This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Lithuania. For more in-depth information, review OSAC’s country-specific page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password.

Travel Advisory

The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Lithuania at Level 1, indicating travelers should exercise normal precautions. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System.

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

Crime Threats

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Vilnius as being a MEDIUM-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.

Various crimes occur near the train and bus stations; avoid these areas late at night. Most reports of crime come from Old Town Vilnius. The massing of tourists there leads to an influx of criminals. Pickpocketing and thefts from unattended coats, purses, and bags, or those on the backs of chairs at restaurants/cafes are the most common threat. Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind.

Using credit cards at hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and chain grocery stores is acceptable. However, cash is the recommended method of payment outside of larger cities. Review OSAC’s reports, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud and Taking Credit.

Residential thefts due to open windows, unlocked doors, and weak security features are common. During the summer, only open windows not accessible from the outside.

Vehicle break-ins usually are the result of valuables left in plain sight.

Most violent encounters occur between 2200-0600 and involve individuals who are alone and/or inebriated. Travel in groups, especially at night, and avoid dim parks and streets.

In 2019, 51,449 criminal offenses were reported, a decrease of 11% from 2018. Criminal data analysis showed an increase in reports of crimes committed using weapons (150%, but based on a very small number), crimes against children (9.9%), theft from public places (5.2%), extortion (15%), and vehicular manslaughter (15.7%). However, reports of rape (-19%), homicides (-22.7%), and sexual assault (-10.9%) all decreased in 2019.

Foreigners, ethnic minorities, and members of the LGBTI community have been subject to robberies, and racially-motivated verbal and sometimes physical harassment. This tends to occur late at night near bars and nightclubs.

Organized crime exists and is the focus of several law enforcement entities. Organized criminal groups are typically involved in gambling, smuggling, nightclubs/bars, cybercrimes, and financial schemes. Due to its membership in the Schengen Area and location between Belarus and Kaliningrad, each of which is a significant source of criminal activity, Lithuania is a transit state for smuggling activity. The State Border Guard Service has registered an increase in smuggling activity (primarily cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, and petrol) on the Kaliningrad-Lithuania and Belarus-Lithuania borders.

Refuse invitations from strangers to come into local bars; this is a ploy. Criminals extort patrons for large amounts of cash with the threat of physical harm if they refuse to pay for supposedly purchased drinks. The scam normally involves young women and men who speak excellent English. Review OSAC’s Report Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad.

Cybersecurity Issues

Lithuanian officials continue to report an increase in cybersecurity and cybercrimes. Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband?

Transportation-Safety Situation

Road Safety and Road Conditions

In large cities, road conditions generally meet Western European standards. Outside of city centers and off major throughways, road conditions often deteriorate. The roadways typically lack proper lighting. Exercise care when driving after dark outside of city centers. Travel at night by car or legitimate taxi.

Seat belts are mandatory for the driver and all passengers. Children under the age of three must sit in the back seat in a child seat appropriate for their age and size. You must have at least your low-beam lights on at all times while driving. Pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks.

Lithuanian drivers can be aggressive; drive defensively.

Lithuania has very snowy winters. Road conditions can deteriorate quickly with a heavy accumulation of snow. Conditions deteriorate further in early winter, when there are less than six hours of daylight.

Police have a zero-tolerance policy for drinking and driving; penalties are severe. Police increasingly use random roadblocks, speed traps, and breathalyzer tests. Drivers in vehicles departing ferry terminals are often subject to breathalyzer tests. As of 2017, driving with a blood alcohol content over .04 BAC is punishable under the criminal code by fines of up to several thousand Euros, arrest, or imprisonment, and the revocation of a driver’s license for up to ten years. Additionally, the legal drinking age in Lithuania has recently increased to 20 years of age from 18.

Solicitation of bribes by authorities and highway police is a concern. Drivers stopped by highway police for speeding infractions are subject to official adjudication with final payment, if necessary, paid through a bank. Under no circumstances should travelers pay money directly to a police officer.

