Can foreigners buy property in Lithuania in 2026?

ELRA’s Lithuania note states that purchasing buildings or premises by foreign citizens carries no extra foreigner-only restrictions. Urban apartments transfer through a notary and must be entered in the Real Property Register (Nekilnojamojo turto registras) at the Centre of Registers to complete ownership. Budget notary and registry fees separately: Property purchase costs.

Non-resident mortgages are harder than resident ones; cash buyers still need clean KYC: Open a bank account. Owning a flat does not replace a residence permit if you plan to live full-time; MIGRIS rules remain separate.

Constitutional and land rules treat bare land differently from apartments. Foreign subjects who meet European and transatlantic integration criteria (EU, EEA, OECD and NATO-linked nationals and entities, and permanent residents of those states, among listed categories) can acquire many non-agricultural land types on similar terms to Lithuanian buyers. Subjects outside those criteria are generally barred from owning land, waters and forests, though use and lease paths may still exist.

Agricultural and forest land sit under the Law on the Purchase of Agricultural Land. Buyers commonly need National Land Service (NŽT) consent, face related-person hectare caps (often discussed around a 500 hectare private-acquisition ceiling, with a lower state-land band), farming-activity expectations and neighbour priority rights. Do not assume a “house with garden” is unrestricted until the cadastre classification is checked. City living alternatives while you decide: Rent in Lithuania and How to rent.

Hire a Lithuanian real-estate lawyer or experienced notary early. Pull Centre of Registers extracts for owner, mortgages and restrictions. Survey the building, confirm bendrija or administrator debts: Apartment association fees. Never wire a large “reservation” to a private account off-platform: the same discipline as Avoid rental scams.

Neighbourhood choice still matters after purchase: Living in Vilnius and Where to live in Lithuania.