Lithuania is bound by EU legislation and has transposed relevant provisions through Law No. IX-2206 on the Legal Status of Foreigners, 29 April 2004 | Lietuvos Respublikos įstatymas dėl užsieniečių teisinės padėties and related amendments to the act. 

Law No. IX-2206 on the Legal Status of Foreigners, 29 April 2004 | Lietuvos Respublikos įstatymas dėl užsieniečių teisinės padėties

The legal basis for the provision of information to applicants for international protection in Lithuania is established under Law No. IX-2206 on the Legal Status of Foreigners, 29 April 2004 | Lietuvos Respublikos įstatymas dėl užsieniečių teisinės padėties, along with its subsequent amendments. According to article 71(1)(2), every applicant for asylum has the right to receive, free of charge and in a language they understand, essential information about their rights and obligations, as well as the potential consequences of failing to comply with these duties. Furthermore, this article requires that applicants be informed about the procedural aspects of their application, thereby guaranteeing transparency and enabling informed participation in the asylum process.

In Lithuania, the screening procedure as outlined in the Screening Regulation and the Asylum Procedures Regulation, will enter into application as of 12 June 2026. Until then, information related to asylum procedures is provided at the point when a third-country national expresses the intention to seek international protection. At this stage, the State Border Guard Service is responsible for informing individuals of their right to apply for asylum in a language the applicant understands. Lithuanian legislation does not differentiate between the “making” and “lodging” of an application, both are treated as a single step.

The setting and format in which information is provided vary. Upon initial registration, applicants receive a printed document detailing the procedural steps, their rights and obligations, and relevant timelines. This document is generated automatically by the MIGRIS system and can be printed in multiple languages depending on the applicant’s nationality. In practice, information is often delivered individually, though group formats are not excluded. Leaflets and brochures, available at border crossing points, are used for dissemination and may be complemented by oral explanations from the officers.

Information provision is the responsibility of the competent authorities, particularly the State Border Guard Service and the Migration Department, although NGOs such as the Lithuanian Red Cross also contribute by producing and distributing complementary materials. The content typically includes details on the asylum process, applicants’ rights and responsibilities, the purpose of the initial interview, the principle of confidentiality, and the consequences of non-compliance with procedural requirements.

Materials are available in a range of languages, including English, Arabic, Armenian, Dari, Farsi, Hindi, Pashto, Tajik, Georgian, Spanish, Lithuanian, French, Russian, and Vietnamese. The information is delivered in different formats: written leaflets, oral communication, and online resources.

Information and leaflets are available on the official website of the Migration Department and through the Lithuanian Red Cross leaflet.

Currently, no specific materials are available for applicants with special needs, such as unaccompanied minors or victims of trafficking.

According to Article 65 of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners, third-country nationals held in detention facilities, border crossing points, or transit zones must be informed about their right to seek asylum if there is any indication that they may wish to apply. This information must be provided in a language they understand and is typically shared during the process of determining their legal status. The responsible authority for delivering this information is the State Border Guard Service, and the format is primarily oral communication, supported by written materials where applicable.

In Lithuania, information regarding the Dublin III Regulation is provided to asylum applicants at the initial stage of the asylum procedure upon their arrival to the country. This information is communicated by officers of the State Border Guard Service, who are responsible for informing applicants in a language they understand, both orally and in writing. Additionally, Dublin-specific leaflets, prepared by the Migration Department, are issued to applicants and made available on the Migration Department’s website. These materials outline the Dublin procedure and the rights of applicants under this framework.

The provision of information continues upon lodging an application for asylum, at which point an initial interview is conducted. The aim of this interview is to gather data on the applicant and any accompanying family members, to trace the route, to Lithuania and to collect information relevant for determining which EU Member State is responsible under the Dublin Regulation and to record the applicant’s reasons for seeking protection. A separate Dublin-specific interview is only conducted in rare cases, typically when additional clarification is required to determine responsibility for examining the application.

