Lithuania is facing labour shortages in several sectors, but mostly in manufacturing, construction, healthcare, food production and hospitality.
Taking into account labour shortages, the Lithuanian authorities have adopted and simplified some measures to attract foreign workers – including war refugees – into their labour market.
In this instance, the “Labor Market” test for migrant workers was suspended for Ukrainians, allowing them to work without clearance from the Lithuanian Employment Service.
Aleksandras Masaliovas, a partner at CEE Attorneys in Lithuania, said last month that these measures facilitated immediate access to employment for temporarily displaced persons.
The number of war refugees from Ukraine working in Lithuania has doubled in 2023 and at the moment it exceeds 26,000. Ukrainian war refugees are mostly employed in transport, production, wholesale, and retail trade industries.
Furthermore, he added that all these industries have been experiencing labour shortages in recent years.
Whereas according to the European Labour Authority (EURES), Lithuania is facing a shortage of workers in the following occupations:
- Woodworking machine tool setters and operators
- Upholsterers and related workers
- Toolmakers and related workers
- Tailors, dressmakers, furriers and hatters
- Structural metal preparers and erectors
- Specialist medical practitioners
- Special needs teachers
- Plumbers and pipefitters
- Plastic products machine operators
- Plasterers
- Packing, bottling and labelling machine operators
- Mechanical engineering technicians
- Insulation workers
- House builders
- Heavy truck and lorry drivers
- Hand launderers and pressers
- General medical practitioners
- Food and related products machine operators
- Floor layers and tile setters
- Electrical mechanics and fitters
- Electrical engineers
- Electrical engineering technicians
- Earthmoving and related plant operators
- Early childhood educators
- Cooks
- Construction managers
- Concrete placers, concrete finishers and related workers
- Carpenters and joiners
- Cabinet makers and related workers
- Butchers, Fishmongers and related food preparers
- Bus and tram drivers
- Building frame and related trade workers not elsewhere certified
- Building and related electricians
- Bricklayers and related workers
- Bakers, pastry-cooks and confectionery makers
- Agricultural and industrial machinery mechanics and repairers
This implies that foreigners who belong to any of the above-mentioned jobs, have higher chances of securing a work visa if they wish to work in Lithuania.
In an effort to help foreigners integrate into the labour market, Employment Service, an agency under the Ministry of Social Security and Labor of Lithuania, is financing language courses for both job seekers and those already employed. In this instance, they have invited foreigners to learn the Lithuanian language, for everyday life and for work purposes.
Lithuanian language training programs are organised for EU, European Free Trade Organization citizens and their family members living in Lithuania. Also for citizens of third countries who have a residence permit in Lithuania.
Do You Need a Visa to Work in Lithuania?
Citizens coming from EU/EEA countries don’t need a visa in order to work in Lithuania, but they must register their stay after three months in the country.
Whereas the non citizens of EU/EEA countries are required a work visa, and they must choose between four work permits, depending on their job application.
Although Lithuania requires work visas for several countries, according to VisaGuide.World, it is the EU’s second easiest country to secure a work visa, after Estonia.
Moreover, Lithuania was listed among best EU countries to work for those who wish to have a four-day working week. In 2021, the Lithuanian government enacted a legislation that allows parents with young children to work four days a week, equivalent to 32 hours per week.
