The Lithuanian parliament (Seimas) has started reviewing amendments to the Employment Act that would establish a clear quarterly schedule for paying arrival bonuses to workers who relocate to Lithuania from abroad β and to the employers who recruited them. The proposal was presented by Deputy Minister of Economy and Innovation Guoda BurokienΔ. In the first reading, 62 MPs voted in favour, none against, and 12 abstained. The project reference is XVP-1343.
- What changes: arrival bonus payments move to a quarterly cycle
- Who it affects: foreign workers relocating to Lithuania and employers who recruited them
- When to apply: during months 1 and 2 of each quarter
- When payments are made: by end of each quarter
- Current status: under review in Seimas; lead committee β Social Affairs and Labour
What Is Being Changed?
Arrival bonuses for foreign workers and their employers already exist under Lithuanian law, but there is currently no clear procedure for situations where the allocated budget for a given period runs short. The proposed amendments to the Employment Act introduce a quarterly application and payment cycle, plus explicit priority rules for when funds are insufficient.
Employers planning customer-facing roles for foreign staff should also review our Lithuanian language requirement guide for 2026, which explains when A1 is enough, when A2 starts, and who is exempt.
Employers planning customer-facing roles for foreign staff should also review our Lithuanian language requirement guide for 2026, which explains when A1 is enough, when A2 starts, and who is exempt.
How the New System Would Work
- Application window: applications for arrival bonuses must be submitted during the first and second month of each quarter.
- Payment: approved bonuses are paid out by the end of that quarter.
- When funds run short: if the quarterly budget is not enough to pay everyone, priority goes to applicants whose 2-year application deadline expires soonest. The remaining payments are deferred to the next quarter.
Who Receives These Bonuses?
The bonuses cover two groups:
- Foreign workers β a financial arrival bonus to support relocation to Lithuania for work.
- Employers β a bonus for employers who successfully recruited a worker from abroad.
The amounts of the bonuses themselves are not being changed β only the payment schedule and priority rules.
Next Steps
The Social Affairs and Labour Committee has been designated as the lead committee. A second reading in the Seimas is expected soon. Until the law is passed and takes effect, the current rules remain in force.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the bonus amounts changing?
No. The amendments only change the payment process and priority rules. The bonus amounts stay the same.
What happens if my application is deferred to the next quarter?
Under the new rules, deferred payments are automatically carried over β you do not need to reapply.
Is this already in effect?
No. The bill passed its first reading. Until the final vote and signature into law, the current rules apply.