As of September 1, 2024, Lithuania has implemented a new policy requiring Ukrainians without temporary protection to obtain a residence permit in order to work in the country. Previously, certain exemptions allowed foreign nationals, including Ukrainians who were unable to return to their country and were ineligible for temporary protection, to work without a permit. These exemptions, except for highly skilled workers, have now been mostly revoked.
Under the new regulations, foreign nationals who are not eligible for temporary protection but cannot return to Ukraine due to the ongoing war must now wait until they receive a residence permit before they can begin working. This marks a shift from the previous policy, where work could commence upon application for a residence permit.
Ukrainian refugees benefiting from the EU’s temporary protection mechanism are not affected by these changes. They continue to be able to work immediately upon submitting their application for a temporary residence permit.
As of August 2024, Lithuania has registered 76,300 Ukrainians, with 44,300 granted temporary protection. Since the start of Russia’s invasion in February 2022, nearly 30,000 Ukrainians have found employment in Lithuania. An International Organization for Migration (IOM) survey indicates that 70% of Ukrainian refugees in Lithuania are active in the labor force.