A green, baroque capital that has quietly become the EU's fintech licensing hub. Compact, ambitious and cheap for what you get.
What it costs to live in Vilnius
Rent here sits close to the national baseline for Lithuania, at roughly EUR 700 a month for a one-bed. Across the 60 EU cities we profile, that lands Vilnius in the middle of the range.
Against a typical net salary in Lithuania of about EUR 1,300, that is roughly 54% of take-home pay going on rent alone. City wages usually run above the national figure, so treat this as the cautious end.
What the economy runs on
Fintech licences, shared services, lasers.
Vilnius suits remote and freelance workers, since the country is set up for them, but the rent means you want income that is already established rather than a first freelance year.
How far English gets you
English carries you a long way in Vilnius, through work, restaurants and most services, though tax forms, rental contracts and municipal admin still arrive in Lithuanian.
Vilnius rates 72/100 for English, broadly in line with Lithuania as a whole at 70/100. There is a fuller breakdown on the English in Lithuania page.
What day-to-day life leans on
Lithuania is flat, at 10/100 for mountain access, which matters if hiking or skiing is part of how you want to live.
Worth weighing
Winters are long; the market is small.
Vilnius is the most expensive of the cities we cover in Lithuania, so it is worth pricing the alternatives before you commit: Kaunas (about EUR 530 a month).
City picked, country still open? See the full Lithuania overview including cost of living, safety, healthcare and the path to residence, or compare Lithuania with other EU countries.