Reception - Lithuania | DIP EUAA
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Lithuania is bound by the recast Reception Conditions Directive and has transposed its provisions through the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners No IX-2206 of 29 April 2004 | ĮSTATYMAS DĖL UŽSIENIEČIŲ TEISINĖS PADĖTIES - 2004 m. balandžio 29, d. Nr. IX-2206
29/04/2004: Lithuania transposes the recast Reception Conditions Directive by the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners No IX-2206 of 29 April 2004 | ĮSTATYMAS DĖL UŽSIENIEČIŲ TEISINĖS PADĖTIES - 2004 m. balandžio 29, d. Nr. IX-2206 and its amendments
Related legal acts were also approved by the Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania by Order No. A1-2 of 3 January 2025, titled: "On the Implementation of the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on the Legal Status of Foreigners."
Description of the Procedure for Determining the Vulnerability of Foreigners, approved by the Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania, by Order No. A1-947 of 31 December 2024.
Description of the Procedure for Reception Conditions Ensured for Detained Foreigners by the Reception and Integration Agency, approved by the Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania and the Minister of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania, by Order No. A1-935/1V-783 of 27 December 2024.
Description of the Procedure for the Provision of State-Guaranteed Legal Aid to Foreigners, approved by the Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania, by Order No. A1-939 of 27 December 2024.
| Authority responsible for reception | The Reception and Integration Agency operates under the authority of the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania. The purpose of the Reception and Integration Agency is to provide and ensure material reception conditions for applicants for international protection, as well as to guarantee access to a range of services, including but not limited to healthcare, legal assistance, education for minors, early integration support, information provision, and the protection of their fundamental rights; to ensure appropriate care and representation for unaccompanied minors, in accordance with their best interests. The Agency comprises three reception centers located in Vilnius, Rukla and Pabradė. Migration Department is in charge of the decision on accommodation only for asylum seekers who are not admitted to the Republic of Lithuania, who are accommodated in temporary accommodation facilities or if an applicant admitted to the territory wishes to reside at his/her own place. The State Border Guard Service under the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania is the authority responsible for the Foreigners Registration Centre in Pabrade, a facility aimed to provide reception for detained TCN in Lithuania (including detained asylum seekers). The State border guard conducts also the initial steps of asylum procedure: preliminary interviews, initial vulnerability checks as well as fingerprinting and photo taking. SBGS is also in charge of the control of illegal migration. The Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania is the main institution responsible for reception and integration policy for asylum seekers,refugees and other foreign nationals. |
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| Other actors involved | State or municipal institutions and bodies, other institutions, enterprises and non-governmental organisations are involved in the reception of asylum seekers at different level. They can provide accommodation and be contracted to provide reception activities. The Agency shall also enter into cooperation agreements or sign memorandum of understanding with relevant stakeholders. From NGOs and international organisations, the most active are:
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According to the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners, the Reception and Integration Agency is a budgetary institution designated by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, responsible for providing social, accommodation, and other reception-related services to:
- asylum seekers,
- refugees,
- their family members in cases of family reunification,
- unaccompanied minors,
- foreigners who are or have been victims of crimes related to human trafficking,
- foreigners during the period of decision-making or enforcement regarding their return to a foreign state or removal from the Republic of Lithuania,
- foreigners resettled to the territory of the Republic of Lithuania by decision of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania,
- and other foreigners entitled to reception-related services, either in full or in part, under this or other laws or by decision of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.
The rights and responsibilities of the founder of the Reception Agency are exercised by the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania.
The reception system is managed centrally by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, but can also operate with the contributions from different stakeholders such as the Ministry of Interior, non-governmental organisations and municipalities under the supervision of the Migration Department. More specifically:
- The State Border Guard Service (SBGS) manages the Foreigners’ Registration Centre in Pabradė (where detained applicants are residing) and the border guard posts (where applicants can be temporary accommodated immediately after crossing the Lithuanian border and before being transferred to a Reception Centre)
- Reception Centres in Vilnius, Rukla and Pabradė are managed by the Reception and Integration Agency under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour.
- Furthermore, asylum seekers canseek accommodation on their own expense if this is permitted by the Migration Department.
In accordance with applicable legislation, asylum seekers are accommodated in temporary accommodation facilities managed by the Reception and Integration Agency.
Upon submission of an asylum application, the Migration Department may allow the asylum seeker to reside at a location of their own choice.
