Miscellaneous

Employment

Employment of local staff

In accordance with the Law on State Social Insurance of the Republic of Lithuania, persons receiving wages under the employment contract are insured with all types of state social insurance. The Mission which hire Lithuanian nationals or permanent residents of Lithuania as staff members shall pay state social insurance contribution to the State Social Insurance Fund (hereinafter – Fund) for their employees.

The Mission may choose to pay income taxes related to the employment of Lithuanian nationals or permanent residents; otherwise they shall pay the tax individually.

Legislation:

1. Lietuvos Respublikos Valstybinio socialinio draudimo įstatymas (Žin., 2004, Nr. 171-6295 ) (aktuali redakcija);
2. 2005 m. birželio 14 d. Lietuvos Respublikos Vyriausybės nutarimas Nr. 647 “Dėl Lietuvos Respublikos Valstybinio socialinio draudimo fondo biudžeto sudarymo ir vykdymo taisyklių patvirtinimo (Žin., 2005, Nr. 75-2725) (aktuali redakcija).

Employment of family members

In accordance with the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, the said Law shall not apply to aliens who enjoy the privileges and immunities under international treaties and other legal acts of the Republic of Lithuania. Therefore, accredited family member, enjoying the same diplomatic or consular immunities and privileges as member of the Mission does not require work permit. In case of employment, the Mission by a Verbal Note should notify the State and Diplomatic Protocol informing about intention of the accredited family member to work in Lithuania, the name of an employer and the employment date. 

However, the accredited family members, who sign a contract of employment, should waive immunity from civil and administrative jurisdiction with respect to the matters arising out of such employment. They also become liable for payment of income and social security taxes on any remuneration received as a result of the employment.

Employment of private servants

Private servants of the members of the Mission can be accredited. The Mission shall submit a Verbal Note indicating the employment of a private servant by a member of the Mission, the passport of the employee, a filled in application form and one   photo (Chapter 2 “Identity Cards and Visas”) to the Protocol Department. The ID card is issued for the period of a private servant’s employment contract, but not longer than the term of posting of his/her employer in Lithuania.

Family members of private servants are not accredited at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Their presence on the Lithuanian territory is regulated by the Law on Legal Status of Aliens.

The member of the Mission shall assure that his/her private servant leaves Lithuania after expiration of the work contract.

Legislation:

• 2004 m. balandžio 24 d. Lietuvos Respublikos įstatymas Nr.IX-2206 “Dėl užsieniečių teisinės padėties” (Žin., 2004-04-30, Nr. 73-2539).

Purchase of Real Estate

The Ministry supervises the whole procedure of purchasing the real estate which is the property of the State. If the real estate is the property of a private person, the real estate agency is involved in the procedure of sale-purchase. After signing the contract, the property shall be registered at the State Enterprise Centre of Registers (Valstybinė įmonė Registrų centras www.registrucentras.lt).

The real estate purchased from the State can be assigned back to the State or with the consent of the Government - to another Mission. In this case, the Resolution of the Government would be issued.

In order to avoid misunderstandings, the Missions are advised to notify the Ministry about their intention to rent a property, providing the information on the location of the property and the name of the owner.

Legislation:

1. 1993 m. vasario 2 d. Lietuvos Respublikos įstatymas “Dėl žemės sklypų pardavimo ir nuomojimo tvarkos bei sąlygų užsienio valstybių diplomatinėms atstovybėms ir konsulinėms įstaigoms”(Žin., 2001, Nr. 62-2227;  2013, Nr. 76-3839 (aktuali redakcija);
2. 1993 m. kovo 18 d. Lietuvos Respublikos Vyriausybės nutarimas Nr. 182 “Dėl Lietuvos Respublikos žemės sklypų perleidimo ir nuomos užsienio valstybių diplomatinėms atstovybėms ir konsulinėms įstaigoms tvarkos bei sąlygų įstatymo įgyvendinimo taisyklių patvirtinimo“ (Žin., 1993, Nr. 10-264; 2010, Nr. 121-6178) (aktuali redakcija).
3. 1992 m. gegužės 12 d. Lietuvos Respublikos Vyriausybės nutarimas Nr. 343 “Dėl specialiųjų žemės ir miško naudojimo sąlygų patvirtinimo” (Žin., 1992, Nr. 22-6522011; 2011, Nr. 71-3389,  www3.lrs.lt).

Security Issues

Protection of premises

The Government of the Republic of Lithuania takes all necessary steps to ensure effective protection of the premises of the Missions and Residences of the Heads of Mission. Responsibility for the protection of the premises lays with the Police team "Vytis" of the Vilnius County Police Headquarters.

The protection provided depends on the risk level of possible terror acts or other threats on the respective Mission or Residence. Permanent round-the-clock service from the stationary police posts is provided for Missions and Residences, receiving similar attention from security forces in all corners of the world.

The majority of Missions and Residences are monitored by special mobile police patrols and rapid police response groups. The intervals between the checkouts are irregular and flexible. The possibility to increase the presence of patrols around the Missions or Residences to meet temporary requirements that occur is also foreseen.

However, the Missions are requested to take appropriate measures to protect their premises such as an adequate insurance against fire and burglary, to install security system, etc.

Under a Mission’s written request to the Ministry or directly to the Police team “Vytis", an increased police security is provided to the Mission on the occasion of the National Day’s reception.

All public gatherings to take place in front of the Missions shall be registered with the Vilnius city authorities. On such occasions, police protection is also provided.

In case of emergency, please contact:

• Police team "Vytis" –  267 6006, mob. 8 698 54241;
• Emergency phone service – 112;
• Vilnius County Police on duty – 271 6007.

