salaries in Lithuania for Ukrainians. average salary in lithuania in 2021

Economic situation in the country

In 2021, the difference between the minimum and average earnings in Lithuania is very noticeable. This threshold is approximately 300 euros. The statistics include both the unemployed and those who receive the minimum wage for their work.

The average salary in Lithuania in 2021 is 800-900 euros before taxes. In the public sector, Lithuanians receive an average of 885 euros, and in the private sector a little more - 900 euros. After taxes, the average salary in Lithuania is 700 euros.

The labor market is highly competitive, so the employment process for foreign citizens is not as easy as we would like. The first thing you need to know to understand the economic situation is the price market. If you take the average cost of basic products in Vilnius, you will notice that it is not very different from most Russian regions (with the exception of Moscow and St. Petersburg).

More to read:

What is the average salary in Latvia per month?

Is it possible to get a job in the Czech Republic?

In a supermarket you can see this situation:

• loaf of bread - 0.55 euros;
• milk - 0.95 euros;
• kilogram of cottage cheese - 3.50 euros;
• kilogram of cheese - 5.80 euros;
• chicken fillet - 5.90 euros;
• kilogram of potatoes - 0.25 euros;
• kilogram of onions - 0.45 euros;
• sunflower oil - 3.20 euros.

Thus, the difference in the price of products with Russia is really small. This also applies to alcoholic beverages. If you buy your groceries at the market rather than the supermarket, you may see lower prices. In other cities (besides the capital) lower prices are also noticeable.

Most of the salary received has to be paid for utility bills. Lithuanians spend two thirds of the amount received after taxes on gas, heating and other services. In terms of wages/utilities, Russia wins. Here, on average, they pay 4,500 rubles for utilities, while in Lithuania, translated into rubles, it is 20,000.

Salary to Expense Ratio

The average salary received by Lithuanian citizens is distributed according to the main expense items. They, in turn, include the following areas:

• rental housing – from 200 to 500 euros, based on a specific locality;
• utilities - in the amount of 100 - 150 euros;
• purchasing food + visiting catering establishments – 300 – 1000 euros (depending on individual needs and the needs of the family);
• travel by public or private transport - 50 - 100 euros per month;
• taxes – 24%, if only income tax is taken into account;
• additional expenses for travel, entertainment, large purchases - 50 - 400 euros per month.

Thus, the minimum amount of expenses of the average Lithuanian citizen, taking into account the above list, is 700 - 800 euros per month.

Experience working in Lithuania is presented in the video below.

Minimum salary in Lithuania

As of 2021, the minimum monthly salary in Lithuania is 400 euros. When employed for any job, you are not entitled to be paid more than the specified amount. If you see lower numbers when searching for a job, it means it is not official. Thus, the employer violates the laws of the country. There are plans to increase the minimum wage soon. In 2021 it was 2.45 euros per hour, and from the new year the figure reaches 2.63 euros per hour. The figures are given without taxes, without them the minimum hourly wage is 3.39 euros. According to the Lithuanian Labor Code, people have the right to pay the minimum wage exclusively for unskilled labor.

In Latvia the minimum wage is 430 euros, while in Estonia it is much higher - 500 euros. If we take into account the incomes of citizens of Germany, Belgium or France, then Lithuania lags behind by at least 3-4 times. The ratio of salary and expenses is of great importance.

If we take into account the average salary of 700 euros, then monthly expenses are as follows:

• utilities - 100-150 euros;
• rental housing - 200-250 euros;
• travel – 100 euros;
• taxes - 24 percent;
• food - 300-500 euros.

Information on Lithuanian average salaries

Over the past years, wages in Lithuania have been growing steadily, which is especially noticeable in comparison with the level of wages in Estonia, Latvia and Russia. Let’s estimate the amount of income of Baltic citizens for 2019–2020:

1. Salaries of Estonians are 38% higher than those of Lithuanian citizens;
2. The wages of Latvians are 14% higher than those of Lithuanians;
3. At the same time, for residents of the Lithuanian state, the increase in wages is approximately 8.1%, while in Estonia – 7.6%, and in Latvia – only 3.3%.