The accommodation conditions and procedures are determined both by the Minister of Social Security and Labour and by internal regulations adopted by the Reception and Integration Agency.
Vulnerable persons and their family members are accommodated in facilities that meet their specific needs. Where feasible, and subject to a decision by the Migration Department, vulnerable persons may be permitted to reside with an adult close relative lawfully present in the territory of the Republic of Lithuania, with a guardian, or in other accommodation suited to their special needs.
The Agency has also adopted the Reception and Integration Agency’s Standard for Reception Conditions.
As a general practice, unaccompanied minors are accommodated at the Rukla Reception Centre, along with victims of human trafficking, torture, and psychological, physical, or sexual violence.
The staff working in the reception centres includes social workers, case workers, psychologists, paramedics, nurses, medical doctors, administrative personnel, and other relevant professionals. In accordance with national law, social workers and case workers are required to complete a prescribed number of training hours. The Agency annually approves a staff training plan encompassing a wide range of topics, including the prevention and identification of human trafficking and gender-based violence, reception of vulnerable persons, training regarding child protection and safeguarding standards for children, including unaccompanied minors, as well as the identification of victims of torture and violence, among others.
Upon making the application, an asylum seeker shall access to material reception condition.
Unaccompanied minors and asylum seekers who arrive in Lithuania have the right to stay in the country until a final decision is made on their legal status.
After the arrival and the vulnerability assessment procedure, applicants are accommodated for the first steps of the reception procedure.
In case of declared state of emergency, individuals who does not apply for asylum at the border crossing points are accommodated in the Foreigner Registration Centre or other premises restricting their freedom of movement pending a decision on the entry on the territory is issued by the Migration Department.
The Migration Department decides on the accommodation of the asylum seeker also for individuals who are granted entry into the Republic of Lithuania and wish to stay in the chosen apartment (if person provide details of their place of residence and provide documents confirming the legality of their residence in that place of residence).
After the positive result of the application of international protection, a third country national is allowed to settle in the Reception Centres, managed by the Agency, where social integration is implemented through language/socio-cultural orientation courses as well as counselling and trainings to facilitate access to employment.
If the application result is negative, the third country national will stay in the Alien Registration Centre, where the voluntary repatriation or return procedure will take place enforced by the State Border Guard Service.
An applicant can benefit the material reception conditions until the final decision on asylum or a final decision on refusal of asylum. when the final decision enters into force person is transferred from Reception Centres to Foreigners Registration Centre immediately or he/she is detained in order to enforce the removal decision.
In case of a high influx of asylum applicants, two types of measures are foreseen in the national legislation:
- Temporary accommodation: transportable, temporary constructions or other accommodation which is open to the public, including the area in which it is located, or non-residential premises which may be adapted to accommodate a large number of people (including collective protective structures); and
- Temporary dwelling places: areas that meet the requirements set out in law where temporary dwelling may be located.
The Agency is actively working to finalize cooperation agreements and memorandums of understanding with key partners—particularly non-governmental and international organizations—to enhance coordination and preparedness in situations involving a high influx of third-country nationals.
The Agency has also signed cooperation agreements with two municipalities—Jonava and Panevėžys—under which the municipalities have agreed to adapt accommodation facilities for reception purposes. They are obliged to accommodate asylum seekers, other third-country nationals, and stateless persons, if necessary, in cases where the national reception system becomes overwhelmed.
Foreigners Registration Centre: a border facility where asylum seekers and detained TCN are accommodated during the processing of their asylum applications. It’ s collective accommodation provided with different dormitory for vulnerable persons. In this facility the first steps of an application can be carried out, if person applied for asylum there.
The Foreigner Registration Centre is provided with a dormitory specifically adapted for people with reduced mobility which will provide adequate housing and hygiene conditions for vulnerable asylum seekers. It will also allow for the separate accommodation of vulnerable asylum seekers on the basis of their religion or nationality.
There are separate accommodation for men, women, families of vulnerable asylum seekers, single people. Given that vulnerable women often include minors, the new building will accommodate 5 children and provide them with additional security measures.
Basic dwelling equipment, kitchen appliances, inventory and other goods were purchased to ensure proper accommodation in this dormitory.
Reception Centres: managed by the Agency, are facilities that accommodate asylum seekers, refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, unaccompanied minors, and applicants whose freedom of movement is not restricted. These are collective accommodation centres where residents have access to education, social integration activities, and vocational training opportunities.
