Study abroad in Lithuania: The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers medically necessary treatment, but not repatriation. The German Federal Foreign Office names no visa requirement for German citizens. We do not state a verified monthly living cost, so please ask your host university.
Study abroad in Lithuania at a glance
| Item | Details (as of October 2026) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance | The EHIC applies, repatriation is not covered | European Commission (EHIC FAQ) |
| Visa | No visa requirement named, registration may be requested after three months | German Federal Foreign Office, European Commission (Your Europe) |
| Tuition fees | Erasmus+ students are exempt from fees for tuition, registration and examinations, small fees may apply | European Commission (Erasmus+), University of Vilnius |
| Living costs | No verified monthly amount, the University of Vilnius names no figures (undated page) | University of Vilnius |
| Auslands-BAföG (German study abroad grant) | Possible, responsible office according to the DSW: Studentenwerk Chemnitz-Zwickau | German Student Services (DSW), leaflet January 2026 |
All details are general information, not individual advice. The linked official pages are authoritative.
How are you insured in Lithuania?
EHIC and your statutory health insurance
Lithuania is an EU member, so the EHIC applies there. According to the European Commission, treatment follows the law of the host country. For students, the card replaces the form E-128 and gives access to treatment that is necessary given the length of your stay. The Commission states that the card has nothing to do with repatriation.
Ask your statutory health insurer to confirm in writing how you are insured during your semester abroad before you sign the learning agreement. Also check that the card is valid until the end of your stay. If you have private health insurance, the basics are covered in our guide Health insurance during a semester abroad (in German).
The German Federal Foreign Office also notes that in many countries doctors and hospitals usually expect costs to be paid or advanced before discharge. Plan for this, even if the card applies.
What does your German insurer pay?
Treatment is billed under the rules of the host country. Abroad, higher co-payments can apply, which is a cost risk. Keep all receipts. If you pay for treatment first, the German federal portal says your insurer reimburses only what comparable treatment would have cost in the insuring state, minus an administrative deduction.
Inpatient treatment in the EU requires prior approval from your insurer, as does treatment that also needs approval in Germany. For planned outpatient treatment, the federal portal advises checking with your insurer in advance.
Private travel health insurance and repatriation
The card does not replace travel health insurance. Repatriation to Germany is not covered. The German Federal Foreign Office advises travel health and repatriation insurance for Lithuania for the whole duration of your stay. The federal portal names repatriation and higher co-payments abroad as a residual risk that private travel health insurance can cover. For background, see Travel health insurance for Erasmus, the USA and Work and Travel (in German).
Do you need a visa for Lithuania?
No. The German Federal Foreign Office names no visa requirement for German citizens in Lithuania. Accepted travel documents are a passport, a provisional passport, an ID card, a provisional ID card and a children’s passport. Travel documents must be valid on entry and exit.
According to the European Commission, the host country may not require registration during the first three months. After that, Lithuania may require you to register your residence. For stays longer than three months, the Commission names three conditions: enrolment at a recognised institution, comprehensive health insurance and sufficient resources. Keep these documents ready:
- A valid ID card or passport
- Proof of enrolment at the host university
- Proof of comprehensive health insurance
- Proof of sufficient resources, the Commission names no fixed minimum amount
According to the Federal Foreign Office, there is no travel warning for Lithuania (page as of 25 October 2026). The page warns of drones that are believed to have been diverted into Lithuanian airspace by electronic interference, and further incidents cannot be ruled out. Robbery and violent crime are rare according to the page, while pickpocketing occurs at tourist sites.
For vaccinations, the Federal Foreign Office states that no compulsory vaccinations apply for entry into Lithuania. FSME is recommended, and for long stays hepatitis A, hepatitis B and rabies. Check your vaccination protection with your doctor before you leave.
What does a semester in Lithuania cost?
Tuition fees
As an Erasmus+ student, you are exempt from fees for tuition, registration and examinations at the host university. The University of Vilnius states that all Erasmus+ students are exempt, whether or not they receive an EU grant, and that fees for laboratory and library use are waived as well. Small fees, for example for insurance or membership of a student union, may still apply. We have not verified their amount, so ask your host university.
