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Table of Contents
Provider Comparison
This table compares the account-opening process across the most popular options for foreigners in Lithuania. Requirements differ significantly between EU and non-EU citizens, and between traditional banks and licensed fintechs.
| Provider | Online | English | No asmens kodas | EU citizens need | Non-EU citizens need | Time to open | Monthly fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revolut | โ | โ | โ | Passport / ID | Passport | ~10 min in app | โฌ0 | Open |
| Paysera | โ | โ | โ | Passport / ID | Passport | ~24 hours | โฌ0 | Open |
| Wise | โ | โ | โ | Passport / ID | Passport | Minutes | โฌ0 | Open |
| SEB | โ video | โ | โ | ID + address | Passport + residence permit | 1โ5 days | Verify | Open |
| Swedbank | โ | โ | โ | ID + address | Passport + residence permit | 1โ5 days | Verify | Open |
| Luminor | โ | โ | โ | ID + address | Passport + residence permit | 1โ10 days | Verify | Open |
Last updated: 31 July 2026. Requirements may vary โ always confirm directly with the provider before proceeding.
โ Verify before publishing. Monthly fees and exact document requirements must be checked against each provider's official Lithuanian pricing and onboarding pages. Do not publish placeholder figures on a YMYL page.
Our recommendation for most foreigners:
How to Open a Bank Account in Lithuania
Choose a fintech or a bank โ fintech = passport only, bank = usually needs an asmens kodas โ apply online or in branch โ verify your identity โ receive your card
There are two routes: fully online with a licensed fintech, or through a traditional bank. Which one is open to you depends mostly on whether you already have residency and an asmens kodas.
Online account opening
Revolut, Paysera and Wise let you open accounts entirely online โ no branch, no residence permit, and you can do it before you arrive in Lithuania.
- Download the app and start the registration
- Enter your personal details โ name, address, nationality, tax residency
- Photograph your passport or EU ID card
- Complete identity verification โ usually a short selfie video
- Receive your IBAN and a virtual card, often within minutes
- Your physical card arrives by post, typically within a week
Revolut takes roughly ten minutes. Paysera usually approves within about 24 hours.
Traditional bank opening
Swedbank, SEB and Luminor generally expect you to be a resident. SEB is the notable exception โ it can complete the process during a video meeting rather than requiring you to attend a branch.
- Book an appointment online or by phone โ request English if you need it
- Bring original documents, not photocopies
- The adviser completes the application and verifies your identity
- Sign the account agreement
- Receive your account details; the card follows by post
Don't just walk in. Appointments avoid long waits and make it far more likely you'll get an English- or Russian-speaking adviser. Budget 1โ5 business days at SEB or Swedbank, and 1โ10 days at Luminor, from appointment to a working account.
EU vs non-EU citizens
EU / EEA citizens
- โ National ID card or passport is enough
- โ No visa or residence permit needed
- โ Can open online instantly with fintechs
- โ Traditional banks usually want a Lithuanian address
- โ Asmens kodas needed for most bank accounts
Non-EU citizens
- โ Valid passport โ required
- โ Residence permit or visa for traditional banks
- โ Lithuanian address usually required
- โ Proof of income often requested
- โ Fintechs accept a passport alone
Do I need an asmens kodas?
Not to get started. Revolut, Paysera and Wise don't require one. Traditional banks generally do, because it's how you're identified in Lithuanian systems โ it's issued when you register your residence. The practical sequence for most arrivals is: open a fintech account immediately, get your residence permit and asmens kodas, then add a traditional bank if you need one.
The Lithuanian advantage most guides miss
Revolut is licensed in Lithuania and issues Lithuanian IBANs. In most EU countries a Revolut IBAN is foreign and employers refuse it. Here it's a local account โ so you can legitimately receive a Lithuanian salary into Revolut from your first day, before you have residency or a bank.
Required Documents
Identity documents
- Passport โ accepted everywhere, required for non-EU citizens
- EU/EEA national ID card โ sufficient for EU citizens
- Residence permit (leidimas gyventi) โ required by traditional banks for non-EU citizens
- Visa โ some providers accept a valid visa instead of a residence card
Documents must be originals and unexpired. Banks do not accept photocopies.
Proof of address
- Rental agreement โ the most common proof
- Utility bill in your name, usually within the last three months
- Residence declaration (gyvenamosios vietos deklaracija) from the municipality
- Employer letter confirming your address
Fintechs are far more flexible here โ Revolut and Wise generally don't require Lithuanian address proof to open.
