With over 500 English-taught study programmes and internationally recognised diplomas, it’s not difficult to see why you’re interested in studying a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Lithuania.
This small and modern European country has a little bit of everything and is ideal for students who want to go abroad but without breaking the bank.
So, how much does it cost to study and live in Lithuania?
1. University tuition fees in Lithuania
Tuition fees at public universities
Public Lithuanian universities charge affordable fees to international students. For example, tuition starts at:
- 1,300 EUR/year for Bachelor’s degrees
- 1,000 EUR/year for Master’s degrees
- 8,400 EUR/year for PhD degrees
Medical programmes are some of the most expensive, with tuition costs of over 10,000 EUR per year for some specialisations.
And the good news doesn’t stop here:
- Students from the European Union (EU) can apply for state-funded places
- All students (EU and non-EU/EEA) can apply for state-funded PhD places
Tuition fees at private universities
Like in any other country, private universities are more expensive. They don’t usually make any difference between EU and non-EU/EEA students, and it’s not common to find scholarship programmes.
Most affordable universities in Lithuania
- Lithuanian Sports University – Masters start at 1,000 EUR/year for EU/EEA students
- Klaipeda University – Bachelors start at 1,600 EUR/year for all international students
- Mykolas Romeris University – Masters start at 2,150 EUR/year for EU/EEA students
As a general rule, always check what tuition applies to you. For some study programmes, both EU and non-EU/EEA students pay the same fees. Others who come from non-EU/EEA countries will pay more.
Universities we recommend in Lithuania
- Vilnius Gediminas Technical University
- Kaunas University of Technology
- Lithuanian Sports University
- Mykolas Romeris University
- ISM University of Management and Economics
Check out the best universities in Lithuania according to global rankings.
2. Student living costs in Lithuania
Lithuania is less expensive compared to its Western counterparts. However, your lifestyle and spending habits are the ones that decide how much money you need. A budget between 350 and 750 EUR per month should be enough for most international students.
Lithuania is part of the European Union, so the national currency is the euro (EUR). If you come from another European country that has the same currency, you won’t have to bother converting your money or getting used to different coins and banknotes.
3. Student accommodation costs
Most universities in Lithuania offer students the option to live in student halls of residence or dormitories. The main advantages are:
- dormitories are renovated and equipped with the necessary furniture
- they are the most affordable type of accommodation for students (70-200 EUR/month)
- they include utilities in the overall price
Renting a private apartment is more expensive, with the prices growing significantly for places that are close to the city centre:
- one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre: 285 EUR/month
- one-bedroom apartment in the city centre: 415 EUR/month
- three-bedroom apartment outside the city centre: 455 EUR/month
- three-bedroom apartment in the city centre: 700 EUR/month
Don’t forget about monthly utilities, which will add another 80–140 EUR to your list of expenses.
4. Food costs in Lithuania
Generally, you won’t spend more than 150–250 EUR per month on food and groceries. But if you eat out or don’t enjoy cooking that much, expect to spend more. These are some of the average prices for food products in Lithuania:
- 1 loaf of bread: 0.85 EUR
- 1 litre of milk: 0.87 EUR
- 12 eggs: 1.45 EUR
- 1 kg of local cheese: 7 EUR
- 1 kg of apples: 0.95 EUR
- 1 kg of bananas: 1.05 EUR
- 1 meal at affordable restaurants: 7 EUR
Check out other living costs in Lithuania.
5. Transportation costs
The largest cities in Lithuania have a well-developed system of public transportation. This includes buses, trolleybuses, and minibuses. A monthly pass costs around 29 EUR, but students can take advantage of large discounts and don’t pay that much.
Other alternatives are using a taxi, an Uber, or renting a car (as long as you have a driving license that’s recognised by the Lithuanian authorities).
6. Extra costs in Lithuania
- entertainment (cinema, concerts, theatre): 50–130 EUR/month
- student visa fee (only for non-EU/EEA citizens): 120 EUR for visa + 28 EUR for the residence permit
- health insurance: it depends on your insurance plans, the length of your stay, your current health condition, etc. To make sure students have access to the best insurance out there, Studyportals found a reliable partner in Aon. You can easily get advise and insight in costs based on your personal needs: Get free advise now.
7. University scholarships and grants
We’ve already mentioned it, but it’s worth repeating: if you’re from the EU, you can apply for a state-funded place and study for free in Lithuania. But what about all the other international students?
Don’t worry. Scholarships are available at every study level. These are offered by individual universities, government agencies, or private institutions. The admission requirements are different for each scholarship, so check them out before applying.
You can find scholarship opportunities and learn more on the official Study in Lithuania website.
While you’re at it, apply for our Studyportals Scholarship: International Distinction Awards.
8. Employment for international students in Lithuania
Although university tuition fees in Lithuania are relatively affordable, the truth is some students can only cover their overall costs (including living expenses) by taking a part-time or even a full-time job, if their schedule allows it.
This is where the good news comes in! Lithuania implemented policy changes that make it a lot easier for internationals to find and apply for a job here. The changes went into effect on 1 March 2021, and these are the most important takeaways:
- Foreigners can obtain a residence permit quicker, and they only need to write a declaration about their place of residence. Previously, an official statement from the landlord was also required.
- Foreigners applying for managerial roles no longer need to obtain approval from the Lithuanian Employment Service. For managers, this makes the job application process faster and easier.
- Highly qualified employees can start working immediately after applying for a residence permit. Previously, they had to wait for the permit to be issued, which meant further delays and wasted time.
- Foreigners who are specialists in one of the areas that fall in the category of ‘high professional qualifications’ no longer need to apply for a work permit. The same applies to employees who work remotely for a Lithuanian company and for students on exchange programmes.
- Master’s students can now work full-time. Previously, they were limited to 20 hours per week, and only PhD students could work more than that. This brings new options for graduate students, who can now combine a part-time (or full-time) Master’s with a full-time job, getting the best of both worlds.
You can learn more about these policy changes on the official Invest Lithuania website.