Starting in September 2026, Spanish will be available as the first foreign language to be taught in schools alongside English, French and German, the Ministry of Education said on Friday.
This is foreseen in a decree signed by Minister Radvilė Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė.
Students will be able to take Spanish lessons from the second grade onwards if the school offers the option.
In Lithuania’s schools, students are required to study at least two foreign languages. They pick the first one in grade two, when they are aged 7–8, and another one in grade six, aged 12-13.
“We want to give pupils the opportunity to learn as many EU languages as possible, so we are expanding the list. Around 2019, we have seen a trend that Spanish as a second foreign language of choice is becoming more popular in major cities,” said Vice-Minister Ignas Gaižiūnas.
According to him, 491 sixth-graders chose Spanish last academic year.
“Although this represents slightly more than 2 percent of all sixth-form pupils, the increase is significant. It is very important that this decision will also allow pupils to be offered Spanish as a foreign language matriculation exam,” he said.
Like English, French and German, Spanish will be offered as the first foreign language in primary education from autumn 2026, and as both first and second foreign language in secondary education.
Until now, students and their parents could choose from English, French, and German as their first foreign language. The list of second foreign language options remains the same: English, French, German, Spanish, Polish, Ukrainian, and Russian.
Students who have reached the B2 level will also be able to take the Spanish national matriculation exam when they leave school.
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