail one in the street.  Ask your hotel reception to call one for you if necessary.  Do not use taxis that are unmarked; they are illegal and usually cost a lot more than registered taxis.

 

Tourists walking along the Curonian Spit should be aware that after a short distance the Spit forms part of Kaliningrad, which is territory of the Russian Federation.

 

Road Travel

 

Road traffic accidents are common.  Extra care must be taken at all times, when driving, particularly when driving at night. In 2005 there were 760 road deaths in Lithuania (source: DfT).  This equates to 22.2 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.5 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2005.

 

If driving into Lithuania in winter, equip your car for severe conditions.  Winter tyres are a legal requirement in Lithuania between 10 November and 1 April.  Dipped Headlights are also compulsory all year round.

 

The speed limits, unless otherwise indicated, are 50km/h in towns, 90km/h on country roads and 110km/h on highways.

 

If you do not have a UK photocard driving license you will need to also carry either an international driving license or your passport.

 

Do not drink and drive.  The legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.04%.  Those found over the limit face a fine and possible imprisonment.

 

When travelling by car, border officials will ask for the following documents:

You will also need to have appropriate car insurance valid for Lithuania.

 

For more general information see the: Victims of Crime Abroad

 

Air Travel

 

The revised EU-wide security measures that came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports in November 2006 are also being implemented in Lithuania.  For more details about this please see: Dft Airline Security

You should not become involved with drugs.  Possession of even very small quantities of drugs can lead to imprisonment and/or heavy fines.

 

For more general advice for different types of travellers see the Travel Checklists

Visas

Holders of British Citizen passports do not require visas to enter Lithuania.  Holders of other categories of British passports may require visas and should contact the Lithuanian representation in the UK.

 
Staying for three months or longer

British Citizens intending to live and work in Lithuania for a period longer than three months in any calendar half-year from the first day of their entry into Lithuania should apply for an EC Residence Permit from the Migration Department under the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Lithuania at: http://www.vrm.lt/index.php?id=124&lang=2.

 
Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Lithuanian Embassy in London:  Lithuanian representation in the UK.

The Form E111 is no longer valid.  You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK.  The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Lithuanian nationals.  You will not be covered for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature.  For more information about how to obtain the EHIC please see:  Europe and the EHIC.

 

You should seek medical advice about inoculations against rabies and tick-borne encephalitis if you intend to visit forested areas.

 

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.  NHS Direct (0845 46 47) can provide you with advice on the vaccination requirements for Lithuania.

 

For further information on endemic diseases, health outbreaks and vaccination requirements for Lithuania you should check the websites of NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel

 

For more general health information see the Travel Health

Insurance
 
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  Please see:  Travel Insurance
 
If things do go wrong when you are overseas see What We Can Do To Help.
 
Issuing replacement passports

The British Embassy cannot issue passports locally but it can issue temporary passports.  The Embassy can arrange for replacement passports to be issued via our Embassy in Warsaw.  They can arrange for the application to be sent by courier (this will be at your own expense) and aim to issue a replacement passport within 15 days.  Otherwise an application can take up to six weeks to process.
 
European Union
 
Information on the EU can be found at:  Travelling and Living in the EU (pdf) and Britain in the EU.
 
Travel to Klaipeda, Nida & Palanga
 
Those wishing to travel to Klaipeda, Nida and Palanga should be aware that we now have an Honorary Consul, Mark Uribe, to assist you should you have any difficulties.  His number is: 8-699 33210 and the address of the Honorary Consulate is: Zveju 2/513, Klaipeda.
 
If you intend to walk along the Curonian Spit you should be aware that after a short distance the Spit forms part of Kaliningrad, which is territory of the Russian Federation.
 
Customs Regulations
 
Travellers entering the UK from European Union countries do not normally pay any UK tax or duty on excise goods they have bought tax and duty paid in EU countries for own use. But there are special rules for cigarettes and some other tobacco products from some EU countries.
 
The UK is maintaining limits on the amount of cigarettes and some tobacco products that travellers are able to bring in to the UK for own use from nine European Union Member States (including Lithuania), without paying UK duty.
 
The limits are:
 
Estonia - 200 cigarettes or 250g of smoking tobacco.
 
Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia - 200 cigarettes.
 
Anyone who is carrying more than the limits should pay UK duty on those goods by entering the Customs red channel or by using the red point telephone. If travellers enter the Customs blue channel with more than the limits, then all of their tobacco may be seized.
 
Money
 
New legislation on the controls of cash entering or leaving the EU will apply in all Member States from 15 June 2007.  Any person entering or leaving the EU will have to declare the cash that they are carrying if this amounts to 10,000 euros or more; this includes cheques, travellers' cheques, money orders, etc.  This will not apply to anyone travelling via the EU to a non-EU country, as long as the original journey started outside of the EU nor to those travelling within the EU.
 
The official currency of Lithuania is Litas (Lt).  Major credit cards are widely accepted and ATM machines can be found in most banks and hotels.  There are numerous currency exchange kiosks in the capital Vilnius and travellers cheques can be cashed at some banks.
 
You should ensure that any Sterling you take to Lithuania is in Bank of England notes.  Banks and Bureaux de Change have refused to exchange Scottish or Irish notes, as they do not recognise them as Sterling.