Starting on the 1st of January, 2026, every foreigner who works directly with customers in Lithuania will have to know the Lithuanian language – this will also apply to couriers, taxi drivers, beauty specialists and sales staff.
The Seimas approved this requirement back in 2024, with the aim of achieving the integration of foreigners into Lithuanian society, however, it is unclear whether language courses will be available and how compliance with the requirements will be monitored. Supporters of the law have indicated that this will finally solve language problems in the service sector. A survey conducted by LRT shows that eight out of ten Lithuanians believe that service workers should be able to speak Lithuanian.
The requirement will apply to both workers from abroad and the companies that employ them. Lawmakers believe that this will help immigrants integrate better into society and encourage them to learn the state language at least at a conversational level. It will also ensure the right of Lithuanians to receive services in their own language.
Many companies reported that employees are already learning the language and taking courses. Mindaugas Liutvinskas, head of public relations at food delivery service Wolt, pointed out that couriers are independent partners and take responsibility for ensuring that their language skills meet the required level. He added that
the company is trying to inform couriers about available resources and courses to make it easier for them
to comply with the requirements and integrate into society.
The ride-sharing platform Bolt is also addressing the language issue by working with partners and offering courses to drivers. The first participants have already started learning the language.
The Lithuanian Ministry of Education, Science and Sports has urged the government to issue a decree stipulating that for the first two years after obtaining a residence permit, a person must know the state language at the basic level (A1). After two years, in order to continue working with clients, they will already need to know the language at the A2 level.
Currently, in Lithuania, knowledge of the language at the A2 level is required for services, trade, transport and other areas where direct contact with clients is required. B1 level knowledge is required for cultural workers, healthcare and social service personnel, and other employees who work in the public sector and communicate with clients or the public on a daily basis. The third category – B2 – applies to areas where a high level of communication is required.
Persons with temporary protection status, such as refugees from the Ukrainian war, are exempt from the requirements.
Some entrepreneurs have warned that the requirements may be too harsh for lower-level employees. Evalda Šiškauskienė, head of the Lithuanian Hotel and Restaurant Association, said that while the industry supports learning Lithuanian, the lack of clarity about language proficiency levels is causing confusion. She noted that many service workers have already started learning the language, and it is very clear who plans to stay in Lithuania and who plans to go to another European country.
Language experts emphasize that vocabulary depends on the workplace. Eglė Gudavičienė, a lecturer at the Faculty of Philology at Vilnius University, said that couriers and taxi drivers, for example, need the simplest basic skills – how to greet each other, confirm delivery and ask simple questions. This can be learned in a short time.
Gudavičienė estimated that 100 to 120 hours would be enough to master the A1 level. She added that opportunities to learn Lithuanian have become more widespread, but availability is uneven.
Read thje whole article in English here: https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2699295/lithuania-to-require-foreign-service-workers-to-speak-lithuanian-starting-in-2026
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