Minimum and maximum wages in Lithuania are distributed as follows:

• 550 euros – the lowest salary at the beginning of 2021;
• 1300 euros – the average salary;
• a salary of 1,200 euros or more is considered quite decent, although far from the maximum.

The average salary in the capital of the state, Vilnius, is 1,400 euros, which is quite a lot by the standards of any CIS country (the income of Muscovites is not taken into account).

Average salary in Lithuania

To answer the common question “how much do they earn in Lithuania,” the easiest way is to provide data on average salaries. Before taxes, the average salary in the country in euros is 885, but the amount decreases after all mandatory payments. The net average salary is approximately 700 euros. Incomes of Lithuanians increased by 8.2 percent in the public sector, and by more than 10 percent in the private sector.

The level of your salary depends on many indicators: experience in this field, education, qualifications, chosen profession. It is believed that graduates of higher educational institutions in Lithuania immediately after training receive higher salaries than persons without education.

The greatest prospects open up, of course, in Vilnius. The average salary in Vilnius is 750 euros, including all taxes. The greatest growth in the economy is observed in the financial sector, as well as in the mining industry. There is a difference in earnings depending on gender. Men earn on average more - 966 euros per month, while women earn only 825 euros.

Overview of salaries by sector of employment in Lithuania

It was already mentioned above that the minimum and average wages in Lithuania differ significantly. This is due to the huge difference between the income of a qualified employee and an ordinary worker. An employee's education has a significant impact on his salary.

For example, a certified doctor receives 2,000 euros per month. A nurse or orderly – half as much. These are average figures, and this must be taken into account: in private clinics the figures can be much higher, and in public medical institutions they can be several times lower.

Salaries for various professions

Income in Lithuania varies depending on the profession and qualifications of the person. A teacher's salary is 700-800 euros per month, and a doctor's salary is 1500-2000 euros. Engineers can count on a fairly high profit - 1000-2000 euros. The salary of a truck driver is quite substantial - 1500-2000 euros. Check out the salaries of other professions. We have indicated the minimum and maximum values. Income of the population of Lithuania by profession:

• 
  nanny - 1000-1200;

• electrician - 600-800;
• maid - 400-600;
• seller - 600-800;
• builder - 1200-1500;
• loader - 400-500;
• fireman - 600-800;
• policeman - 600-800;
• lawyer - 1500-2500;
• programmer - 1000-3000.

Russians, Ukrainians and other residents of the post-Soviet space often consider Lithuania as a place for employment and higher wages than in their country. The construction sector is considered the most promising. What salary is in Lithuania depends on competition and demand among the population.

In the construction industry you will receive a decent income; there will always be vacancies here. Lithuanian employers are very concerned about their employees and provide comfortable working conditions, as well as food and accommodation. The housing provided may not be free, but it will cost much less than what you will find on your own.

We recommend these articles:

What is the retirement age in Latvia?

What salary do you get in Estonia?

Working as a mason

Bricklayer vacancies are open to qualified specialists with 2–3 years of experience in the construction, finishing and repair of residential and industrial buildings, cottages, shopping centers, and underground facilities. The standard requirements are:

• ability to lay brick, foam blocks, cinder blocks, ceramic blocks, gas blocks;
• erect walls and partitions;
• install thermal insulation;
• understand technical documentation, etc.

The average salary is 1000–2200 per month. Most often it is piecework and depends on the area or volume of work, wall thickness, etc.:

• brick (facade) 15–25 EUR/m²;
• brick up to 45 EUR/m³;
• block from 30 EUR/m³.

The work week is 6 days with possible overtime (on Sunday), 10–12 hours. Knowledge of Lithuanian, as a rule, is not required, since the teams, together with the leader, are entirely composed of foreigners who speak the same language.

Priority is given to already established teams of 3 or more people. The employer provides housing, deducting from the salary from 50 to 100 EUR per month, free work clothes, tools, and transportation.

Payroll taxes

Low wages in Lithuania compared to its western neighbors are fully compensated by a fairly moderate taxation system. Absolutely all citizens are required to pay income tax on their salaries, which is 24 percent. This tax is specified in the employment contract. It is the company or enterprise that is responsible for recording and transferring this percentage to the state.

