Best Residence by Investment Lawyers in Marijampolė

About Residence by Investment Law in Marijampolė, Republic of Lithuania

Residence by investment in the Republic of Lithuania is not a classic golden visa. Lithuania does not grant residence solely for purchasing real estate or making a passive capital transfer. Instead, foreigners may obtain a temporary residence permit by actively participating in Lithuania’s economy, most commonly by establishing or investing in a Lithuanian company and managing it, or by founding an innovative startup that meets national innovation criteria. Marijampolė is a regional city with a growing industrial base and lower operating costs than major hubs, which makes it attractive for small to mid-size ventures seeking a practical entry point into the European Union and the Schengen Area.

The key legal basis is the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, which sets specific conditions for business and startup based residence. Core themes include proof of real economic activity, source of funds, compliance with tax and employment laws, and adherence to Schengen travel and biometrics rules. With a valid temporary residence permit, you can live in Lithuania, operate a business from Marijampolė, and travel within the Schengen Area for short stays. After several years of lawful residence and meeting integration conditions, long-term residence options may be available.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Residence by investment in Lithuania is compliance heavy and detail oriented. You may need a lawyer to choose the correct legal ground for your goals, for example business management, company shareholder route, startup founder route, or alternative pathways like the EU Blue Card if your profile fits. A lawyer can help structure and incorporate the appropriate entity type, usually a private limited liability company known as UAB, draft compliant corporate documents, and align company purposes with migration criteria.

Applicants regularly require legal help to prepare a robust business plan that demonstrates genuine economic activity, to document the lawful source of funds, and to meet quantitative thresholds that the law sets for business based residence. A lawyer helps you anticipate employment and payroll obligations, obtain certified translations, prepare criminal record and health insurance documentation, and avoid omissions that can trigger refusals.

During the process, advocacy is often needed for communication with the Migration Department, clarifying requests for additional information, handling background checks, responding to compliance audits, and appealing negative decisions if they arise. After approval, counsel assists with renewals, changes in company ownership, family reunification, and long-term residence planning, as well as coordinating tax residency, payroll registrations, and address declarations in Marijampolė.

Local Laws Overview

Primary legal framework. The Law on the Legal Status of Aliens governs residence permits and is implemented by the Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior. Applications are filed via the MIGRIS electronic system and completed with a biometrics appointment at a Migration Department customer service unit. Marijampolė residents are served by the regional Migration Department office network.

Eligible pathways related to investment and business. Lithuania permits temporary residence on business grounds if you are a shareholder or manager of a Lithuanian company engaged in real economic activity and meeting statutory criteria. The law sets quantitative indicators, such as a minimum level of paid-in capital or investment in the company and the employment of local staff. Exact thresholds and formulas are periodically updated, so you should confirm the current figures before investing. The Startup Visa program offers a separate route for innovative founders, based on an approved business plan and innovation assessment rather than capital alone.

What does not qualify. Purchasing real estate in Lithuania, including in Marijampolė, does not by itself grant a residence permit. Passive investments without operational activity do not satisfy business residence criteria.

General conditions for applicants. You must have valid travel documents, a clean criminal record from your country of nationality or residence, health insurance that meets Lithuanian requirements unless you are state insured, sufficient means of subsistence, and confirmed accommodation in Lithuania. All foreign documents must typically be legalized or apostilled and translated into Lithuanian by a certified translator.

Processing and duration. Temporary residence permits are usually issued for up to 1 or 2 years at a time depending on the ground and may be renewed if the company remains compliant and active. Standard processing often takes several months from biometrics submission, with an urgent procedure available for an additional fee, subject to change.

Compliance and audits. The Migration Department may check whether your business in Marijampolė is actually operating, employing staff as required, paying taxes and social contributions, and meeting paid-in capital or investment requirements. Non-compliance can lead to refusal, non-renewal, or revocation.

Family members. Spouses and minor children can usually apply for residence on family reunification grounds after you obtain your permit, subject to proof of relationship and means of support.

Path to long-term residence. After several years of continuous lawful residence, you may be eligible for a long-term resident permit if you meet integration conditions such as a Lithuanian language exam and a test on the basics of the Constitution, and if you have maintained compliant residence and tax records. Physical presence requirements and permitted absences apply.

Tax and registrations. Incorporations are registered with the Centre of Registers. Businesses must register with the State Tax Inspectorate for taxes and with the State Social Insurance Fund Board for payroll. Most UABs face a corporate income tax of 15 percent, with reduced rates possible for qualifying small companies subject to statutory conditions. Meeting tax obligations is an important part of maintaining residence eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Lithuania have a golden visa that grants residence for a passive investment or property purchase?