In addition to a valid U.S. driver’s license, U.S. nationals must possess an International Driving Permit. This permit allows driving in Lithuania for 185 calendar days; anything thereafter requires a Lithuanian driver's license. Drivers must always carry a driver’s license, insurance, registration, etc. in the vehicle.

If involved in a traffic accident, moving vehicles from the accident site could constitute an admission of guilt or a hit-and-run violation. Lithuanian law requires you to leave your vehicle where it is, and immediately notify the police by calling 112. The phone number for roadside assistance is 8-800-01414 from a regular phone, and 1414 from a GSM mobile phone.

Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the State Department’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad.

Public Transportation Conditions

Public transportation (e.g. bus, trolleybus) generally provides reliable, safe, and economical services. The bus service consists of a network of lines serving Vilnius and the suburbs. Additional urban transport systems include a transnational train system. Although there are some concerns about the consistency of timetables and speed of travel, the public transportation system provides several alternatives to personal vehicle use.

Taxi and ride-hailing companies generally provide reliable, safe, and economical services. Avoid independent cabs that do not display a company name prominently. Remain alert to the potential for substantial taxi overcharging, particularly in areas tourists frequent. Expect higher charges when hailing a cab on the street or at a taxi stand. Radio-dispatched or app-based taxis services are often much more reliable and affordable. Review OSAC’s report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.

Aviation/Airport Conditions

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has assessed the government’s Civil Aviation Authority as compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization aviation safety standards for oversight of Lithuania’s air carrier operations.

Terrorism Threat

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Vilnius as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. There are no known indigenous terrorist organizations in Lithuania, which is not a known base of support or sympathy for transnational terrorists. Lithuania faces the same threat of international terrorism as other Schengen Area countries. Lithuania is a staunch ally in the U.S. fight against terrorism and has implemented aggressive measures to protect itself.

Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Vilnius as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The geopolitical situation in Eastern Europe has raised concerns that events, unrest, and tension could affect the Baltic countries. There is no indication of these broader regional issues extending to Lithuania, but travelers would do well to stay abreast of current events in the news and post-specific information.

Civil Unrest

Demonstrations and acts of civil disobedience are generally limited and peaceful. Recent demonstrations have protested government policy on pensions, salaries and social benefits, and education relating to minority groups -- especially ethnic Poles. Authorities require permits for public demonstrations involving more than 15 persons. The government’s permit process typically identifies demonstrations in advance. Authorities monitor protests closely. Most public demonstrations are generally small, attracting fewer than 100 participants. Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest.

Religious/Ethnic Violence

There has been an increase in reports of race-related incidents during the last few years. This uptick appeared to coincide with Europe’s refugee crisis, and though the number of reports decreased in 2019, there are still occasional comments by fringe elements against refugees, signifying that the underlying sentiment is still present in certain elements of the population.

Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment

There have been a few, small, peaceful demonstrations in front of the U.S. Embassy over the past several years.

Post-specific Concerns

Environmental Hazards

Falling ice from buildings can be a substantial problem in the winter and spring, and has caused deaths and injuries; slippery roads and sidewalks also present a substantial problem during these periods.

Flooding can be an issue in low-lying areas near rivers during the spring thaw.

Economic Espionage/Intellectual Property Theft

The main intellectual property issues are copyright infringement and the sale of counterfeit trademarked merchandise. According to industry sources, bulk distribution of counterfeit goods has dropped in recent years, but distribution of counterfeit goods in small packages is up.

Personal Identity Concerns

Small, fractional fringe element groups of neo-Nazis, skinheads, and other far-right wing extremists are present but rarely impact foreigners. There have been reports of unprovoked harassment and violent attacks against persons who, because of their complexion, are singled out. Those most at risk are those of African, Asian, Hispanic, or Middle Eastern descent.

Same-sex sexual activity is legal. While reported incidents of violence and harassment targeting LGBTI+ communities are rare, the LGBTI+ community is not widely accepted. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for LGBTI+ travelers.