There is also a social tax, which directly depends on the area of ​​your activity. Money from social taxes is transferred to the pension insurance system. Thus, citizens have the opportunity to ensure a peaceful old age. They can also open a retirement account for savings.

Income tax in Lithuania is 15 percent, and for small businesses the figure is 5 percent. VAT in Lithuania is 21 percent.

Filling vacancies

According to national statistics, Lithuania has a very low unemployment rate. Only 7% of the total working-age population is not officially employed. But these are approximate figures, since home-based and remote work may not be taken into account. Such statistics indicate that economic legal relations in the state are based on the principles of providing jobs to citizens first, and then, as an exception, foreign specialists can be attracted.

Education is one of the areas in which constant financial injections are made, and also, when a person is looking for a job, the state pays him a monthly allowance of 290 euros. This lends itself to regular reform. The essence of the reforms being carried out is to increase salaries for teachers at all levels, as well as increase stipend payments. In addition, local budgets support schools and kindergartens.

Since in recent years there have been statistics of a decrease in the number of students, which is associated with the low birth rate, as well as the migration of Lithuanians to other European countries. Such close attention to the educational sector is due to the need to train qualified specialists who will later be employed in Lithuania. Thanks to this approach to education, the unemployment rate is reduced by at least 1% annually.

As for hiring foreign citizens, local employers are not against establishing labor relations with Russians, but working in Lithuania for a Russian citizen has both advantages and disadvantages. First of all, Lithuania is as close as possible to Russia in terms of climate and mentality, way of life and spoken language.

But the cost of living in the country is high, and the average income of foreign workers is approximately 450 euros, of which more than half will be spent on living expenses.

Therefore, few domestic citizens go to Lithuania to earn money. But the prospect of moving to a permanent place of residence is more favorable. High income and an open visa-free program will allow you to find well-paid work in any corner of Europe.

Standard of living and prices in Lithuania in 2021

Lithuania, along with Latvia, is included in the ranking of the poorest countries in the European Union, where the standard of living by EU standards does not reach the European average. This is due to low wages, high unemployment and European prices. In 2015, the country switched to the euro. This did not translate into a sharp rise in prices, as many had predicted. Prices in Lithuania 2021 for food in supermarkets, transport, services, utility bills, rent and purchase of real estate are important to know for those who are considering this state for permanent residence. Below we will look at many parameters at once, including living expenses, food basket, interest on loans, average income of the population, etc. All this will help to compile more detailed information regarding the income and expenses of Lithuanians. Many are accustomed to comparing the Baltic countries with each other. It should be noted that the standard of living in Lithuania is comparable in many respects to Latvia. We can say that both of these countries are not too far from each other in terms of average salaries, economic conditions, etc. The standard of living in Estonia in 2021 turned out to be higher than in Lithuania and Latvia. Estonians have overtaken Lithuanians and Latvians in terms of average net salaries.

No. 1. Prices for renting apartments and utility bills in Lithuania in 2018

The city of Vilnius acts as the economic, student, tourist and cultural center of the country, where rental rates and prices per square meter are the highest. The Lithuanian capital is a popular tourist destination among Russians and tourists from other CIS countries. Vilnius is home to dozens of prestigious educational institutions. Including the highest salaries in the capital.

The cost of renting housing in Vilnius depends on the location, surrounding infrastructure, area, renovation, etc. In residential areas, a one-room apartment with an area of ​​30-40 square meters can be rented for an average of 300 €, and a two-room apartment will cost 390 € per month. In central areas, rent is 30-40% more expensive.

Below you can study the average prices for renting one-room and two-room apartments in cities such as Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda, Panevezys and Siauliai.

Communal payments

Lithuanians pay more for utilities than Russians. For a studio or one-room apartment with an area of ​​30-40 sq.m. utility bills (garbage removal, electricity, water, gas) will be about 100-110 euros (about 7000-7700 rubles).

