Lithuania Visa RequirementsFor Poland passport holders
Polish citizens visit Lithuania visa-free as EU and Schengen members. No visa is required, and EU citizens can stay indefinitely with only a valid Polish ID card or passport.
Great news! Poland passport holders can enter Lithuania without a visa for tourism or business purposes.
No visa is required for EU citizens. A valid Polish passport or national ID card is sufficient. EU citizens can reside in Lithuania without restrictions. ETIAS does not apply to EU nationals. The border between Poland and Lithuania is completely open within Schengen. Note that the Curonian Spit's northern half is Lithuanian; the southern half is Russian (Kaliningrad Oblast) which requires a Russian visa.
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
Current Travel Situation
Poland to Lithuania: What You Need to Know
Lithuania and Poland share one of history's most significant partnerships. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (1569-1795) was one of Europe's largest and most influential states. Today both nations are EU, Schengen, and NATO members and maintain a strong bilateral relationship. Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, was historically a majority Polish-speaking city and remains home to a significant Polish minority (about 15% of the city's population). Many Polish tourists visit Vilnius as a city break: the UNESCO-listed baroque old town, Gediminas Tower, the bohemian Uzupis republic district, and the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights are key attractions. Kaunas (Lithuania's second city), the Curonian Spit (UNESCO natural heritage, a sand dune peninsula shared with Kaliningrad/Russia), and the Hill of Crosses (near Siauliai) are popular beyond the capital.
How to Get There
Lithuania is the southern end of the Baltic states circuit. Riga (Latvia) is 4h from Vilnius by bus. Tallinn is 9h (or 4h from Riga). Warsaw is directly connected by train and bus. Kaliningrad (Russian exclave) borders Lithuania but requires a Russian visa and is currently difficult to access. The Via Baltica motorway connects Warsaw to Vilnius efficiently.
Money & Banking
Lithuania uses the euro (EUR). Lithuania is one of the most affordable EU destinations: a restaurant meal in Vilnius' old town costs EUR 10-18, a local beer EUR 2.50-4. Rimi and Iki supermarkets offer cheap self-catering. Cards are widely accepted everywhere in Lithuania. ATMs plentiful. Vilnius is notably cheaper than Warsaw for dining and accommodation.
Practical Tips
Vilnius Airport (VNO) is served by LOT Polish Airlines and Ryanair from Warsaw (1h) and Krakow. Vilnius is also reachable by direct Intercity train from Warsaw Centralna (9h) and bus from Warsaw and Bialystok (4-5 hours). Within Lithuania, buses (Toks, Kautra) connect Vilnius to Kaunas (1.5h), Klaipeda (4h), and Palanga (coast). Kaunas is increasingly visited for its interwar modernist architecture, a UNESCO Creative City. Palanga is the main beach resort, popular in summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Polish citizens need a visa for Lithuania?
No. Poland and Lithuania are neighboring EU and Schengen members. Polish citizens cross into Lithuania freely with no border controls.
How are Polish-Lithuanian relations?
Poland and Lithuania have deep historical ties going back to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (1569-1795), one of the largest states in European history. The relationship today is generally positive with a significant Polish minority in the Vilnius region.
What is the historical connection between Poland and Lithuania?
Poland and Lithuania formed the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth from 1569 to 1795 , one of Europe's largest and most powerful states at its peak. Their shared capital was Vilnius (Wilno in Polish). Today's Lithuania has a significant Polish minority (about 6% of the population, concentrated around Vilnius). Polish-Lithuanian Friendship Day is celebrated by both nations. Both joined the EU, NATO, and Schengen together.
What is the Suwalki Gap?
The Suwalki Corridor (or Gap) is a narrow strip of Polish and Lithuanian territory between the Russian Kaliningrad Oblast and Belarus, connecting the Baltic states to the rest of NATO. It has significant strategic importance.
Is Vilnius's old town worth visiting?
Yes, absolutely. Vilnius's baroque old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest medieval old towns in Eastern Europe. Its ornate Catholic churches (St. Anne's Church inspired Napoleon), the Gate of Dawn with its miraculous Madonna icon, the bohemian Uzupis Republic (self-declared "republic" of artists), Gediminas Tower, and the vibrant Uzupis and Uzupio street art scene are all remarkable.
What currency is used in Lithuania?
Lithuania uses the euro. Cards are widely accepted.
What is the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania?
The Hill of Crosses (Kryziu Kalnas) near Siauliai in northern Lithuania is one of the world's most extraordinary pilgrimage sites: a hillside covered with hundreds of thousands of crosses, ranging from tiny handmade crucifixes to elaborate carved wooden monuments. Pilgrims have placed crosses here for centuries as acts of prayer and remembrance; Soviet authorities bulldozed the hill three times, only for crosses to reappear immediately. It is deeply significant to Lithuanian and Polish Catholics.
Is there a direct bus from Warsaw to Vilnius?
Yes. Lux Express, Ecolines, and other operators run direct buses from Warsaw to Vilnius. The journey takes approximately 9-10 hours. Tickets can be booked online.
What is Uzupis and why is it unique?
Uzupis is a neighborhood in Vilnius that declared itself an independent republic on April Fools' Day 1997. It has its own (tongue-in-cheek) constitution, ambassador, and national anthem. The constitution's highlights (posted in multiple languages on a wall) include "A dog has the right to be a dog" and "A person has the right to be unhappy." Despite the humor, Uzupis is a genuine artists' quarter with galleries, cafes, and a charming riverside atmosphere.
What are the top sights in Vilnius?
Vilnius Old Town (UNESCO Heritage Site), Gediminas Castle Tower, Trakai Island Castle, the Hill of Crosses (near Siauliai), and the bohemian Uzupis quarter are must-sees.
Are Lithuania and Poland on good terms today?
Relations are generally warm. Both are NATO and EU allies with shared security concerns given proximity to Russia and Belarus. However, there are occasional tensions over the rights of the Polish minority in Lithuania and the status of Polish place names. The Lithuanian government and Polish government maintain close diplomatic ties on defense and energy security issues.
Is Polish language widely spoken in Lithuania?
Yes, especially in the Vilnius region where there is a significant ethnic Polish minority. In Vilnius itself, Polish is widely understood. English is spoken in tourist areas.