Alternative and Temporary Accommodations: Facilities arranged by State or municipal institutions and bodies, other institutions, enterprises and non-governmental organisations. Temporary accommodations are used in case no places are available in the Foreigners Registration Centre.
According to the law on the Legal Status of Foreigners, municipal authorities may be temporarily granted the use of state-owned property to provide free accommodation for foreigners who are entitled to or have been granted temporary protection. Accommodation-related expenses are reimbursed from the state budget. The Government of the Republic of Lithuania or an authorized institution establishes the rules for property use, submission of related information, and reimbursement procedures. Compensation may also be provided for free accommodation voluntarily offered by individuals or private entities. Such compensation does not affect any other legally prescribed social benefits the person may receive. (Amended on 4 November 2024)
| Name of the reception facility | border reception facilities |
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| Access description | closed |
| Management | different units of State Border Guard Service (SBGS):
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| Type of applicants accommodated | applicants not allowed to enter territory |
| Number of centres | 20 in total: all the border guard posts have 1 facility for accommodating asylum seekers, with the exclusion of Vilnius Airport, which has 3 premises. |
| Capacity | 4 people can be accommodated in each premise. Applicants can be transferred to another Border guard’s post if there is not enough space. |
| Location of the centres within the country |
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| Name of the reception facility | Foreigners Registration Centre (Uzsienieciu registracijos centras) |
|---|---|
| Regime | Open/Closed (for detained asylum seekers) |
| Management | State Border Guard Service (SBGS) |
| Type of applicants accommodated |
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| Number of centres | 1 |
| Capacity |
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| Location of the centres within the country | The centre is located in the city of Pabrade, near the border with Belarus. |
| Name of the reception facility | Reception Centres |
|---|---|
| Regime | Open |
| Management | The Reception and Integration Agency under the authority of the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania |
| Type of applicants accommodated |
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| Number of centres | 3 |
| Capacity |
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| Location of the centres within the country |
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| Name of the reception facility | N/a |
|---|---|
| Regime | N/a |
| Management | N/a |
| Type of applicants accommodated | N/a |
| Number of centres | N/a |
| Capacity | N/a |
| Location of the centres within the country | N/a |
| Name of the reception facility | Temporary accommodation (Laikinas būstas) |
|---|---|
| Regime | No available information |
| Management | No available information |
| Type of applicants accommodated | No available information |
| Number of centres | No available information |
| Capacity | No available information |
| Location of the centres within the country | No available information |
Applicants with special needs/vulnerabilities can be accommodated both in the special dormitory of the Foreigners’ Registration Centre, Reception and integration agency Centers and the Temporary Accommodations provided by the municipalities and other civil actors under the following criteria:
- Minor asylum seekers shall be accommodated, in their best interests, together with legal representatives;
- Men and women shall be accommodated separately, apart for the families.
- Accommodation or temporary accommodation shall be selected based on the status of asylum seekers as vulnerable persons. The relevant authority shall address the vulnerability requirements.
- Asylum seekers belonging to the category of vulnerable persons shall be accommodated together with family members who have applied for asylum.
In the case of temporary accommodation, if this is not possible, the abovementioned requirements of the description shall not apply.
In the foreigners’ registration centre dormitory for applicants with special needs, there are 6 living rooms, a lounge and a kitchen. The building can accommodate a total of 15 persons, with 2 of them being disabled persons
Victims of human trafficking, torture or other forms of violence shall be accommodated separately from other aliens staying at the Centre, together with other vulnerable individuals. Family members are also accommodated together.
According to the order of the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Social Security and Labor, unaccompanied minors are only accommodated in the Reception and Integration agency. They have access to a social worker and, where appropriate, to a psychologist. They also have social education and assistance projects provided by non-profit organisations
An unaccompanied minor asylum seeker may be asked to leave the Reception and Integration Centre during the examination of an application for asylum in the following cases:
- The court has made a decision to detain him/her in the Foreigners' Registration Centre or other detention centre of the State Border Guard or to provide him with alternative detention measure;
- The Migration Department decide to accommodate a minor asylum seeker with his parents or other legal representatives who have entered the Republic of Lithuania.
Applicants with special reception needs and families with children can also be accommodated in Reception and Integration agency centres based on availability.
The responsible staff member decides on the accommodation of a foreign national within five working days from the date the individual's vulnerability assessment, considering the availability of housing and the person’s specific needs, needed services, and support.