The Migration Department and the State Border Guard Service share responsibility for providing information on the Dublin procedure. The information includes an explanation of the purpose and scope of the Dublin Regulation, the applicant’s right to a personal interview, the criteria used to determine the Member State responsible, and the right to appeal a transfer decision. The Dublin leaflet distributed to applicants includes contact details of Lithuanian state institutions and international organisations, such as the UNHCR, that offer assistance. Furthermore, asylum seekers may directly contact the Migration Department or the UNHCR office in Lithuania for additional guidance on the Dublin procedure.

Information on the Dublin procedure is made available in a variety of formats and languages: it is provided orally during interviews or meetings and in writing through leaflets. These materials are available in many languages, including English, Arabic, Armenian, Dari, Persian, Hindi, Pashto, Tajik, Georgian, Spanish, Lithuanian, French, Russian, Vietnamese, Urdu and Somali.

Lithuania also provides targeted materials for applicants with special needs in the context of the Dublin system. This includes information specifically designed for unaccompanied minors.

Regarding relocation and transfers, the State Border Guard Service is responsible for organising and enforcing transfers under the Dublin procedure. They are also tasked with informing applicants about transfer modalities, including how the transfer will be carried out, timelines, and what support is available. When a transfer decision is issued, the applicant is notified by the Asylum Division of the Migration Department and the decision is delivered in person. Interpretation services are arranged when necessary.

The transfer decision includes a statement of the decision itself, the reasons and legal basis for the decision, information on the applicant’s right to appeal and details on the availability of free legal assistance. It also clearly states the deadline for lodging an appeal.

For publicly available information materials related to the Dublin procedure in Lithuania, applicants can refer to the Dublin leaflets hosted on the Migration Department’s official website.

In Lithuania, when an applicant is scheduled for a personal or admissibility interview, they are notified in advance through an official written invitation issued by the Migration Department. This invitation is bilingual, written in Lithuanian and the applicant’s native language or a language they understand. The invitation includes details such as date, time, and place of the interview, as well as the applicant’s obligation to cooperate with the Migration Department. It also requests the applicant to indicate whether they agree to participate and whether they wish to have a legal representative present.

The information is provided in an individual setting, not through group sessions, and typically sent via email or delivered physically to the institution where the applicant resides (e.g. Foreigner Registration Centre). The interviews themselves are recorded with an audio device.

At the beginning of the personal interview, the interviewing official provides a verbal explanation of the aim and purpose of the interview, the confidential nature of the process, their rights and responsibilities, including the obligation to provide accurate and complete information, and the possibility of interpretation if needed. The interviewers also clarify who is present, what their roles are and explain that the interview will be recorded. At the conclusion of the interview, applicants are given a summary of the next procedural steps, potential outcomes and their right to submit any additional evidence. While there is no fixed legal deadline for submitting further documents, applicants are allowed to provide evidence up to the point a decision is issued.

When a decision has been made, the applicant is formally notified in a language they understand, in accordance with Article 82.2 of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners. If the applicant is granted refugee status or subsidiary protection, the Migration Department provides clear information about the rights and obligations attached to the status such as the right to reside in Lithuania, access to social and healthcare services and the conditions for family reunification. The information is provided both orally and in writing.

In the case of a negative decision, the applicant is notified through a decision document that includes an abstract summarising the reasons for the refusal. This abstract is also used by the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) Investigation Teams in registration centres to help the applicant understand the grounds of the decision. The notification includes details about the right to appeal, with an explanation of procedural steps, deadlines, and a check-box allowing the applicant to request a state-sponsored lawyer for the appeal process.

If an application is rejected, the applicant may also receive information related to return procedures, including the possibility of voluntary return. This information is tailored to the individual’s case and provided either orally or in writing, depending on the applicant’s needs and circumstances. Officers are responsible for responding to any questions the applicant may have, covering issues such as the appeal process, judicial proceedings, legal aid, and return arrangements.

