Lithuania expects as many as 10,000 foreign nationals to take the Lithuanian language exam in early 2026, when new requirements for foreign workers in the service sector come into force, the Education, Science and Sport Ministry said.
“The ministry has done its job and the National Education Agency is ready to hold the exams,” Education Vice Minister Rolandas Zuoza told the parliamentary Committee on Education and Science last week. “We do not see any problem with where and when to learn the Lithuanian language.”
Zuoza said the ministry estimates that up to 10,000 foreigners will apply to take the exam in January and February. Nearly 900 people took the A2-level test last year.
NEA Director Simonas Sabanovas said the agency is preparing to test 4,800 people across 58 municipalities on January 14–16, with another round of exams planned for early February.
“Based on this year’s experience and looking ahead, we believe that capacity for 4,800 people over the next month and a half should definitely meet the demand,” he said.
The government previously considered asking universities to help if the NEA could not handle the influx, but Zuoza said such assistance is not currently needed.
Inspections and enforcement
Under the law, foreign nationals providing direct services must be able to serve customers in Lithuanian. The Seimas adopted amendments to the Law on the State Language in October 2024, establishing new language obligations for service-sector workers starting next year.
Deputy State Lithuanian Language Inspector Donatas Smalinskas told lawmakers that foreigners who cannot present a valid language certificate will have six months to learn the language and pass the exam. He also said he expects the parliament to approve amendments requiring ride-hailing drivers to show proof of Lithuanian-language proficiency before starting work.
Smalinskas noted that supermarket employees are already required to speak Lithuanian. But Social Democrat MP Darius Jakavičius said compliance remains poor.
“There are no longer any Lithuanian-speaking employees in smaller shops,” he said. “In the capital of Lithuania, there are no Lithuanian-speaking people in retail chain stores. This is unacceptable.”
Funding for language teaching
Gražina Genė of the Ministry of Social Security and Labour said the ministry is in talks with the European Commission on a funding scheme that would support Lithuanian-language instruction for third-country nationals by mid- or late 2026.
Almost €5 million has been earmarked for training and communication programs, with a target of 6,300 participants. Another €500,000 would fund a centralised registration system.
New basic proficiency category
Starting January 1, foreign nationals working in sales or service roles must meet a new basic Lithuanian proficiency standard, equivalent to A1. After two years of residence in Lithuania, they will be required to reach at least A2.
A person with basic-level Lithuanian can understand everyday expressions and simple phrases, introduce themselves, ask and answer basic personal questions, and write short informal notes.
The rules also apply to seasonal workers who sell goods or provide services. However, they do not apply to Ukrainians under temporary protection until 2027.
Basic-category exams will be offered monthly in schools, with extra sessions added as needed. The government has instructed the ministry to expand the pool of examiners.
According to the Migration Department, nearly 218,000 foreign nationals held residence permits in Lithuania at the start of this year, including more than 77,000 Ukrainians.
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