The principle of family unity must be upheld. Family members are accommodated together in the same room, with no more than one family per room. Families with children are housed together, if it is in the best interests of the child.
Accommodation is assigned based on the individual's special needs, following an assessment of their reception needs.
Foreign nationals are accommodated in accordance with their identified special reception needs, with particular attention to safety concerns. This includes cases involving victims of human trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence, torture, or other severe forms of psychological or physical abuse.
A foreign national may be relocated to another accommodation facility if unforeseen circumstances arise that affect the ability to ensure appropriate reception conditions.
Applicants for international protection shall benefit from material reception conditions when residing in the accommodation places assigned by the institutions of the Republic of Lithuania, including detention places as well as control points at the border and transit zones;
According to the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners housing, food, and clothing are provided to applicants for international protection in the Republic of Lithuania and/or the granting of social benefits for these purposes, including monetary allowances.
According to Order No. A1-2 of 3 January 2025, titled: "On the Implementation of the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on the Legal Status of Foreigners.": Foreigners accommodated in a temporary accommodation facility have the right to use household, hygiene, sanitary, and other services and equipment provided at the temporary accommodation facility.
| Type and purpose | In case of reception of applicants for international protection, the authority of the centre shall:
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| Duration and recurrence | Provision of reception conditions is foreseen till the final decision enters into force. The standards for personal hygiene products, household items, clothing, and other essential supplies are established in the Reception and Integration Agency’s Standard for Reception Conditions. For example, personal hygiene products are provided daily (e.g., diapers), monthly (e.g. shampoo), or every two months (e.g. toothpaste). Clothing and footwear are usually provided once or twice; household items are provided once. Stationery items are also provided for the school year. |
| Type and purpose | In accordance with the procedure established by the Minister of Social Security and Labour and the Minister of the Interior, applicants get a monthly cash benefit which can be spent for: utilities, food, clothing, hygiene and other necessities One-off financial allowance for refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection is provided for settling (for the purchase of essential furniture and household goods, for the cost of travel and/or baggage to the place of residence) plus monthly allowance. |
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| Duration and recurrence | Allowances for applicants for international protection are provided monthly for the entire duration of the asylum procedure |
| Calculation and amount | Monthly financial allowance is granted to asylum seeker in the amount of 10% of the state-subsidised income, which is currently set as EUR 221. Therefore, the allowance consists of EUR 22.10per month. In cases where catering services are not provided, asylum seekers are also entitled to receive a cash allowance amounting to 60 percent of the state-subsidised income (132.60 EUR). Asylum seekers—excluding those for whom a decision by the Migration Department on entry into the Republic of Lithuania is pending—who reside in temporary accommodation facilities, at a self-chosen place of residence, or are held in detention by the State Border Guard Service, shall receive a monthly cash allowance amounting to 10 percent of the state-subsidised income, in accordance with the procedure established by the Minister of Social Security and Labour. This allowance is paid from the date the application for the cash allowance is submitted. Asylum seekers who temporarily reside in a temporary accommodation facility or at a place of residence of their own choice are entitled, in accordance with the procedure established by the Minister of Social Security and Labour, to receive a cash allowance for food amounting to 60 percent of the state-subsidised income, in cases where catering services are not available. |
| Applicants granted allowance |
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| Modalities of provision | The cash allowance for asylum seekers is granted by a decision of the Agency Director or an authorized representative within 3 working days from the date the application for the allowance is submitted. The allowance is paid starting from the date the decision is made. Allowances are paid in cash due to applicable regulations and circumstances, as foreigners often do not have access to bank cards. |
Unaccompanied minors have access to a social worker and, where appropriate, to a psychologist. They also have social education, emotional support and assistance projects provided by non-profit organisations.
Victims of human trafficking, torture or other forms of violence shall be accommodated separately from other aliens staying at the Centre, together with other vulnerable individuals. Family members are also accommodated together.
- Victims staying in the centre shall be provided with essential furniture, bedding and, if necessary, clothing, footwear and personal hygiene products, They are also allowed to keep their personal belongings.
- Receive necessary medical care in accordance with the procedure established by the Minister of Health
- Use general social services in accordance with the procedure established by the Law on Social Services.
- Use the services of a social worker and psychologist provided by the Centre.
- Participate in assistance projects for victims of trafficking organised and implemented in the Republic of Lithuania.
Applicants with disabilities and special health needs: Persons with medical or psychological problems are provided with free necessary medical and psychological assistance. The family doctor and psychologist at FRC works 5 days a week.