Living costs
We do not state a verified monthly amount for living costs. The University of Vilnius page on living in Lithuania contains no figures. It does note that insurance costs, accommodation and a deposit must be planned as additional expenses. The page carries no date. Ask your host university for its budget for exchange students.
Funding: Erasmus+ and Auslands-BAföG
Your university sets the Erasmus+ grant. As an example, the University of Vilnius lists Erasmus+ grants of 674 euros a month for country groups 1 and 2, which according to the page include Germany, 606 euros for group 3 and 700 euros for group 4. The page describes the Erasmus grant as only partial funding, plus travel allowances depending on distance, and notes that the number of grants is limited. The page carries no date. For more, see Planning Erasmus and a semester abroad (in German).
Auslands-BAföG, the German study abroad grant, is available for study abroad. A permanent residence in Germany is required. Funding starts in the month of application, at the earliest with the start of the study abroad. According to the leaflet, the application should ideally be made six months before you start. Within the EU, the leaflet of the German Student Services (as of January 2026) does not require a prior year of study in Germany. According to the DSW assignment, the Studentenwerk Chemnitz-Zwickau is responsible for Lithuania. The leaflet names a one-off travel allowance, a health insurance supplement and tuition fees of up to 5,600 euros for a maximum of one year. Details are in Auslands-BAföG: requirements, amount and supplements (in German).
Steps before you leave
- Ask your statutory health insurer to confirm in writing how you are insured during your semester abroad before you sign the learning agreement.
- Check that your EHIC is valid until the end of your stay and order a new card in good time if needed.
- Take out travel health and repatriation insurance, because the card does not cover repatriation.
- Ask your insurer whether planned treatment needs prior approval.
- Plan money for treatment where doctors or hospitals may ask for payment in advance.
- If you receive funding, submit your Auslands-BAföG application about six months before you start.
- Ask your international office about the Erasmus+ grant and all fees at the host university.
- Keep your ID card or passport, proof of enrolment and proof of insurance ready for a possible registration after three months.
Frequently asked questions
Does my EHIC work in Lithuania?
Yes, for medically necessary treatment under the rules of the host country. Treatment that can wait until you return and repatriation are not covered.
Do I need a visa for Lithuania?
No. The Federal Foreign Office names no visa requirement for German citizens. After three months, Lithuania may require you to register.
Do I have to pay tuition fees in Lithuania?
Not as an Erasmus+ student for tuition, registration and examinations. Small fees, for example for insurance, may apply.
What are living costs in Lithuania?
We do not state a verified amount. Ask your host university for its budget for exchange students.
Does my health insurer pay for repatriation?
The European Commission says the card has nothing to do with repatriation. Travel health and repatriation insurance covers this risk. Ask your insurer about the scope of cover.
Who handles Auslands-BAföG for Lithuania?
According to the DSW assignment, the Studentenwerk Chemnitz-Zwickau is responsible.
Sources
- German Federal Foreign Office, Lithuania: travel and safety advice (page as of 25 October 2026, in German)
- European Commission, Your Europe: Studying in another EU country (last changed 30 September 2026)
- European Commission, social security FAQ: European Health Insurance Card (undated)
- European Commission, Erasmus+: studying abroad (last updated 18 December 2025)
- German federal portal, health insurance abroad (last updated 6 December 2022, in German)
- German Student Services, Auslands-BAföG leaflet (as of January 2026, in German)
- University of Vilnius, Erasmus+ programme for students (undated)
- University of Vilnius, Living in Lithuania (undated)
Sources accessed on 25 October 2026, unless stated otherwise.
Related guides
- Health insurance during a semester abroad (in German)
- Auslands-BAföG: requirements, amount and supplements (in German)
- Travel health insurance for Erasmus, the USA and Work and Travel (in German)
- Planning Erasmus and a semester abroad (in German)
- Study abroad in Latvia
- All countries for your semester abroad (in German)
You can find the online check at check.academycon.de.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
