Lithuania
TRAVEL INSURANCE
The Department of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends that comprehensive travel insurance, including medical insurance, is obtained before travelling to Lithuania. Travellers should note that the Irish government does not provide funds for emergency medical repatriation or for repatriation of remains.
You should also obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) free of charge which entitles you to emergency medical treatment. This card is NOT a substitute for travel insurance. See www.ehic.ie for further details. The EHIC replaces the Form E111, which is no longer valid.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Irish citizens do not require a visa to enter Lithuania.
It is advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport with you. During your stay you should carry a photocopy of your passport at all times.
SAFETY & SECURITY
Along with other European countries, there is potential for Lithuania to experience international terrorism.
CRIME
Visits to Lithuania are relatively free of trouble. However, as with travelling to any country, we would advise people to use their common sense and be very careful of their passports, cash, ATM and credit cards. It is recommended that you leave your passport in a safe place in your accommodation and bring a photocopy of it when you go out. We would also advise that you bring another form of identification with you to Lithuania such as a driving licence. The loss or theft of a passport must be reported to the police as a statement of loss is required for the issuance of a new passport or emergency travel documents.
There is a risk of mugging, pickpocketing and bag snatching, particularly on public transport. Avoid poorly lit streets, parks and secluded areas after dark. There has been a recent increase in pickpocketing in bars and restaurants.
Be wary of accepting food and drink from strangers in bars, nightclubs and restaurants. Some visitors have been drugged and subsequently robbed.
Car theft, particularly of/from new or expensive cars, is rife. Lock unattended vehicles: conceal all contents (and radios, if possible). Major cities have guarded car parks: use them if at all possible, especially overnight.
LOCAL LAWS & CUSTOMS
Please note that while in Lithuania Irish citizens are subject to Lithuanian law, which may differ in some areas to Irish law. In particular, public drunkenness (i.e. in the streets, on public transport etc.) will be dealt with very severely by the Lithuanian authorities who have the right to detain people in detoxification centres if they believe them to be very drunk.
Illegal Drugs
You should not become involved with drugs. Possession of even very small quantities of drugs can lead to imprisonment and/or heavy fines.
Outside tourist areas in the major cities, English is little spoken.
ROAD SAFETY
If you plan to drive in Lithuania, you should note that roads and driving may be of poor standard. Road traffic accidents are common. Extra care must be taken at all times, when driving, particularly when driving at night.
If driving into Lithuania in winter, equip your car for severe conditions. Winter tyres are a legal requirement in Lithuania between 10 November and 1 April. Dipped headlights are also compulsory all year round. Seat belts must be used in both front and back seats. The use of a mobile phone while driving (unless it is “hands-free”) is banned. The speed limits, unless otherwise indicated, are 50km/h in towns, 90km/h on country roads and 110km/h on highways. (130km/h on highways from 1 April to 1 November).
Do not drink and drive. The legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.2 gr/1000cm for drivers with less that two years driving experience who are driving goods or passenger vihicles. the legal alcohol limit for other frivers is 0.4 gr/1000cm .There is zero tolerance for drink driving and those found over the limit face a fine and possible imprisonment.
Border officials need sight of original car documents and those driving into the country need car insurance valid for Lithuania.
When travelling by car, border officials will ask for the following documents:
- A passport with a validity of at least 6 months;
- Original car registration documents (copies are not acceptable);
- International vehicle insurance (Green Card).