Applicants with disabilities are housed in rooms arranged to meet their specific needs.
| Modalities of information provision on benefits and obligations related to reception conditions | The responsible staff member of the Agency shall, no later than within 10 days from the date of the foreigner’s accommodation, provide the foreigner with written and/or oral information in a language the foreigner understands. This information shall include their rights and obligations as established by the laws of the Republic of Lithuania, available healthcare services, cash allowances and benefits, services provided at the temporary accommodation facility, as well as institutions, agencies, organizations, and volunteers that offer legal and other assistance to foreigners (including the institution’s address, telephone number, and website). This information is also continuously made available in the common areas of the temporary accommodation facility. A foreigner accommodated in a temporary accommodation facility must be informed, without delay and no later than within one working day of the Agency's internal rules approved by the Director. The rules must be presented in writing, and a copy in a language the foreigner understands must be handed over and signed for. Information sessions for foreigners are conducted in the Centre’s common areas or in public places throughout the stay in the centre. |
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| Provision of legal assistance on the reception conditions available | Amendments to legal acts and regulations are currently in progress. It is necessary to amend the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners to specify that asylum seekers are entitled to state-guaranteed legal aid in cases related to the provision, withdrawal, or restriction of material reception conditions. |
| House rules | The internal rules have been approved by an order of the Director of the Agency. Applicants accommodated in the Agency’s temporary accommodation facilities are prohibited from:
Agency’s Internal rules can be found here. |
| Assignment of a particular area of residence to applicants | Movement may be restricted where an applicant:
If there are no circumstances related to the age, state of health, marital status of the asylum seeker, other individual circumstances or if Migration Department determines that there are circumstances due to which his application shall not be examined or is examined in an urgent manner. The Migration Department shall adopt a decision to temporarily accommodate an asylum applicant who has submitted an application for asylum at a border control point, at a transit zone, or shortly after the illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Lithuania without granting them the right to move freely within the territory of the Republic of Lithuania, until a decision is taken to admit them into the Republic of Lithuania. This restriction on the right to move freely within the territory of the Republic of Lithuania may not last longer than 28 days from the date of the registration of the asylum applicant in the Lithuanian Migration Information System. If a state of emergency has been declared, this restriction on the right to free movement within the territory of the Republic of Lithuania may not be applied for longer than 5 months, and for an unaccompanied minor asylum seeker, when there are reasonable doubts about the age indicated by the foreigner, until his or her age is determined, but no longer than 28 days from the date of registration of the asylum seeker in the Lithuanian Migration Information System. |
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| Reporting obligations | An applicant cannot leave the Republic of Lithuania during the examination of the asylum application without permission of the Migration Department. Moreover, any change of residence have to be communicated to the Migration Department within 3 business day. |
| Time limit to access the labour market | 6 months after lodging an asylum application if a decision has not yet been granted. The right to work as an asylum applicant expires when a final (negative) decision on an asylum application enters into force. If the person appeals the decision, he still has a right to work till final decision of the court. If a state of emergency has been declared, the right to work or engage in self-employment 12 months after the alien's registration in the Lithuanian Migration Information System, if it was not acquired in the case specified in Article 71, Part 1, Point 10 of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners. |
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| Criteria to access the labour market | The asylum applicant must hold a foreigner’s registration certificate attesting the right to work, which is presented to the employer. The certificate is issued by the Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior. There are no costs for the asylum applicant. In accordance with the Law on Employment, an employer must verify that third country national has a residence permit or other document granting a right to stay or reside in Lithuania and a work permit (provided that the third country national is not exempted from the obligation to obtain a work permit in Lithuania). The employer must keep copies of these documents throughout the employment period. |
| Employment support for applicants | Applicants who have the right to enter the labour market has the possibility to benefit from information, counselling and employment mediation services provided by the Employment Service, as well as to participate in the qualification acquisition or improvement and labor market integration support programs run by international organisations and NGOs which help to prepare to enter the labor market. For example, AMIF projects implemented by the Lithuanian Red Cross Society and the Reception and Integration agency give asylum applicants the possibility to receive mentoring services (assessment of personal capacities and needs, assistance in career planning, business plan, escort services, assistance in establishing work or business contacts, assistance at the workplace, business environment, career counselling); expert services (business plan drafting, individual business and career planning counselling); translation and interpretation services (translator’s and interpreter’s services in communication with a mentor, in job interviews, at the workplace, etc.); reimbursement of costs of childcare or employment activities (reimbursement of babysitting or kindergarten costs for parents while undergoing vocational training, preparing to take up employment, engaging in self-employment activities or setting up a business). |