Additional expenses

No. 2. Mortgages and real estate prices in Lithuania in 2018

Housing prices have not moved much away from Russian prices. A one-room apartment or studio with a good renovation with an area of ​​30-40 square meters in Lithuanian cities can be purchased for 18-22 thousand euros (within 1,300,000-1,500,000 rubles), with the exception of the capital. In Vilnius, a square meter is expensive compared to other cities. If we focus on the most prestigious central areas of Vilnius, then in such places 1 square meter costs on average 2600 €. It turns out that a modest studio of 30 square meters in the center of the capital will cost about 78,000 euros (more than 5 million rubles).

Mortgage loans

Mortgage loans have the lowest rates. The interest rate depends on various parameters: loan term, credit history of the borrower, monthly income, availability of additional sources of profit. As a rule, most Lithuanians prefer to take out a loan for a period of 10-20 years. In this case, the average interest rate varies within 2% per annum.

No. 3. Average salaries in Lithuania in 2018

Many Lithuanians move to other EU countries. This trend has been actively observed over the past 10-15 years. For example, in 2004 the country had a population of 3,445,857, but at the beginning of 2021 the population had dropped to 2,810,118 people. It turns out that over 13 years more than 600,000 people left the country. If you believe official statistics, unemployment in 2021 was about 7%. The main factor that influences the outflow of the young and active population from the country is low wages by EU standards. For example, Lithuanians earn 3.5-4 times less than residents of Germany.

A good salary here is considered to be a salary in the range of 800-1000 net euros. This income is mainly received by highly qualified specialists. The average resident receives €670 on average. The minimum wage is set at 380-400 €.

No. 4. Prices for food and groceries in Lithuania in 2018

It is cheaper to buy products at markets, large hypermarkets and supermarkets. The price level is not much different from Moscow. Some products may cost less and others may cost more.

Especially for your convenience, in the table below we have indicated the average prices in Lithuanian supermarkets for popular food products, including meat, fish, dairy products, sausage, drinks, alcohol, etc.

Cost of food

Average bill in restaurants and cafes in Lithuania in 2018

In ordinary cafes you can have dinner or lunch within 7-10 euros per person (about 500-700 rubles). It's a little more expensive in the capital. In restaurants, the average bill will vary in the range of 15-20 € (1000-1300 rubles). This applies to restaurants aimed at people with average incomes. In the most elite restaurants, the average bill can exceed 30-40 € per person.

No. 5. Transport prices in Lithuania in 2021: public transport, taxi

Below you can study the approximate tariffs for various transport in Lithuania: public (buses, trams, minibuses), taxis, bicycle and car rental.

Income by industry and profession

The salary of a Lithuanian largely depends on his professional background. There are 3 industries in which incomes are significantly higher than the national average:

• finance (average salary – 1,719 euros per month);
• insurance and private pension funds (1,709 euros);
• IT sector (1,682 euros).

In half of the industries, employee salaries do not reach the average level. We list the 3 economic sectors with the lowest wages:

• hotels and catering (658 euros);
• postal and courier services (711 euros);
• social assistance (770 euros).

The most popular profession in the country is truck driver. There are about 73 thousand heavy vehicle drivers in Lithuania, i.e. almost 5% of the working population. Officially, drivers receive only 535 euros (38.8 thousand rubles), but a significant part of their real income is per diem.

For comparison: Russian truck drivers earn 64 thousand rubles.

Figure 3. The trucking sector creates many jobs.

The second most popular profession is salesperson. The income of such workers on average does not exceed 500 euros (36.3 thousand rubles).

Table 2. Salaries in Lithuania by profession

Source: Delfi

Salaries of specialists in Lithuania are quite high. Almost all qualified employees receive a minimum of one thousand euros. The most notable exception to this rule is teachers, who earn only 600 – 800 euros per month.

This is interesting : teacher's salary in the USA

Despite good salaries, there are not enough qualified employees in the country. Local residents prefer to go to work in other European countries, which creates a shortage in the labor market. The Lithuanian government is trying to attract specialists from abroad, luring expats with increased salaries and simplified obtaining of residence permits. According to the forecast of the Lithuanian Ministry of Finance, the situation will not change in the coming years: wages will grow more and more slowly, and the shortage of personnel in the labor market will continue.