No. Lithuania does not operate a classic golden visa. Residence linked to investment is based on active business activity or innovative startup creation, not on passive real estate purchase or pure capital transfer.

What is the typical investment threshold for the business based residence route?

The law sets quantitative criteria, such as paid-in capital or investment into a Lithuanian company and the employment of local staff. The exact thresholds and formulas are periodically updated by legislation. Before investing, obtain current figures from the Migration Department or a lawyer to ensure your plan aligns with the latest requirements.

Can I qualify by buying an apartment in Marijampolė?

No. Real estate acquisition alone does not grant a residence permit in Lithuania. If you wish to live in Marijampolė, you must qualify under an eligible ground such as business management and ownership, startup founder status, employment, studies, or family reunification.

Do I have to employ Lithuanian or EU staff in my company?

For the business based residence route, employing local staff is typically required. The law specifies the number of employees and other indicators to demonstrate real economic activity. Requirements change from time to time, so verify the current numbers before hiring.

How long does the residence application take?

Processing times vary by workload and the route chosen. A general expectation is several months from biometrics submission under standard procedure, with a shorter urgent option available for an extra fee. Timelines can change, and incomplete files or extra checks can add time.

Can my spouse and children join me?

Yes. Spouses and minor children may usually apply for residence based on family reunification after you obtain your permit. You will need to prove the family relationship, show accommodation and means of support, and submit legalized and translated documents.

Will I be free to travel in the Schengen Area?

With a valid Lithuanian temporary residence permit, you can travel visa free within the Schengen Area for short stays, generally up to 90 days within any 180 day period. Your main residence must remain in Lithuania, and you must comply with physical presence rules for renewals and long-term residence planning.

What documents are commonly required?

Common items include a valid passport, business plan and corporate documents for your Lithuanian company, proof of investment and source of funds, evidence of real economic activity, employment contracts and payroll records if staff are required, criminal record certificate, health insurance, proof of accommodation, proof of means of subsistence, and legalized translations into Lithuanian. A lawyer can tailor the checklist to your route.

What if my company underperforms after I receive the permit?

Your permit and renewals depend on continuing to meet legal criteria. If the company ceases real economic activity, fails to meet employment or capital indicators, or falls out of tax compliance, renewal may be denied and the permit can be revoked. Proactive compliance, timely filings, and early legal advice are essential.

Is the Startup Visa route available in Marijampolė?

Yes. The Startup Visa is a national program. If your innovative business is approved, you can base operations in Marijampolė or elsewhere in Lithuania. This route focuses on innovation and feasibility rather than traditional capital thresholds but still requires compliance with residence and tax laws.

Additional Resources

Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior for residence rules, applications, and appointments. State Enterprise Centre of Registers for company incorporation and corporate filings. State Tax Inspectorate for tax registration and compliance. State Social Insurance Fund Board for payroll and social contributions. Employment Service for labor market matters. Invest Lithuania and Startup Lithuania for investment and startup support. Marijampolė Municipality administration for local address declarations, permits, and business support information. Regional chambers of commerce and business incubators for networking and local market guidance.

Next Steps

Clarify your goal. Decide whether your profile fits the business owner route, startup founder route, or another legal basis such as employment or family reunification. Set realistic timelines and budgets.

Engage a lawyer early. Ask for a feasibility assessment tailored to Marijampolė, including current statutory thresholds, employment obligations, tax planning, and documentary requirements. Request a step by step plan and a document checklist.

Structure the business. Choose an entity type, typically a UAB. Prepare articles of association, share capital, bank account arrangements, and a business plan that demonstrates real activity in or from Marijampolė. Align hiring and payroll plans with legal indicators.

Prepare documentation. Gather passports, criminal record certificates, source of funds evidence, health insurance, proof of accommodation, and corporate documents. Legalize or apostille foreign documents and arrange certified Lithuanian translations.

File through MIGRIS and book biometrics. Submit the application electronically, then attend your biometrics appointment at the designated Migration Department unit. Respond promptly to any requests for additional information.

Comply after approval. Register your address, enroll for taxes and social insurance, keep accurate accounting, and maintain employment and capital indicators. Track deadlines for renewals and plan early for family reunification and long-term residence eligibility, including language and civic exams.

If you need legal assistance now, collect your goals, personal history, and any existing corporate documents, then schedule a consultation with a Lithuanian immigration and corporate lawyer who has recent experience with business based residence in regional cities such as Marijampolė.