Known as the Republic of Lithuania, Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, one of the three Baltic States, along with Latvia and Estonia. It lies along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, bordered by Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, Poland to the south, and Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast to the southwest. The country is known for its forests, lakes, and rolling hills, along with its rich and unique history; having once been part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, one of the largest and most influential states in medieval Europe, a strong cultural identity rooted in folklore, pagan traditions, and a thriving modern arts scene.
Its capital, Vilnius, is a charming city known for its Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical architecture, and vibrant start-up scene, universities, and green spaces, making it both a cultural and intellectual hub. It is also home to landmarks like the Old Town (one of the largest and best-preserved in Europe), Gediminas’ Tower (a symbol of the city), Vilnius Cathedral, the Gates of Dawn, Uzupis (a bohemian district that declared itself a 'Republic'), and the Bell Tower.
UTC+2 daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October.
Flooding, storms, droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires.
Here are some traffic & driving-related offences to keep aware of in Lithuania:
It's not uncommon for speeding fines to arrive weeks or even months later via your rental company or mail. Rental companies often charge an administrative fee on top of the fine for processing.
Other offences include:
After a long period of occupation in the 20th century, including Soviet rule, Lithuania regained its independence in 1990, becoming the first Soviet republic to do so.
In Lithuania, vehicles drive on the right and overtake on the left. Vehicles may turn right on red only if a green arrow is present, but must stop and yield to pedestrians first, and dipped headlights must be on at all times, year-round.
The minimum age to drive is 18. However, you must be at least 21 and have a minimum of one year's driving experience in order to rent a car (Expect an extra daily fee if you are under 25). UK drivers don't need an International Driving Permit (IDP) as long they have a valid UK photocard driving licence. But if you have an older paper driving licence, or one issued from Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man, you may need an IDP (some car rental companies still require an IDP, regardless of licence).
Cities like Vilnius use coloured zones (blue, yellow, green, red) with varying rules and costs. Avoid parking near tram tracks, bus stops (within 15m), or crossroads (within 5m). Also, rural roads can be narrow and unlit; beware of livestock, carts, and poor lighting at night, and winter tyres are mandatory from 10th November to 1st April, with studded tyres allowed from 1st November to 9th April; vehicles with studs must display a rear sticker.
95 RON petrol, 98 RON petrol, Diesel and LPG are common in petrol stations, but E85 (bioethanol) is very scarce with only a handful of Baltic Petroleum or Viada stations may carry it. Payment is mostly inside the store (marked 'PARDUOTUVĖ') or it is done via a self-service kiosk near the entrance. Pre-payment is often required between ~22:00 and 06:00.
According to Lithuanian law:
The BAC limit is 0.04%, while it is 0.00% for new drivers (less than two years of experience).
Seat belts are compulsory for all passengers.
Child seat rules apply to children under 12.