Additional documents
- Employment contract โ often requested from non-EU applicants
- Student enrolment certificate โ for student accounts
- Source of funds explanation โ common for non-residents, and expect more questions if you're depositing significant sums
Banking Tips by Nationality
Lithuania's foreign population is dominated by Ukrainian, Belarusian and Russian citizens, and the practicalities differ meaningfully by nationality.
๐บ๐ฆ Ukrainian citizens
Ukrainians are the largest group of foreigners in Lithuania (around 77,000). Banks and fintechs here are well used to Ukrainian documents, and Russian-language support is widely available in branches.
If you hold temporary protection status, you'll have a residence document and asmens kodas, which opens the door to traditional banks. Before that arrives, Revolut or Paysera will get you banking immediately.
For transfers to Ukraine, Wise and Revolut consistently beat traditional bank wires on the rate. Check current UAH support before relying on any single provider.
๐ง๐พ Belarusian citizens
Belarusians are the second-largest group (around 57,500), and Lithuania โ Vilnius especially โ hosts a large Belarusian community, including many relocated IT companies.
You'll need your passport plus visa or residence permit for a traditional bank. Fintechs are quicker to start with.
Sanctions matter here. EU sanctions restrict transfers involving many Belarusian banks, and enhanced due-diligence checks are common. Rules change โ verify the current position against official EU and Bank of Lithuania guidance rather than relying on any guide, including this one.
๐ท๐บ Russian citizens
Around 15,000 Russian citizens hold Lithuanian residence permits. Account opening is possible with a valid residence permit, but expect enhanced due diligence โ more questions about source of funds, and longer processing.
Sanctions substantially restrict transfers to and from Russian banks. This is a fast-changing area, so check current rules before making any transfer.
๐บ๐ธ US citizens
Americans face FATCA. US law requires foreign financial institutions to report accounts held by US persons to the IRS, and some smaller institutions decline US clients to avoid the compliance burden.
Expect to provide your SSN or ITIN and sign a W-9 during onboarding. This is routine and doesn't affect how you use the account. For USD-to-EUR transfers, Wise typically beats a bank wire substantially.
๐ฎ๐ณ Indian citizens
India is a growing source of talent for Lithuania's tech and fintech sector. You'll need a passport plus visa or residence permit for a traditional bank; Revolut and Wise work immediately with just a passport.
For INR transfers, Wise generally offers rates well ahead of what a bank will quote. Avoid sending INR through a traditional Lithuanian bank wire.
๐ช๐บ EU citizens
The simplest case by far. Under freedom of movement, your national ID or passport is enough, and no bank may refuse you an account purely on nationality grounds.
And here's the bonus: Lithuania is in the eurozone. Unlike moving to Poland, Hungary or Czechia, there's no currency to convert โ your existing euro account, SEPA transfers and euro salary all work without FX cost. Many EU arrivals find they need a Lithuanian account far less urgently than they expected.
Know your net salary before you sign
Lithuanian employers quote gross. See what actually lands in your account.
Best Options for Foreigners
Lithuania has a small number of traditional banks and a very strong fintech sector โ a legacy of Vilnius becoming an EU fintech licensing hub. For most new arrivals, the fintechs are genuinely the better starting point.
Revolut โ best overall
- โ Lithuanian IBAN accepted for salary
- โ โฌ0 standard plan, opens in ~10 minutes
- โ Excellent FX for sending money home
- โ No branches, no mortgages
Swedbank โ best traditional bank
- โ Largest branch and ATM network
- โ Mortgages, loans, investment products
- โ Established local credit relationship
- โ Needs residency and asmens kodas
For a full breakdown of all providers, see our bank accounts comparison.
Fees & Costs
Account maintenance
Fintech accounts are typically free at the basic tier. Traditional Lithuanian banks charge a monthly service fee, often with reductions for students, pensioners or customers with regular salary deposits. Always check the full fee schedule (paslaugลณ ฤฏkainiai), not just the headline.
Transfers
Lithuania is in the eurozone and SEPA transfers within the EU are cheap or free for private customers โ often instant. Transfers outside the SEPA area are where costs hide: a traditional bank typically adds a 2โ4% FX markup on top of a stated fee. For UAH, USD, GBP or INR, use Wise or Revolut.
