Starting January 1, 2026, all foreigners working directly with customers in Lithuania – including couriers, ride-hailing drivers, beauty specialists, medical staff, and retail workers – will be required to communicate in Lithuanian.
The measure, approved by the Seimas in October 2024, purports to help foreigners integrate into Lithuanian society, though it leaves a lot of uncertainty about the availability of language courses and how the rules will be monitored.
Supporters of the legislation argue that it addresses a longstanding challenge in the service sector. While roughly 60% of Lithuanians speak Russian, about 40% may struggle to understand service workers who communicate in languages they do not know. A poll commissioned by LRT found that eight out of 10 Lithuanians believe that foreign service workers should be able to speak Lithuanian.
The requirement applies to both foreign employees and the companies that employ them. Lawmakers said it will help migrants participate more fully in Lithuanian society and encourage them to learn at least conversational Lithuanian.
At the same time, lawmakers insisted that Lithuanians have the right to be served in their own language.
Businesses adjust to new requirements
Businesses say that many workers are already taking language courses to prepare for the upcoming rule, though questions remain about implementation and enforcement.
Mindaugas Liutvinskas, head of public policy for the food delivery service Wolt in the Baltic States, maintains that couriers are independent contractors and bear the primary responsibility for meeting the language requirement.
“Couriers-partners are self-employed, so learning Lithuanian is primarily their responsibility,” Liutvinskas said. “At the same time, Wolt seeks to inform them about available resources and courses to make it easier to meet the new requirements and integrate into society.”
Wolt said it is considering additional initiatives to support its couriers, including guidance on available courses and practical tools for improving basic Lithuanian communication skills.
Similarly, ride-hailing platform Bolt has launched partnerships to offer language classes for its drivers, and the first participants have already begun their courses.
Nevertheless, industry leaders say the requirement will have a significant impact across the service sector. Laimonas Jakštys, head of Bolt’s ride-hailing service, warned that the changes will affect not only platform workers but also medical staff, consultants, retail workers, bartenders, waiters, couriers, and beauty professionals.
He noted that the government has yet to finalise the implementation details, including the exact language proficiency levels and how compliance will be monitored, leaving many workers uncertain about how to prepare.
Language levels and timelines
The Education, Science and Sports Ministry has proposed a government decree introducing a basic A1-level proficiency requirement for new residency permit holders, which would be sufficient for the first two years after registering residence in Lithuania.
After two years, workers would need to reach at least A2 level in order to continue working in customer-facing jobs.
Currently, Lithuania applies a tiered system of language proficiency for employees in different sectors.
The first category (A2 level) is for workers in services, trade, transport, and other areas where they need to interact with clients. The second category (B1) applies to educators, cultural workers, health care and social services personnel, civil servants, and other public employees who communicate regularly with clients or the public. The third category (B2) is required for managers and specialists in state or municipal institutions, aviation, maritime, education, and other fields where advanced communication is necessary.
Temporary protection status holders, such as Ukrainian war refugees, are exempt from these requirements.
However, the current requirements apply to companies and not to self-employed workers, which is why the new law was passed.
According to the Ministry, the proposed new measures would allow foreign workers who have lived in Lithuania for up to two years to start with basic A1-level Lithuanian, then progress to A2. This approach is intended to give workers time to adjust and integrate while providing a clear path toward compliance.
Challenges for workers and businesses
Some business leaders warn that the requirements may be too strict for low-skilled workers. Evalda Šiškauskienė, head of the Lithuanian Hotel and Restaurant Association, said that while the industry supports the principle of learning Lithuanian, the lack of clarity on levels and implementation creates confusion.
“We agree the language must be learned. The question is how, when, and what level,” she said. She added that the current two-year preparation period may be challenging for some workers, particularly those who may not plan to remain in Lithuania long-term.
Despite these concerns, many foreign service workers have already begun language courses. “There is a clear divide between those who intend to stay and learn Lithuanian and those who are still looking toward moving elsewhere in Europe,” Šiškauskienė said.
How long does it take to learn Lithuanian?
Language experts stress that the type of vocabulary required varies depending on the occupation. Lecturer Eglė Gudavičienė of Vilnius University’s Faculty of Philology said couriers and ride-hailing drivers mostly need basic, repetitive phrases such as greetings, delivery confirmations, and simple questions.
“Their communication is limited to politeness phrases and repeated statements, which can be learned in a relatively short time with practice,” she said.
However, she noted that beauty professionals and other specialised service workers require more advanced vocabulary and understanding of grammar, as miscommunication could have serious consequences, such as allergic reactions or health issues.
Gudavičienė estimates that reaching A1 level typically takes 100–120 hours of study, with a similar amount needed to reach A2 proficiency.
Gudavičienė added that while opportunities for learning Lithuanian have expanded in recent years, access can still be uneven. Municipalities, non-governmental organisations, private language schools, and universities now offer courses both in-person and online. However, availability depends on where people live, whether they have contacts with employers or the local community, and their longer-term plans in Lithuania.
Newsletter
Every Friday morning.
