This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Where to get help (new address for the Australian Embassy in Sweden which is responsible for Lithuania). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Target Summary

Target Safety and Security

Target Terrorism

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers .

Target Civil Unrest/Political Tension

You should avoid demonstrations and large public gatherings as they may turn violent.

Target Crime

We advise you exercise common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would in Australia. Petty crime, such as pick-pocketing and bag snatching does occur. Most instances of pick-pocketing occur on public transport and in bars and restaurants. Travellers should be aware of their personal belongings at all times and not leave their belongings unattended or unsecured. The risk of crime increases after dark, you should avoid walking alone at night.

Incidents of car theft and theft from vehicles are common, especially for new and or expensive cars. When driving you should keep you car locked, windows up and valuables out of sight. You should use guarded car parks were possible.

Do not accept food or drink from strangers. There have been reports of travellers being drugged and robbed.

Victims of crime should file a police report at the nearest police station. The Lithuanian police can provide translators to assist foreigners who are victims of crime.

The emergency assistance phone number within Lithuania (police, fire and ambulance) is 112.

Target Local Travel

Hazards on country roads include horse drawn carts, bicycles and cars without tail lights or reflectors. This driving risks increase at night. Driving in winter can be dangerous due to snow and icy conditions as roads are not always ploughed. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety .

Winter tires are required on vehicles from 10 November until 1 April. Drivers are required to use headlights (low beam) at all times when driving. It is a legal requirement that drivers carry car insurance valid for Lithuania.

Visitors to the Curonian Spit (UNESCO World Heritage Site) should be aware the spit is divided between Lithuania and the Russian Federation. Visitors to the southern portion of the spit, which is in Russia, require a visa.

Target Airline Safety

For information please refer to our Aviation Safety and Security travel bulletin .

Target Wildlife

Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

Target Money and Valuables

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas.

Credit card fraud occurs in Lithuania, particularly in places frequented by tourists. When making purchases keep your credit card in view and under no circumstances sign blank credit card slips.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority .

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

Target For Parents

For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling Parents brochure .

Target Local Laws

When you are in Lithuania, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter .

Penalties for all drug offences, even possession of small amounts, include heavy fines and/or imprisonment.

The penalties for drink driving are severe and include heavy fines, possible imprisonment and cancellation of drivers licence.

Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.

Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.

Target Information for Dual Nationals

Lithuania recognises dual nationality in limited circumstances. This may limit the ability of the Australian Government to provide consular assistance to Australian/Lithuanian dual nationals who are arrested or detained. If in doubt, contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Estonia for information on your dual nationality status. We recommend you travel on your Australian passport at all times.

Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.

Target Entry and Exit Requirements

Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Estonia for the most up to date information.

Lithuania is a party to the Schengen Convention, along with 24 other European countries, which allows Australians to enter Lithuania without a visa in some circumstances. See our travel bulletin on the Schengen Convention for more information.

The export or religious materials and antiques is subject to strict controls. Local authorities can confirm prior to purchase if export of such items is permitted.

People travelling directly to or from a country outside the European Union (EU) carrying 10,000 euros or more (or the equivalent amount in another currency) are required to declare the cash at the place of their arrival or departure from the EU. Under the legislation, the term "cash" includes cheques, travellers' cheques and money orders. Travellers failing to declare the cash or providing incomplete or incorrect information will incur a fine. There is no requirement to declare cash for people travelling to or from another EU country.

Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.

Target Health Issues

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website . For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 .

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. For non-European Union citizens, health insurance that guarantees coverage of any health-related expense during your stay is also recommended. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.

Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.

Medical professionals in Lithuania are highly trained and some may speak English. Public medical facilities in Lithuania have improved but do not yet meet Western standards. Some private medical facilities are well equipped. Dental care is comparable to Australia in most major cities and medical supplies are generally available in major cities. Visitors should bring plentiful supply of prescriptions for known health problems when travelling in regional areas.

Doctors and hospitals require up-front payment before commencing treatment. In the event of a serious accident or illness, medical evacuation to a destination with appropriate facilities may be necessary. The cost of medical evacuation could be considerable.

Travel in forested areas brings the risk of exposure to tick-borne encephalitis and other tick-borne diseases. Ticks are common from spring to autumn.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website . For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza .

Target Where to Get Help

Australian has a Consulate in Lithuania headed by an Honorary Consul. The Consulate provides limited consular assistance but does include the issue of Australian passports. You can obtain full consular assistance from the nearest Australian Embassy/High Commission which is in Sweden.

Australian Embassy
Klarabergsviadukten 63, 8th Floor
111 64 Stockholm, SWEDEN
Telephone (46 8) 613 2900
Facsimile (46 8) 613 2982
Email: reception@austemb.se
Website: www.sweden.embassy.gov.au

Contact details for the Consulate are:

Mr Tony Meschino
Honorary Consul
Vilniaus St 23
LT-01119, Vilnius, Lithuania
Telephone: +370 5 212 3369
Facsimile: +370 5 212 3369
E-mail: australian@consulate.lt

If you are travelling to Lithuania, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate . The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.

In a consular emergency, if you are unable to contact the Embassy you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.

In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.