Do US Citizens Need a Visa for Lithuania?
No. US citizens do not need a visa to visit Lithuania for tourism or business. Lithuania is a full Schengen Area member, so US passport holders can enter visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period under the Schengen 90/180 rule.
From Q4 2026, travelers will need ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) pre-travel authorization. This is not a visa — it costs €7 and is valid for 3 years.
How Long Can Americans Stay in Lithuania?
Up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period across all Schengen countries combined. Lithuania joined Schengen on December 21, 2007.
Key rules:
- The 90-day limit is shared across ALL 27 Schengen countries — not per country
- The 180-day window rolls backward from any given date
- Entry and exit days both count as full days
- Leaving Schengen and re-entering does not reset the counter
Entry Requirements for Lithuania
- Valid US passport: Must be valid for at least 3 months beyond planned Schengen departure (6 months recommended)
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Return or onward ticket
- Travel insurance: Strongly recommended
- ETIAS authorization (from Q4 2026)
Lithuania-Specific Gotchas for US Travelers
Schengen days, not Lithuania days: Any days spent in other Schengen countries count against your 90-day allowance. If you arrive in Vilnius after 4 weeks in Poland, you have 62 days remaining, not 90.
Kaliningrad transit — important border note: Kaliningrad is a Russian exclave bordered by Lithuania (north) and Poland (south). Russia requires a separate Russian visa for entry. There is currently no open crossing for US tourists between Lithuania and Kaliningrad.
The Curonian Spit (Neringa): This UNESCO World Heritage natural site is split between Lithuania (north) and Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast (south). US citizens can access the Lithuanian section freely. Crossing into the Russian section requires a Russian visa — do not accidentally cross the border at Nida.
EU membership + Euro: Lithuania is a full EU member and uses the Euro (€) since 2015. No currency exchange needed if arriving from the Eurozone.
Vilnius Airport (VNO): Lithuania's main international airport. Direct US flights are limited — most travelers connect via Amsterdam (AMS), Frankfurt (FRA), Warsaw (WAW), or Helsinki (HEL).
Baltic trio city break: Vilnius, Riga (Latvia), and Tallinn (Estonia) are all within easy reach by bus or overnight train. All three are Schengen — border crossings are free. Days in all three count toward your shared 90-day allowance.
English is widely spoken: Lithuania has high English proficiency, particularly among younger generations. Tourist infrastructure in Vilnius is well-developed and easy to navigate without Lithuanian language skills.
FAQs
Is Lithuania part of the EU and Schengen?
Yes to both. Lithuania joined the EU in 2004 and the Schengen Area in December 2007. It adopted the Euro in 2015. US citizens get visa-free access to Lithuania under the Schengen visa waiver arrangement.
Can I visit the Curonian Spit as a US citizen?
Yes, the Lithuanian side. The Curonian Spit (Neringa) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Lithuanian national park section is fully accessible to US tourists without a special permit. Do not cross into the Russian Kaliningrad section — that requires a Russian visa and the crossing is not open to general tourists.
What's near Lithuania that Americans can visit without a separate visa?
Latvia (north), Estonia (further north), and Poland (south) are all Schengen members — free movement. Kaliningrad Oblast (Russia) requires a separate Russian visa. Belarus requires a separate Belarus visa. The US State Department advises against travel to Belarus.
Is the Suwalki Gap a travel risk?
The Suwalki Gap (the narrow land corridor between Lithuania and Poland, between Belarus and Kaliningrad) is a geopolitical concern but does not affect tourist travel to Lithuania. Check the US State Department's Lithuania travel advisory for current recommendations.
Can I extend my stay in Lithuania beyond 90 days?
Not under the visa waiver. To stay longer, apply for a Lithuanian national Type D visa or temporary residence permit before your 90-day window expires. Contact the Lithuanian Migration Department or the nearest Lithuanian embassy well in advance.
Last verified: February 20, 2026 from U.S. Department of State — Lithuania Country Information
Frequently Asked Questions
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