CONTENT|CONTENU

TRAVEL REPORT
Lithuania

1. RECENT UPDATES

Section 4 has been updated (Schengen Area).

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this country.

Lithuania

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Most Canadian visitors to Lithuania do not experience problems. Ensure personal belongings, including passports and other travel documents, are secure at all times.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

Crime

The crime rate is low. However, petty crime, such as mugging and purse snatching, occurs, particularly on public transport. Pickpocketing also occurs in bars and restaurants. Foreigners are often targeted. Avoid walking alone after dark, especially in parks and poorly lit areas. Travellers should avoid the upper part of the Uzupis district of Vilnius (artists' district) and areas surrounding the bus station. Refuse all food and drink offered by strangers. Travellers have been drugged and subsequently robbed. Auto theft, especially of new and expensive cars, is rampant. Lock unattended vehicles and conceal all items (including radios). Keep vehicles in a guarded parking lot, particularly overnight.

General Safely Information

Exercise normal security precautions in crowded areas, on public transportation, at airports, railway stations, bars, restaurants, and hotels.

Police headquarters in Vilnius provides interpreters at police stations to assist with incidents involving foreigners.

For emergency assistance (police, ambulance, fire), call 112.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Lithuanian authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller’s responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania and its consulates, for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Lithuania. The passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country.

Health insurance is mandatory for all non-EU citizens. Visitors unable to demonstrate sufficient proof of medical insurance must purchase short-term insurance at the border.

Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays less than 90 days within six months)
Special Visa (employment and student authorization): Required

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Schengen Area

The member states of the European Union (EU) (not including Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania, and the United Kingdom), along with Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland (which are not in the EU), make up the Schengen Area, which has common rules regarding visas and controls at external borders. The following 25 countries comprise the Schengen Area: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

In the Schengen Area, Canadian travellers do not need visas for short-term visits (up to 90 days within a six-month period). The 90 days are cumulative and apply to travel within all countries of the Schengen Area. Some countries require you to register with local authorities within three working days of your arrival. It is important to get your passport stamped when entering the Schengen Area. The absence of an entry stamp from the initial Schengen port of entry could create difficulties during subsequent encounters with local police or other authorities throughout the Schengen Area.

If Canadians overstay the permitted 90 days in the Schengen Area, they may be fined or deported. To visit for longer than 90 days, Canadians must obtain a long-stay national visa.

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s licence, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

EU legislation on the amount of cash that can be carried was implemented on June 15, 2007. Canadians crossing one of the external border control points of the EU will have to make a declaration to customs upon entry or exit if they have at least 10,000 euros, or the equivalent in other currencies, in cash, cheques, money orders, traveller's cheques, or any other convertible assets in their possession. Failure to report such a sum will be considered an offence. This does not apply to Canadians travelling within the EU or in transit to a non-EU country. The purpose of this legislation is to prevent illegal activities, such as money laundering. For more information on the new EU legislation and links to EU countries' sites, consult http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/customs_controls/cash_controls/index_en.htm.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Lithuania - VILNIUS, Office of the Canadian Embassy
Address: Business Centre 2000, Jogailos St. 4, 7th Floor, Vilnius 01116, Lithuania
Tel.: 370 (5) 249-0950
Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 88-003-0022
Fax: 370 (5) 249-7865
E-Mail: vilnius@canada.lt
Internet: http://www.BalticStates.gc.ca

The Embassy of Canada in Stockholm, Sweden, has overall responsibility for consular services in Lithuania and may be contacted directly for assistance if you are unable to reach the Office of the Canadian Embassy in Vilnius. The address is as follows:

Sweden - STOCKHOLM, Embassy of Canada
Address: 23 Klarabergsgatan, Stockholm, Sweden
Postal Address: P.O. Box 16129 , Stockholm, Sweden, 10323
Tel.: 46 (0) 8 453-3000
Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 00-800-2326-6831
Fax: 46 (0) 8 453-3016
E-Mail: stkhm-cs@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.Sweden.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Office of the Canadian Embassy in Vilnius and follow the instructions.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Medical care in Lithuania has improved but is not yet up to Western standards. Medical supplies are increasingly available. Western-type dental care is available in most major cities. Travellers with existing health problems may be at risk when travelling outside major centres. Visitors should bring basic medical supplies and prescription medicine when travelling in remote areas. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Tap water is safe for drinking, however bottled water is recommended.

Tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease are widespread. Those intending to visit parks or forested areas in Lithuania are urged to speak with their health care practitioner about immunization.

See our Global Issues page for information on the H1N1 flu virus.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and Lithuania are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which enables a Canadian imprisoned in Lithuania to request to be transferred to Canada to complete the sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Lithuanian authorities.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Visitors to the Curonian Spit, an elongated sand dune that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea, are reminded that the spit is divided between Lithuania and the Russian Federation and that there is a border crossing at Nida. Travellers wishing to visit Russia require a visa.

Frequent bus and air services link Lithuania to neighbouring countries. The most convenient international airports for trans-Atlantic flights are in Copenhagen (Denmark), Frankfurt (Germany), Amsterdam (Netherlands), or Warsaw (Poland).

Rail service is generally slow, and trains are old and uncomfortable. Safeguard personal belongings on overnight international trains. Bus service within the capital and its environs is safe and reliable. Taxis are inexpensive. Use only officially marked taxis from taxi stands or reputable hotels.

The speed limit is 50 km/h in town and 90 km/h out of town, unless otherwise indicated. The phone number for roadside assistance is 8-800-01414 from a regular phone and 1414 from a GSM mobile phone.

Seat belts are mandatory except for children under the age of 12. Car seats on the back seat are mandatory for children under three. A car seat on the front seat is mandatory for children under 12. Studded tires are not allowed from April 10 through November 1st. Headlights must be turned on at all times from September 1st to April 1st.

Roads are generally in good condition, but lanes are not always clearly marked. Slow-moving horse-drawn carts, bicycles, and vehicles travelling at night without taillights or reflectors on poorly lit streets and highways pose hazards. Winter driving can be especially dangerous, since roads are not always plowed.

The police is not required to respond to minor road accidents, provided there are no injuries to persons and provided both parties are in agreement. Car insurance is mandatory in Lithuania. Border officials may request original documents.

Driving under the influence of alcohol can result in the suspension of your driver’s licence.

Canadian citizens are allowed to drive with a Canadian driver’s licence for up to 90 days. Canadians who reside in Lithuania for 185 days or more in one calendar year must acquire a Lithuanian driver’s licence.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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The currency is the litas (LTL), which is now pegged to the euro (EUR). The economy is mainly cash-based, but most hotels, restaurants, and stores accept major credit cards (primarily Visa and MasterCard). Foreign currency, especially U.S. dollars and euros, can easily be exchanged. Marked or torn notes may be discounted. Traveller's cheques can only be cashed at banks. ABMs are now widespread in urban centres and accept Canadian bank cards and major credit cards.

Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Lithuania is subject to extremely cold temperatures and windstorms in winter.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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