A study by the Lithuanian Equal Rights Ombudsman shows that foreigners in Lithuania face obstacles when they want to rent housing; a public media experiment suggests that the situation depends on several factors.
A study conducted by the Ombudsman last year found that foreigners who want to rent housing face refusals without explanation, their information is ignored, disproportionate prices are demanded and pressure is exerted to rent without a formal contract. In some cases, owners clearly state that they will not rent the property to foreigners.
Eva Laugalytė, a senior advisor at the Ombudsman’s Office, said that problems arise at all stages – from searching for an apartment to agreeing on the terms of the contract, and even after moving into the home. The results of the study are also reflected in an experiment conducted by the public media outlet LRT and in conversations with real estate professionals who work with foreign clients – although discrimination is not widespread, foreigners’ access to housing is affected by both informal barriers and unwritten rules.
An LRT journalist, posing as a foreigner, contacted Vilnius landlords. Five phone conversations took place in English or Russian, and the journalist introduced herself as a citizen of the Czech Republic, Russia, Ukraine or Belarus. The answers were varied. Speaking in English and introducing herself as a Czech, the property landlord immediately offered several possible meeting times and confirmed that an official contract would be signed.
Speaking in Russian and introducing herself as a Russian citizen, a positive response was also received.
The owner asked about the length of stay, the number of residents and confirmed that the apartment would be rented for at least a year, with an official contract.
The owner immediately suggested to the “Ukrainian citizen” to arrange an inspection of the apartment, indicated that a rental agreement would be concluded, and it would be possible to declare the place of residence. A similar reaction was received when introducing herself as a Belarusian citizen. The owner indicated that nationality does not matter as long as the potential tenant legally resides and works in Lithuania.
The only conversation with political undertones took place during a call, during which the journalist spoke in English and said that she was a Russian citizen. In this case, after the usual questions, the owner asked who owns Crimea. After the answer that Crimea is part of Ukraine, the owner’s tone softened, and he said that in that case the conversation could continue.
In August 2025, more than 200,000 foreigners lived in Lithuania, the majority of whom, 75,900, were Ukrainians. Belarusians, Russians, Indians, Kyrgyz, Azerbaijanis and Kazakhs also settled in Lithuania.
Ukrainian Alona Loboda, who has lived in Vilnius for several years, where she helps foreigners find rental housing, said that
direct discrimination is rare, but certain barriers exist.
She told LRT that speaking Russian in itself does not cause major problems, and no apartment owner has immediately ended the conversation because of this. Usually, owners ask if they can switch to Lithuanian or English, but sometimes the conversation takes place in Russian. Loboda added that about a fifth of owners refuse to rent out their homes to foreigners. Usually, this is presented with a polite phrase that they only want to rent out to Lithuanians. Only about a tenth indicate that they do not want to let representatives of a particular nationality into their property.
Loboda said that foreigners are usually subject to additional requirements, but this is more related to legal status than nationality, and 80% of landlords ask about a residence permit in Lithuania or other documents. If there is no legal basis for staying in Lithuania, the owners indicate that there are no guarantees and invite you to return when the documents are in order. A large number ask about employment, but only about 10% ask to show proof of income, such as an employment contract or bank statement.
The attitude of landlords has changed significantly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In 2022 and 2023, landlords were happy to accept Ukrainians, but now the attitude is more cautious, but the increase in refusals is more likely determined by accumulated experience, not just nationality.
Continuing the experiment, LRT tried its luck as potential tenants from Africa and South Asia. Speaking in Lithuanian,
the journalist called on behalf of an acquaintance, hoping to find housing for a black man from Cameroon and a citizen of India.
One landlord asked detailed questions, but did not refuse, only emphasizing the importance of cleanliness, the fact that one person is allowed to live in the apartment, and reliability – that is, how long the caller has known the potential tenant. The landlord said that sometimes a person says that he lives alone, but in fact five people have moved into the apartment.
Another landlord refused to rent an apartment, indicating that he does not speak English, and this will cause problems.
The most categorical refusal the journalist received was from a real estate agent, who said that the owners would not rent to Indians or other foreigners, and referred to an unpleasant experience that ended with the apartment being renovated. In addition, the owners are abroad and will not be able to regularly check the condition of the apartment.
The Ombudsman’s study revealed that black foreigners most often face discrimination in rental matters. Discrimination is not always hidden, and foreigners have reported direct refusals on the grounds that apartments are rented only to Lithuanians. A disproportionate deposit has also been required, and
some have complained about open insulting remarks about race or origin.
Due to different attitudes and prejudices, foreigners have to pay higher rent or accept housing without an official contract, which often prevents them from declaring their place of residence and, consequently, from using social services. Laugalite said that people choose a roof over their heads rather than fighting discrimination, and complaints are rarely received because people lack information, fear legal consequences, and do not believe they will receive help.
Laugalite stressed that individuals facing discrimination should be taken to the Ombudsman’s Office, and that broader state involvement is also needed.
Read the full article in English here: https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2820181/nationality-race-crimea-foreigners-face-barriers-in-lithuania-s-rental-market
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