| Adults’ access to vocational training | The AMIF projects implemented by the Lithuanian Red Cross Society give asylum applicants the possibility to receive among others, vocational training and courses to acquire or to improve qualifications and existing competences needed in the modern labour market |
| Access to tertiary education | There are no specific legal provisions explicitly addressing the right to higher education for asylum seekers. The same rules apply to asylum seekers as to Lithuanian nationals regarding access to higher education. |
| Medical screening | Third country nationals who wish to apply for asylum shall be moved to a common dwelling after a medical examination, having established that they are not suffering from a serious or particularly serious infectious disease. Medical examination is performed by doctors working in the centre. Persons arriving from territories infected by extremely dangerous diseases may be placed in quarantine in accordance with the procedure established by the Ministry of Health. |
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| Level of healthcare | Residents of the Centre shall be provided with primary health care services and essential medical care, including the possibility of vaccination, in accordance with the national programme. Health care services shall be provided by a family physician and a general practitioner according to the established competence, and other personnel according to the personal health care needs of the persons living in the centre. Asylum applicants receive medical assistance and psychological assistance free of charge. The costs of primary and personal health care services provided in public health care institutions are covered by the state budget. |
| Access to healthcare | For those accommodated in reception centres, the Agency provides and/or organizes essential medical care and necessary health services. The healthcare of foreign nationals is carried out in accordance with the legal acts of the Republic of Lithuania regulating personal healthcare. |
Foreign children have the right to attend general education and to attend pre-school, taking into account the minor's age, age and maturity. Minor asylum seekers have the right to access pre-school, pre-primary, general education, or formal vocational training programmes. The right to access pre-primary and general education programmes has to be ensured without delay and no later than within three months from the date of submission of the application for asylum.
Minors, who were granted refugee status, are provided with the following educational services:
- Within the first month (or by September 1st for those arriving during the summer period), their previously acquired learning achievements are assessed and compared to the learning outcomes specified in the primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary education curricula of the Republic of Lithuania. The assessment of learning achievements is carried out by the receiving school;
- Children are integrated into age-appropriate classes, provided with educational support, and receive intensive Lithuanian language instruction (including additional Lithuanian language lessons or specific classes).
Juvenile asylum seekers accommodated at the Immigration Registration Centre have the right to attend a general education school in accordance with the procedure established by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport. Children living in the Refugee Reception Centre have a right to attend general education schools and institutions of pre-school education.
According to the paragraphs 5.3.5 and 5.3.6 of the Implementation of Education of Children of the Aliens Entering the Republic of Lithuania for Employment or Residence at Schools of General Education, depending on the specific conditions, the pupil's readiness and language skills, the school may develop an individual education plan and a timetable of lessons. At the same time, the school provides conditions for the children of foreigners who do not know the Lithuanian language to study it intensively.
| Access to socio-cultural orientation | The Reception and Integration Agency, whose objective is to ensure the dignified reception of individuals arriving in Lithuania and seeking international protection, as well as to support those granted asylum in their integration process, has initiated the development of a training course on socio-cultural awareness. This manual will be implemented at the municipal level through integration coordinators. Furthermore, the Agency is in the process of updating the socio-cultural orientation course for asylum seekers accommodated in the Reception Centres. |
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| Language classes | Language classes are offered by various actors (Vilnius Archdiocese Caritas, the Lithuanian Red Cross Society, Reception and Integration agency) through the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). |
Asylum seekers who are not in detention or who are not subject to restricted movement in the territory of the Republic of Lithuania may be accommodated in private accommodations without restrictions on freedom of movement, by decision of the Migration Department.
If the asylum seeker, who is accommodated in temporary accommodation has not declared to have an income, he/she must refund the costs of material reception, housing and financial allowances from the income generated within five days from the receipt of the written notice sent by the relevant authority.
There is no sufficient means test in place in Lithuania.
Although in the Description of the Conditions and Procedure for the Accommodation of Foreigners in Temporary Accommodation Facilities, approved by Order No. A1-2 of 3 January 2025 of the Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania, titled "On the Implementation of the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on the Legal Status of Foreigners" states that upon arrival at the temporary accommodation facility, the foreigner must complete and sign a declaration of income and assets, this requirement is difficult to monitor, as the Agency cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided.