In Lithuania, the Reception and Integration Agency ensures that asylum seekers are properly informed of their rights and available services shortly after their arrival. Within 10 days of a foreigner’s accommodation at a temporary reception facility, a responsible staff member of the agency provides written and oral information in a language the applicant understands. This information covers the rights and obligations of asylum seekers under Lithuanian law, available healthcare services, cash allowances and benefits, and services provided on-site at the accommodation facility. In addition, asylum seekers are informed about institutions, organisations, agencies, and volunteers that provide legal and other forms of assistance. The provided information includes contact details such as addresses, telephone numbers, and websites.

The information is delivered in multiple formats, including leaflets, posters and orally. This information is not only presented during the initial orientation but is also continuously displayed in common areas of the accommodation facilities. In this process, NGOs supplements official communications with additional support.

As for legal assistance and representation, asylum seekers are informed of their right to free legal aid, especially in the context of appealing a negative decision on their asylum application. In line with Article 71(1)(2) of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners, applicants receive information free of charge and in a language they understand on their rights and obligations during the asylum procedure, including information about free legal assistance available for appeals.

Special provisions exist for detained asylum seekers. Under Article 114(3) of the same law, any individual placed in detention is immediately informed in writing, in a language they understand about the reasons for their detention, the procedures for appealing the detention, and the possibility of obtaining free legal aid.

Targeted information is also developed for applicants with special needs, such as unaccompanied minors (UAMs), who receive specific materials tailored to their needs.

For more information, the Migration Department website and UNHCR Lithuania website provide information on legal assistance and representation.

Lithuania currently does not implement resettlement and humanitarian admissions programme.

In Lithuania, beneficiaries of international protection receive information on the content of their protection status and associated rights and obligations immediately upon a positive asylum decision is issued. According to Articles 86 and 87 of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners, the Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior is the authority responsible for granting and revoking refugee and subsidiary protection statuses. Once a decision to grant protection is made, the beneficiary receives a formal written notification, which outlines their legal status, corresponding rights and duties, and relevant procedures moving forward. While the official documentation is provided in Lithuanian, the Migration Department ensures that an accompanying explanation is provided in a language the beneficiary understands.

Beneficiaries of international protection are introduced to integration activities and related services soon after the notification of the protection status. This process begins when the Reception and Integration Agency enters into a formal integration support agreement with the beneficiary. From that moment, the designated staff members of the agency provide both oral and written information regarding available integration services. These include education, healthcare, social assistance, psychological support, and translation services, as well as access to legal consultations (excluding state-guaranteed legal aid, which is handled separately).

Beneficiaries of international protection also receive information related to employment and the Lithuanian labour market. This information is shared throughout the integration period, both during the individual’s residence in the reception centre and later within the municipality where they live. The content includes an introduction to the labour market, skills and competitiveness assessment, support for vocational training, guidance on starting a business, business development and employee recruitment processes. The Employment Service, the Reception and Integration Agency and municipal integration actors are responsible for providing this support through consultations, training sessions, and individually tailored activities, in accordance with the beneficiary’s integration plan.

Similarly, beneficiaries of international protection are informed about educational opportunities, starting at the point of signing the integration support agreement. Information covers adult education (particularly Lithuanian language and cultural integration courses), vocational education, support with school enrolment for children, language assistance and subsidies for school supplies. These services are provided by the Agency and municipal institutions, through consultations, document assistance, and ongoing educational support as part of the integration process.

Beneficiaries of international protection are informed about available essential medical services, psychological care, and social support at the same point in the integration timeline, at the beginning with the agency and continuing within the municipality. Staff members provide detailed consultations, help complete required paperwork and offer referrals to health institutions.