Cash withdrawals
Withdrawals from your own bank's ATMs are usually free or capped monthly. Independent ATMs in tourist areas charge more and push Dynamic Currency Conversion hard. Always decline DCC and choose euros.
Cards
Debit cards are typically free or low-cost. Credit cards may carry annual fees โ see our credit card comparison.
What is SEPA?
SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) covers the EU and several other countries. Euro transfers within SEPA are standardised, cheap and usually same-day or instant. Since Lithuania uses the euro, sending money to Germany, France or Spain costs essentially nothing.
Banking in Lithuania: What to Expect
Lithuania uses the euro. This is the single biggest practical difference from moving to Poland or Czechia โ no currency conversion, no FX surprises on your salary, and your existing euro accounts work seamlessly.
There's no BLIK equivalent, and you don't need one. Poland has BLIK; Lithuania simply runs on contactless cards and bank apps. Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely supported. You genuinely can go weeks without touching cash.
Open your account before you arrive. Revolut or Paysera can be set up from abroad, so you land with a working IBAN and card โ useful for a taxi, a SIM card and your first week's expenses.
Your employer needs your IBAN quickly. Salaries are paid by transfer. Having an account ready before your first working day avoids delays โ and a Revolut LT IBAN is usually accepted.
Vilnius is a fintech hub. Lithuania deliberately built itself into an EU fintech licensing centre, which is why Revolut, Paysera and dozens of EMIs are based here. The upside for you: unusually good digital banking options.
Russian is widely spoken in banking. If your Lithuanian is limited but your Russian is good, you'll manage comfortably in most Vilnius branches.
Common Mistakes When Opening an Account
Waiting for your asmens kodas before doing anything
The single most common delay. You don't need it for Revolut, Paysera or Wise. Open one on day one and sort the traditional bank out later.
Assuming an EMI is the same as a bank
Revolut and Paysera are excellent, but licensed e-money institutions safeguard funds differently from bank deposits, which are covered up to โฌ100,000 under the EU deposit guarantee scheme. For large balances, understand which protection applies to you.
Walking into a branch without an appointment
Expect a long wait and no guarantee of an English- or Russian-speaking adviser. Book ahead and state your language preference.
Accepting Dynamic Currency Conversion
When an ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and choose euros. The markup is typically 3โ7%.
Not reading the full fee schedule
Headline "free account" claims often exclude card fees, statement charges or minimum-deposit conditions. Read the paslaugลณ ฤฏkainiai table in full.
Bringing photocopies or expired documents
Originals only, and your passport must be valid. If a document isn't in Lithuanian or English, ask in advance whether a certified translation is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a Lithuanian bank account without an asmens kodas?
Yes. Revolut, Paysera and Wise open accounts online with just a passport. Traditional banks such as Swedbank, SEB and Luminor generally require an asmens kodas and residence documentation.
Can I open an account before I arrive in Lithuania?
Yes, with fintech providers โ you can be set up before your flight and land with a working IBAN. SEB can also open accounts remotely by video meeting. Other traditional banks generally expect you to be resident.
Will my employer accept a Revolut IBAN?
Usually yes, because Revolut is licensed in Lithuania and issues LT IBANs โ so it counts as a local account, unlike in most other EU countries. Confirm with your payroll department before your first payday.
How long does it take?
Revolut is about ten minutes; Paysera roughly 24 hours. Traditional banks take one to ten business days depending on your documentation.
Do I need to speak Lithuanian?
No. The major banks offer English-language apps and support, fintechs are fully English, and Russian is widely spoken in Vilnius branches.
Is my money protected?
Bank deposits are covered up to โฌ100,000 per depositor per bank under the EU deposit guarantee scheme, administered in Lithuania by the Deposit and Investment Insurance company. E-money institutions safeguard client funds under different rules.
Can freelancers open a business account?
Yes. If you work under individuali veikla you aren't required to keep business funds separate, but it makes your annual declaration much easier. See our self-employment guide.
What happens to my account if I leave Lithuania?
It generally stays open and usable remotely, though banks may ask you to confirm your address or tax residency periodically. Tell your bank when you move and keep your details current.
Related Guides
Disclosure and disclaimer. Some links on this page are affiliate links, which may earn us a commission at no cost to you โ they don't affect our recommendations. Requirements and fees change; this is general guidance, not financial advice. Always confirm directly with the provider.