Even though there is a provision stating that if it becomes evident that a foreigner who received free assistance could have covered the related expenses using their own financial means, or if their financial situation has improved, or if they provided misleading information or failed to declare their income and assets, the foreigner is required to reimburse the Agency for the costs incurred, its implementation in practice is most likely impossible. This provision is intended to prevent the misuse of the rights granted.
Decisions to reduce or withdraw material reception conditions are made on an individual basis. Grounds for the reduction or withdrawal of material reception conditions, e.g., the person left the designated geographical area in which they are permitted to move freely without authorization, or is in hiding; the person seriously or repeatedly violated accommodation rules, or behaved in a cruel, threatening, or violent manner at the accommodation facility; the person fails to cooperate with competent authorities and does not comply with the procedural requirements established by them.
According to the Order No. A1-2 of 3 January 2025, titled: "On the Implementation of the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on the Legal Status of Foreigners." Material reception conditions may be reduced If a foreign national:
- does not cooperate with the staff of competent institutions,
- fails to comply with established requirements or obligations set out in the Procedure,
- commits a serious violation as defined by the internal rules of the State Border Guard Service,
- behaves aggressively or poses a threat to others,
Where the procedure laid down in the centre is not observed, a record of the infringement of the rules is drafted by the staff of the centre.
The offender, in the presence of a staff member, shall be informed in writing of the minutes of the violation of the internal rules and shall provide an explanation immediately;
The Director of the Agency shall then take a decision on the application of disciplinary measures. The Director of the Agency shall give his/her reasons for decision individually, objectively and impartially. The decision shall take into account the specific situation of the offender, in particular in case vulnerable persons, taking into account the principle of proportionality;
The decision on the application of disciplinary measures shall be formalised by order of the Director of the Agency and immediately be brought the foreigner by a written notice.
All disciplinary measures shall be recorded in a register.
According to the Order No. A1-2 of 3 January 2025, titled: "On the Implementation of the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on the Legal Status of Foreigners" the following disciplinary measures may be applied:
Restrictions on freedom of movement:
- Prohibition to leave the Agency's premises for up to 72 hours, if the asylum seeker’s freedom of movement has not been restricted.
- Temporary restriction on leaving the accommodation premises for up to 8 hours per day, for a period not exceeding 1 month (except for employed asylum seekers).
Restrictions on services:
Limited access to:
- library services,
- mass media (TV, radio, internet),
- use of the gym and its equipment, as well as outdoor sports facilities,
- participation in cultural events organized by the Agency.
Depending on the infringement or behavior, the applicant may experience:
- the possibility of freedom of movement from the centre restricted for a maximum of 48 hours;
- isolation from other persons in the centre for not more than 24 hours for repeated non-compliance or malicious violation of internal rules
- isolation from other persons in the centre for a maximum period of 48 hours and, if necessary, persons may be sent to appropriate facilities in case of danger to themselves or others due to mental, infectious or alcohol, narcotic, psychotropic substances.
- reduction or withdrawal of cash benefits for asylum seekers;
- a reduction of up to 50 percent in the amount of the food allowance and minor expenses for a period of up to 3 months.
- addition appointment to be responsible for premises in common areas (etc. for cleaning)
The withdrawn of the reception provision is foreseen in case:
- a decision to discontinue the examination of an asylum application at the request of the asylum seeker
- an applicant agrees to return voluntarily to a foreign country
- of a final decision on refusal of asylum
- a request for transfer of a person has been received by law enforcement authorities
In case a return decision is issued, an applicant is considered as illegal immigrant and he/she is accommodated as illegal immigrants at the same Foreigners’ Registration Centre.
The alien may appeal against the decision imposing disciplinary measures to the body implementing the rights and obligations of the State border guard service.
According to Order No. A1-2 of 3 January 2025, titled " "On the Implementation of the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on the Legal Status of Foreigners", the Director of the Agency is responsible for making decisions on disciplinary measures. These decisions must consider all individual circumstances, adhere to Lithuania’s principles of public administration, and respect the dignity of the foreign national. In cases involving minors, the child’s best interests must also be considered. Each decision must include a clear explanation of the reasoning behind it, outline the appeal procedure, and be communicated to the foreign national within one working day. The Director also has the authority to amend or revoke the decision if the underlying circumstances change or other objective reasons arise.