Holders of international protection status also receive information about residence permits and the procedures required to obtain or renew them. The Agency, in cooperation with the Migration Department, provides legal consultations and procedural guidance to help beneficiaries navigate the documentation process. Information includes the types of migration documents required, deadlines, and the process for maintaining legal residence in Lithuania. These consultations occur both in reception centres and later at the municipal level.

In Lithuania, applicants for international protection accommodated in reception centres receive comprehensive information about their rights, obligations, and reception conditions within 10 days of their arrival. This is the responsibility of a designated staff member of the Reception and Integration Agency, who delivers the information both orally and in writing, in a language the applicant understands. The information includes rights and duties under Lithuanian law, available healthcare services, cash allowances and benefits and the range of services provided at the temporary accommodation facility. Additionally, applicants are informed about institutions, agencies, NGOs, and volunteer organisations that can provide legal, psychosocial, and other types of assistance, along with the relevant contact details (addresses, phone numbers, websites).

Applicants must also be informed no later than the first working day after accommodation about the internal rules of the reception centre, approved by the Agency’s Director. The rules are presented in writing, translated into a language understood by the applicant, and a signed acknowledgment of receipt is required.

The information is provided in person, during individual sessions, and reinforced via group information sessions conducted regularly in the common areas of the reception centres. Visual and written materials, such as leaflets, posters, and brochures, are also displayed prominently in the common spaces.

The Reception and Integration Agency is the main authority responsible for developing and disseminating these materials. In collaboration with NGOs such as the Lithuanian Red Cross, additional legal counselling and psychosocial support are provided. The Red Cross also supports applicants in family reunification cases. The information materials, developed by both the agency and NGOs, are available in written, oral, and visual formats, and are also accessible online through the Agency’s website.

To ensure inclusivity, the information is available in English, Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bengali, Farsi, Hindi, Spanish, Lithuanian, Pashto, French, Tajik, Russian, Uzbek, Urdu, Turkish, Tamil, Ukrainian, Somali, Sinhala, and both Sorani and Kurmanji Kurdish, as well as Vietnamese. Additionally, tailored materials have been developed for applicants with special needs, including unaccompanied minors and victims of trafficking or sexual violence, with leaflets and posters prepared by both the agency and NGOs to address their specific needs.

Applicants are informed about access to primary healthcare services, including vaccinations and essential medical care, in accordance with Lithuania’s national healthcare programs. This information is provided within 10 days of accommodation by the Agency’s staff, in a language the applicant understands, and through both individual consultations and visual materials placed throughout the facility.

Regarding employment rights, applicants who are eligible to work receive information and support via the Employment Service, which offers consultations, job-matching assistance, and employment mediation. The Reception and Integration Agency staff also provide in-person support and information sessions inside the reception centres. Additional consultations and job-seeking assistance may be provided remotely for other applicants.

When it comes to education, staff members of the Reception and Integration Agency conduct personal consultations and group information sessions and also offer remote consultations when needed. The sessions provide guidance on enrolment procedures, language support, and access to general and vocational education, including for children and adults.

In Lithuania, third-country nationals placed in detention are informed of the reasons for their detention and the procedures for challenging the detention order immediately upon being detained. This obligation is laid out in Article 114(3) of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners (Law No. IX-2206). The information must be provided in writing, in a language the detained individual understands, and must also include a clear explanation of their right to appeal the detention decision as well as the possibility to access free legal aid. The responsible authority for delivering this information is the State Border Guard Service (SBGS.

In addition to legal information, detained individuals are also provided with details about the rules governing life in the detention facility and their rights and obligations while in detention. This is a procedural requirement that must be fulfilled within 10 days of the person’s arrival at the Foreigners’ Registration Centre, which operates under the SBGS. The information includes internal rules of conduct, access to services, disciplinary procedures, and general expectations during detention. It is primarily provided in writing, but if written communication is not possible, the information must be delivered orally in a language the foreigner can reasonably be expected to understand. The foreigner is then required to sign a declaration confirming that they have received this information.