Lithuania: A Prime Destination for IT Professionals Seeking EU Citizenship

Lithuania is a rapidly growing economy with a strong demand for skilled IT professionals. The country has a number of advantages for IT workers, including a competitive tax system, a streamlined regulatory environment, and a highly educated workforce.

In recent years, Lithuania has taken many steps to attract and retain IT specialists. In 2023, the country opened Europe's largest Vilnius Tech Ziti Campus for 6,000 people. The campus is designed to provide a state-of-the-art working environment for IT companies and to foster collaboration and innovation.

For young IT professionals looking to tap into the European job market, Lithuania presents a compelling option. One of the key questions that often arises is: "How to get Lithuanian citizenship?"

There are several ways to obtain Lithuanian citizenship, including:

By descent: If you have at least one Lithuanian parent or grandparent, you may be eligible for Lithuanian citizenship by descent.

Through naturalization: If you have lived in Lithuania for a certain period (typically at least 10 years) and meet certain other requirements, you may be eligible for Lithuanian citizenship through naturalization.

Through investment: Lithuania offers a citizenship-by-investment program that allows foreign investors to obtain Lithuanian residence by making a significant investment in the country. Strictly speaking, this path also ultimately leads to citizenship through naturalization.

Emigration as a Highly Valuable Specialist

One of the best ways to move to Lithuania as an IT professional is to emigrate as a highly valuable specialist. The Lithuanian government offers many benefits to highly valuable specialists, including:

1. Fast-track work permit processing: Highly valuable specialists can obtain a work permit in Lithuania within a matter of days.
2. Income tax exemption: Highly valuable specialists are exempt from income tax on their first €120,000 of income.
3. Social security benefits: Highly valuable specialists and their families are eligible for all social security benefits in Lithuania.

If you are a highly valuable IT specialist who is interested in obtaining Lithuanian citizenship, there are two things you can do to increase your chances of success:

1. Learn Lithuanian: Learning Lithuanian will make it easier for you to integrate into Lithuanian society and meet the requirements for naturalization. English is also widely used in Lithuania. But for everyday communication, it is better to master Lithuanian.
2. Find a job in Lithuania: Finding a job in Lithuania is the best way to demonstrate your value to the country and increase your chances of obtaining permanent residence and citizenship.

Here are some additional tips for highly valuable IT specialists who are interested in moving to Lithuania:

1. Network with other IT professionals in Lithuania: Networking with other IT professionals is a great way to learn about job opportunities and to get advice on how to move to Lithuania.
2. Join a Lithuanian IT community: There are many online and offline IT communities in Lithuania. Joining a community is a great way to connect with other IT professionals and learn more about the Lithuanian IT scene.
3. Attend Lithuanian IT events: Lithuania hosts several IT events throughout the year. Attending these events is a great way to meet potential employers and learn about the latest trends in the Lithuanian IT industry.

Moving to Lithuania is a great opportunity for highly valuable IT specialists. The country offers many advantages, including a competitive tax system, a streamlined business environment, and a strong commitment to innovation. By following the tips above, you can increase your chances of success in obtaining Lithuanian citizenship and building a successful career in the Lithuanian IT industry.