Living in Lithuania
Moving to another country is not easy, especially if the country is culturally different from your own. Please see the topics below and it will help for a smooth integration. Hopefully, this guide will answer any questions you might have regarding your studies, accommodation, health matters, free time and everything in between.
Active Student Life in Vilnius
Develop your career from startup to big names by being a part of a close-knit community of enthusiastic professionals and entrepreneurs.
Soak up the art in Vilnius’ theatres, galleries and street art places.
Catch a beat at Vilnius’ festivals, open-airs and concerts.
Take a breath of fresh air at Vilnius’ cozy courtyards, parks and terraces.
IF YOU WANT TO FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ACTIVITIES IN VILNIUS CITY, PLEASE CHECK HERE:
https://www.govilnius.lt/visit-vilnius or Events | International House Vilnius (ihvilnius.lt)
Work in Lithuania
If you are a foreign student looking for an internship or a job, start by exploring ISM career partner companies and their offers.
At ISM University, we partner with 40+ TOP employers in Lithuania, who seek students for internship and full-time employment positions. Whether you are starting or advancing your career, join the internal career app to connect with your future employer!
Explore partner companies and job offers*
*The platform is used exclusively by ISM students and our business partners, so you need to create a student profile there to get access to companies, offers, career events and workshops.
If you wish to explore other companies, “Work in Lithuania” can help you access more opportunities in international companies. “Work in Lithuania” purpose is to encourage professionals living abroad to build their careers in Lithuania and to help international companies meet their potential employees. On the “Work in Lithuania” website you can research and browse jobs at international companies and startups located in Lithuania.
Access more information and resources to help your career planning on ISM career page.
International students have the right to work while studying in Lithuania as long as they are enrolled in a university.
EU students can work full-time, meaning up to 40 hours per week.
International students from non EU countries can also work up to 40 hours per week after obtaining the temporary residence permit. The limitation of working time does not apply to international students.
After graduating, you also have the possibility to apply for a temporary residence permit for 12 months for job search and self-employment purposes.
! If you have a national visa (D) for your studies, you are NOT allowed to work during your studies (only after obtaining a temporary residence permit).
Housing / Accommodation
We are pleased to welcome students at ISM and we are willing to help them find the accommodation during the study period.
Please keep in mind that students sign the accommodation contract with properties directly. However, for the convenience of students ISM has signed contracts with some hotels/brokers.
You can find our accommodation options here – ISM accommodation guide.
If you would like to find an accommodation on your own, please check the information below – Aruodas.lt: nekilnojamo turto skelbimai | NT skelbimai , the biggest and most popular website for real estate rentals is Aruodas.
TIPS on renting an apartment in Vilnius can be found here: Step by Step Guide to Renting in Vilnius | Go Vilnius
Health Matters
All international students are supposed to have medical insurance valid in Lithuania for the study period (it can be obtained each year).
Health insurance for EU students
Students who are the citizens of European Union member countries are required to either have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or form E111 confirming that the student has EU health insurance, valid in Lithuania.
Students who hold a European Health Insurance Card can get medical help by consulting their prescribed family doctor (GP) at any health care institution that has a contract with the Territorial Health Insurance Fund (THIF). Your family doctor could send you to a specialist if in need. Both – visiting your family doctor or a specialist are fully covered if the doctor has a contract with one of the territorial health insurance funds.
The cost of dental treatment services is also covered for holders of EHIC who visit dentists that have contracts with THIF (although it is the patient’s obligation to pay for the materials). Such dentists usually work in national health care institutions. Most dentists in Vilnius work privately and payment for full treatment is usually needed.
EU students who have private health insurance shall at first cover all of those health care expenses and then inform their health insurance company in order to get a refund – unless the insurance policy states otherwise.
Medicines are usually only included in the hospitalization cost, while medicines prescribed by doctors have to be bought by patients. Prescribed subsidized medicines are partly covered by the national health insurance fund (Lithuanian: Valstybinė ligonių kasa – VLK) for EHIC holders. Any outstanding amount has to be paid by the patient. You will have to pay the full price for any pharmaceutical which is not listed in the national price list of subsidized medicines.
Health insurance for non-EU students
Healthcare services for holders of a temporary residence permit (TRP) are funded by their private health insurer in accordance to the conditions established in the insurance policy. Only students that legally work in Lithuania can participate in the Lithuanian Compulsory Health Insurance system. For this, they need to contact the local THIF.
All students who are citizens of non-EU member countries are required to obtain health insurance either in their home country or Lithuania.
The cost of health insurance obtained in Lithuania may vary from around 50 to 150 EUR per year depending on the insurance policy (mainly on what part of the treatment cost is covered). This has to be done by contacting one of the private insurance companies if the student does not have a Permanent Residency Permit (if so, local THIF has to be contacted).
Students from non-EU countries applying for the visa have to prove to the Migration Office that they have valid health insurance. The following requirements for the insurance contract (policy) have to be fulfilled:
The health insurance contract (policy) shall guarantee that all basic medical assistance costs and travel expenses which may arise in connection with the return, for health reasons, of an alien to the homeland (medical transportation, including escort by medical brigade or a doctor) will be covered.
The following information shall be indicated in the insurance policy:
– Number of the Health Insurance Contract (policy);
– Particulars of the insurance undertaking (name, address of registered office, telephone and fax numbers);
– Full name of the insured person;
– The amount covered by the Health Insurance Contract;
– Duration of the Health Insurance Contract (at least by the end of the study period);
– The territorial coverage of Health Insurance Contract (policy);
– Non-insured events.
Lithuanian State Scholarships for Master Degree Studies
Education Exchanges Support Foundation offers 100 Lithuanian state scholarships for full-time Master’s degree or integrated studies (a maximum of the two last years of the integrated studies) at Lithuanian higher education institutions every year. Funding under the Call is provided to the citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Georgia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Moldova, Ukraine and foreigners of Lithuanian origin from non-EU and EFTA countries.
You can find all the information here: Full-Time Master Degree Studies – Study in Lithuania
In case you have any questions relates to scholarships, please contact Education Exchanges Support Foundation by email: master.scholarships@smpf.lt
Student Card
Students in Lithuania receive discounts in various places from restaurants to museums, from public transportation to certain shops.
In order to have access to the University premises and to take advantage of student discounts, you need a card to prove that you are a student at ISM. In Lithuania, students can apply for the following:
LSIC is issued and administered by the Lithuanian National Union of Students (LSS) and is valid in Lithuania only.
ISIC is an international student identity card, recognized all around the world. You may order your ISIC card at ISM Library.
If you want to access as many student discounts as possible, we would recommend you to have both, however, one card is sufficient.
Due to the short processing time, we recommend you to order the ISIC card at the Library upon your arrival, and start using your students discounts (e.g., for public transport) immediately.
Lithuanian Language
If you are interested in learning basic Lithuanian language and showing off your skills while communicating with the locals you can sign up for a Lithuanian Language (HUM121) course for international students and attend the classes throughout the semester. The course is free of charge.
For more info please contact: international@ism.lt.
In case you would like to check other options outside university, please have a look here: Learn Lithuanian – Study in Lithuania
Counselling and Psychological Wellbeing
University provides psychological counseling for students who want to overcome their present difficulties and learn to tackle similar problems in the future.
The issues for counseling in most cases relate to:
- Uncertainty caused by the need to take important decisions
- Strong feeling of sadness, anxiety, fears
- Problems at work or studies
- Stressful events (divorce, loss of the joy of life, and other unpleasant experiences)
- Lack of self-confidence
If you want to have a consultation, you can register through e-learning system or email. Consultations are provided in English, Russian and Lithuanian languages.
