Lithuania Visa RequirementsFor New Zealand passport holders
New Zealand citizens can visit Lithuania visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Lithuania is the southernmost Baltic state with a stunning Baroque Old Town in Vilnius, the Hill of Crosses, and the Curonian Spit.
Great news! New Zealand passport holders can enter Lithuania without a visa for tourism or business purposes. You can stay up to 90 days.
No visa is required for NZ citizens for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Vilnius Airport (VNO) is the main entry point, served by Ryanair, Wizz Air, and other European carriers. Days in Lithuania count toward the Schengen 90-day limit. Lithuania uses the Euro. ETIAS will apply in the future. Lithuania borders Poland (Warsaw is 7h by bus), Belarus (Minsk visa required), Latvia, and Russia's Kaliningrad exclave.
Lithuania is part of the Schengen Area. Your stay counts toward the 90-day limit within any 180-day period for the entire Schengen zone. Learn more about Schengen rules →
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
3 months beyond departure from Schengen
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
Valid New Zealand Passport
Must be valid for the duration of your stay and at least 3 months beyond intended departure from the Schengen Area.
Return or Onward Ticket
Proof of departure from Lithuania, such as a return flight booking or onward travel itinerary.
Proof of Accommodation Recommended
Hotel reservation, Airbnb booking, or address where you will be staying in Lithuania.
Proof of Sufficient Funds Recommended
Credit cards, bank statements, or cash to cover your expenses during your stay in Lithuania.
Travel Insurance Recommended
Recommended for Schengen travel. Some countries may require it. Should cover medical emergencies and repatriation.
Current Travel Situation
New Zealand to Lithuania: What You Need to Know
Lithuania is the largest of the three Baltic states by population and a rewarding destination for NZ travellers. Vilnius has the largest surviving medieval Baroque Old Town in Northern Europe (UNESCO). Kaunas (Lithuania's second city) has an excellent interwar modernist architecture collection. The Curonian Spit (UNESCO) is a narrow sand dune peninsula on the Baltic coast shared with Russia's Kaliningrad. The Hill of Crosses near Siauliai is one of Lithuania's most unusual and moving pilgrimage sites. Lithuania was the first Soviet republic to declare independence in 1990.
How to Get There
Lithuania is the southernmost Baltic state, making it a natural starting or ending point for the Baltic circuit. Vilnius is well-connected to Warsaw, Poland (7h bus, FlixBus), Riga, Latvia (4h), and Tallinn, Estonia (8h). Ryanair and Wizz Air serve Vilnius from major European hubs. Most NZ travellers include Lithuania as part of a Poland-Baltic states circuit.
Money & Banking
Lithuania uses the Euro (EUR). Currently around 1.80-1.90 NZD per EUR. Lithuania is among the most affordable Schengen countries. Vilnius is excellent value: a cepelinai (potato dumplings stuffed with meat) meal costs EUR 7-12. A local Svyturys beer costs EUR 3-4. Vilnius has excellent budget accommodation options. Mid-range hotels in Old Town are very reasonable by Western European standards.
Practical Tips
Vilnius Old Town is very walkable: the Cathedral Square, Gediminas Castle, Uzupis bohemian quarter (self-declared republic), and the Gates of Dawn are all within easy walking distance. The city has a thriving street art and music scene. Trakai Castle (a Gothic island fortress, 30 min from Vilnius) is Lithuania's most visited attraction. The Hill of Crosses near Siauliai (2.5h from Vilnius) is deeply atmospheric. Kaunas (1.5h by bus from Vilnius) is worth a day trip for its interwar architecture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do NZ citizens need a visa for Lithuania?
No. Lithuania is part of the Schengen Area and NZ citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
What is the Uzupis district in Vilnius?
Uzupis (the 'Republic of Uzupis') is a bohemian artist neighborhood in Vilnius that jokingly declared itself an independent republic in 1997. It has its own 'constitution' (translated into many languages and displayed on plaques), a president, an army, and celebrates its independence day on April 1 (April Fools' Day). It is Vilnius' most creative and charming neighborhood with galleries, cafes, and street art.
What is the Hill of Crosses near Siauliai?
The Hill of Crosses is one of Lithuania's most unusual and moving pilgrimage sites: a hill covered with hundreds of thousands of crosses, crucifixes, rosaries, and religious statues that Lithuanians have placed there since the 19th century as an act of faith and resistance (Soviet authorities bulldozed the crosses multiple times; Lithuanians kept adding more). It is located 12 km north of Siauliai, 2.5 hours from Vilnius.
Is Vilnius affordable for NZ tourists?
Vilnius is one of the most affordable European capitals. A three-course meal at a traditional Lithuanian restaurant costs EUR 15-25. A local beer costs EUR 2-3. Accommodation in the Old Town is very affordable compared to Western European capitals. The city has an improving restaurant and nightlife scene driven by a young, international population.
What are the best things to eat in Lithuania?
Must-try Lithuanian foods: cepelinai (potato dumplings stuffed with meat and served with sour cream and bacon bits, the national dish), saltibarsciai (cold pink borscht made with beetroot and kefir, a summer staple), Kibinai (Karaite pastries from Trakai, filled with meat), dark rye bread, and Vilniaus duona (traditional Vilnius bread). Lithuania also produces excellent craft beer.
What is Trakai and how do I visit it from Vilnius?
Trakai is a small medieval lakeside town 30 km from Vilnius, famous for its island castle (Trakai Island Castle) accessed by a wooden bridge. It was the medieval capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Train from Vilnius: 40 minutes (frequent departures). The castle has a museum and the views are picturesque. Also famous for Kibinai pastries from the Karaite community.
Can NZ visitors include Lithuania in a broader Baltic/Poland trip?
Yes. Vilnius is the southernmost Baltic capital and connects naturally to Poland. Warsaw is 7 hours by FlixBus from Vilnius. Krakow, Poland is accessible via Warsaw connection. A recommended circuit for NZ travellers: Krakow, Poland - Warsaw, Poland - Vilnius, Lithuania - Riga, Latvia - Tallinn, Estonia - Helsinki, Finland (ferry). This covers Central Europe and all three Baltic states in 12-14 days.