Firearms

The Lithuanian authorities are responsible for protecting the members of the Mission. Nevertheless, a member of the Mission is permitted to possess a weapon for certain purposes: sports, hunting, self- defence, collection, etc., in accordance with the Lithuanian law and international agreements. The bellow- named regulations govern import, export, possession and carrying of weapons.

Weapons and ammunition are classified according to their safety: from category A – the most dangerous weapons (i.e. automatic guns) to category D – the least dangerous items which are not subject to compulsory registration. The privileged persons are allowed to bear weapons which belong to categories ranging from B to D.

A handgun imported to or acquired in the Republic of Lithuania shall be registered with the Police Department within the period of ten days, which will issue a permit to possess it. The following documents have to be submitted:

• an application form, available at the Police Department;
• medical approval (form 049/a) confirming that a person is not included in a special list of people having problems with alcoholism, drug addiction or having mental health or physical disorders, etc.;
• documents declaring the identity (IDs or passports) of an applicant and other persons (older than 14 years old) living together with the applicant;
• a permission for hunting (only when registering hunting weapons);
• documents proving a person’s membership in a sport shooting organization (only when registering weapons for sport purposes);
• 2 photos (3x4 cm);
• an original copy of the permit to import a handgun or to acquire it in Lithuania;
• a handgun and five test bullets.

A permit to possess a handgun will be issued within the period of five days, in certain cases the period could be extended up to 45 days. An issued permit is valid for six months.

Legislation:

1. 2002 m. sausio 15 d. Lietuvos Respublikos ginklų ir šaudmenų kontrolės įstatymas Nr. IX-705. (Žin., 2002, Nr. 13-467; 2013, Nr. 78-3928  (aktuali redakcija);
2. Lietuvos policijos Generalinio komisaro 2003 m. birželio 23 d. įsakymas Nr. V-362 dėl fizinių asmenų ginklų ir šaudmenų civilinės apyvartos ir jos kontrolės taisyklių patvirtinimo. (Žin., 2003, Nr. 63-2875; 2013, Nr.121-6168, www3.lrs.lt).

Education

The Lithuanian educational system covers pre-school development, general child and youth education, vocational & junior college training, higher education and adult education.

Education institutions can be State or non-State (municipal, private or other). In Lithuania, education is compulsory until the age of 16. General information on structure and main principles of educational system are set in the Law on Education of the Republic of Lithuania.

A member of the Mission willing to register a child with a Lithuanian state school should contact the school of his/her choice. It should be noted that children of foreign citizens are accorded the same conditions (free tuition) as Lithuanian children. Studies in state higher education institutions are both state-financed and fee-paying. The sum of tuition fees depends on the chosen study programme and the degree sought. The list of general education schools and other educational institutions throughout Lithuania is provided by a national open vocational information database AIKOS (www.aikos.smm.lt/ aikos/svietimo_ir_mokslo_institucijos.htm).

Below please find the list of schools providing education in foreign languages:

English:

French:

The main Lithuanian Universities have departments of the Lithuanian language which run all kinds of Lithuanian language and culture courses for foreigners. All-year-round (two semesters) or several week (two to four) courses are available. The courses are offered at three levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced.

For the Lithuanian language courses please contact:

Legislation:

1. 1991 m. birželio 25 d.Lietuvos Respublikos švietimo įstatymas Nr. I-1489 (Žin., 1991, Nr. 23-593; 2013, Nr. 73-3655, www3.lrs.lt):
2. 2005 m. rugsėjo 1 d. Lietuvos Respublikos švietimo ir mokslo ministro įsakymas Nr. ISAK-1800 „Dėl užsieniečių ir Lietuvos Respublikos piliečių, atvykusių ar grįžusių gyventi ir dirbti Lietuvos Respublikoje, vaikų ir suaugusiųjų ugdymo išlyginamosiose klasėse ir išlyginamosiose mobiliosiose grupėse tvarkos aprašo patvirtinimo“ (Žin., 2005, Nr. 109-3991, www3.lrs.lt).

Domestic Pets

Bringing in dogs/cats into Lithuania is subject to the following requirements:

• the dog/cat shall not show clinical signs of diseases, particularly infectious;
• the dog/cat has to be identified (tattoo or microchip);
• the dog/cat shall be over 3 months of age and vaccinated against rabies with live or inactivated vaccine. The vaccination has to be approved by the official veterinarian and has to be done at least 30 days before the entry into Lithuania. The vaccination is valid 12 or 24 months depending on the vaccine type;
• the dog/cat shall have an EU pet passport or veterinary certificate (validity of the veterinary certificate is 10 days).

It is also recommended (not mandatory) to have dogs vaccinated against canine distemper, hepatitis, viral enteritis, parvo-, adeno-viral disease and leptospirosis.

Regular vaccination of dogs and cats against the distemper is compulsory in Lithuania and should be inscribed into their passports.

Bringing dogs of certain breeds which are considered dangerous into the country requires a special permission from the Municipality.

More detailed information is available at the internet site of the State Food and Veterinary Service http://www.vmvt.lt.

Legislation:

1. 2003 m. gegužės 26 d. Europos Parlamento ir Tarybos reglamentas (EB) Nr. 998/2003 dël gyvūnų sveikatos reikalavimų, taikomų nekomerciniais tikslais vežamiems naminiams gyvūnėliams, iš dalies keičiantis Tarybos direktyvą 92/65/EEB, www3.lrs.lt;
2. 2013 m. balandžio 15 d. Lietuvos Respublikos Valstybinės maisto ir veterinarijos tarnybos direktoriaus įsakymas Nr.290 „Dėl pavojingų šunų įvežimo, įsigijimo, veisimo, dresavimo, prekybos, laikymo ir kovinių šunų bei kovinių ir pavojingų šunų laikymo tvarkos aprašo patvirtinimo“(Žin., 2013, Nr. 41-2032, www3.lrs.lt).