Lithuania’s Law on Equal Treatment prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities. Public transportation generally has reserved seats for individuals with disabilities. In bigger cities, low-floor trolleybuses and buses have special signs. For assistance getting on or off a train, contact the railway information center by telephone at (370) (5) 269-2121; free assistance is not available at all stations. At the airport, special assistance call buttons for persons with reduced mobility are located in the car parking lot, by the bus stop, and at the departing passenger boarding point on the second level of the passenger terminal. There are wheelchair-accessible bathrooms and elevators in the arrival and departure terminals.

Reserved parking places for disabled individuals on roads and in car parks have a wheelchair symbol. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for travelers with disabilities.

Drug-related Crimes

Combating drug-related crimes is a priority for police agencies. The rate of illegal drug use has increased in recent years; in 2019, the number of drug-related offenses was 3,048, a sharp increase from the 1,860 offenses in 2017, although lower than the 3,151 related offenses in 2018. Lithuania is primarily a transit country for heroin and cocaine.

Other Issues

Lithuanian customs regulations are strict for the temporary importation or export of firearms and antiquities. Read the State Department’s webpage on customs and import restrictions for information on what you cannot take into or out of other countries.

Police Response

The emergency line in Lithuania is 112. Police are professional and competent, but suffer from a lack of resources and low salaries. Police tactical skills, resources, and emergency response capabilities still fall short of U.S. law enforcement standards in many respects. The number of police officers has dropped significantly in the last five years due to budget constraints. The number of police officers in 2019 is approximately 7,950, which is a decrease of 292 officers from 2018, and far lower than the 9,520 officers in 2015. Police response times can vary from several minutes to an hour, depending on the nature of the call, time of day, call volume, and resource constraints. Significant traffic congestion and delays often hamper emergency police and medical responses. To respond to the needs of visitors, police concentrate vehicular and foot patrols in tourist and highly populated areas.

Due to the regional scope of organized crime networks and activities, law enforcement cooperates closely with counterparts in the EU, the Baltic countries, Russia, and, to a lesser degree, Belarus.

Incidents of police harassment and unjust detention are rare. In the event police detain or harass a U.S. national, comply with instructions. Request an interpreter and a representative from the U.S. Embassy immediately.

Victims of crime should report immediately to the local police station. After reporting the incident to the police, U.S. nationals unable to communicate with authorities because of a language barrier should call the U.S. Embassy Consular Duty Officer at (+370 5) 266 5500.

Medical Emergencies

The emergency line in Lithuania is 112. Most medical services are available in Vilnius, Klaipeda, and Kaunas. The quality of these services, however, may not be up to U.S. standards. Outside major cities, the quality and variety of medical aid compared to the U.S. standard is much lower and more limited. Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy website.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with Lithuanian State Medicines Control Agency (SMCA) under the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania to ensure the medication is legal in Lithuania. Always, carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription.

Payment is expected upon admission at private hospitals. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Review the State Departments webpage on insurance overseas.

The following diseases are prevalent: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE); Lyme disease; and Rabies. Use CDC-recommended insect repellents containing either 20% DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 to help diminish bites from ticks and other insects if you intend to visit parks or forested areas. Those who will be camping or have prolonged outdoor exposure should pretreat clothing and equipment with permethrin. Tick-borne encephalitis vaccinations are as a series of three doses. The vaccine is not available in the United States. Those who will be living in Lithuania or those with shorter visits with extensive outdoor activities in wooded areas should receive the vaccine. There are no vaccines against Lyme disease.

Sexually transmitted diseases are a growing public health problem. There are annual measles outbreaks in Lithuania; travelers born 1957 or later should have two doses of MMR vaccine. The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for Lithuania.

OSAC Country Council Information

There is no active Country Council in Lithuania. Contact OSAC’s Europe team for more information.

U.S. Embassy Contact Information

Akmenų g. 6, Vilnius, LT-03106

Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 0800-1800. Closed for U.S. and Lithuanian holidays

Telephone: (+370-5) 266-5500; U.S. Embassy Consular Duty Officer at (+370 5) 266 5500

Website: https://lt.usembassy.gov/

Helpful Information

Before you travel, consider the following resources:

• OSAC Risk Matrix
• OSAC Travelers Toolkit
• State Department Traveler’s Checklist
• Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)