Company formation for non-residents
We set up the UAB - a private limited company - and the MB, a small partnership with no share capital, giving you access to the EU single market for trade, services, IT, e-commerce and fintech. We prepare the incorporation documents, arrange a registered office, handle tax registration with the VMI and support your business account opening. The whole process is remote, by power of attorney, with no need to travel to Lithuania.
A quick overview of the corporate, tax and annual requirements of the Lithuanian jurisdiction for non-residents.
We register two entity types. The UAB is a private limited company (equivalent to a Ltd) with €1,000 share capital, suited to fintech, investors and corporate structures. The MB is a small partnership with no share capital, ideal for solo founders and small teams (up to 10 members, individuals only). Both offer limited liability and are registered with the Centre of Registers (Registrų centras).
No restrictions on the nationality or residency of founders. A UAB can be wholly owned by a foreign individual or a foreign company, and no local partner is required. Regulated activities (payment and e-money licences) are subject to additional requirements.
At least one director and one shareholder, which can be the same person. No resident director is required. Beneficial owners must be registered in the JANGIS register, and a registered office in Lithuania is mandatory. A UAB director is employed under contract with Sodra social contributions.
From 2026 the corporate income tax rate is 17%. Small companies (up to 10 employees and turnover below €300,000) qualify for a reduced 7% rate, and newly established small companies pay 0% for the first two years. VAT is 21%, with registration mandatory once turnover reaches €45,000.
The UAB share capital is €1,000. At least 25% (€250) is paid before registration, with the balance due within 12 months. The capital stays with the company and can be used for operating costs - it is not a government fee.
Annual financial statements are filed with the Centre of Registers (Registrų centras) and a corporate income tax return with the VMI. An audit is only mandatory when two of three thresholds are exceeded: turnover above €3.5m, assets above €1.8m, or more than 50 employees. Most new non-resident companies fall below these thresholds.
The final cost depends on the chosen package, industry, capital amount and any additional project tasks.
Information current as of July 2026.
From basic registration to a complete launch with corporate support and business account opening.
Company registration and address
Full registration support
With banking support
For launching a company with a prepared banking route and support through to account opening.
Important: banking support does not guarantee account opening. The final decision rests with the bank or EMI after reviewing the company and beneficiary profile.
Lithuania suits projects that need a full EU company with access to the single market, fintech infrastructure and SEPA, under 100% foreign ownership and fully remote registration.
A company for import, export and cross-border trade within the EU. A Lithuanian entity operates in the eurozone and gives you direct euro settlements, a VAT number and access to the OSS scheme for cross-border trade.
An entity for consulting, agency and professional services. Full foreign ownership, no resident director and a transparent EU legal system. For small teams, the MB form with no share capital is a good fit.
Software, SaaS and digital products. Lithuania is one of the strongest IT hubs in the EU, with a triple R&D deduction that meaningfully lowers the tax burden for technology companies.
Sales through your own stores and EU marketplaces. A Lithuanian company gives you access to SEPA, European acquiring, payment providers and the VAT OSS scheme for B2C sales across the EU from a single point.
Lithuania is a member of the EU, the eurozone, the Schengen area and the OECD. Your company operates within the same legal and financial infrastructure as any other EU business, with full access to the single market.
More than 55 double tax treaties that reduce withholding tax on cross-border transactions, alongside the EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive.
Registration with no visit to Lithuania - by power of attorney, including the notarial procedure and tax registration. The UAB share capital starts at €1,000, and the MB form needs no capital at all.
The Bank of Lithuania is one of the most accessible EU regulators for payment and e-money licences. That makes Lithuania a convenient entry point for fintech projects and working with EMI providers.
To register a UAB you will need participant documents, at least one shareholder and one director, articles of association and a unique company name ending in UAB. Beneficial owners are entered in the JANGIS register, and a registered office in Lithuania is required. Most of the groundwork is handled remotely, by power of attorney.
The exact set of documents depends on the ownership structure. Registration is carried out under a notarised power of attorney with apostille or legalisation - there is no need to travel to Lithuania in person.
No restrictions on the nationality or residency of founders. A UAB can be wholly owned by a foreign individual or company, and no local partner is required. Regulated activities (payment and e-money licences) are subject to additional requirements.
At least one shareholder and one director, which can be the same person. No resident director is required. Shareholders may be individuals or legal entities. A UAB director is employed under contract with Sodra social contributions, and beneficial owners are entered in the JANGIS register.
The UAB share capital is €1,000. At least 25% (€250) is paid before registration, with the balance contributed within 12 months. The capital stays with the company and is used for operating costs. The MB form is registered with no share capital.
A registered office in Lithuania where official correspondence from state authorities is delivered. The address is filed with the Centre of Registers (Registrų centras) and appears in the public register, so a service provider's address is commonly used. A registered office is included in our packages.
The company keeps accounts and files annual financial statements with the Centre of Registers (Registrų centras) and a corporate income tax return with the VMI. An audit is only mandatory when two of three thresholds are exceeded: turnover above €3.5m, assets above €1.8m, or more than 50 employees. Most new non-resident companies fall below these thresholds.
Lithuania taxes the worldwide profits of resident companies. The overall burden depends on the level of profit, the reliefs available and timely filing with the Centre of Registers and the VMI.
17% / 7%
The standard rate from 2026 is 17%. Small companies (up to 10 employees, turnover below 300,000 euro) qualify for a reduced 7%, and newly established small companies pay 0% for the first two years.
Worldwide
A resident company is taxed on its worldwide profit. A non-resident company is taxed only on Lithuanian-source income.
by 15 June
The corporate income tax return is filed by the 15th day of the sixth month after the financial year-end (15 June for calendar-year companies). Tax is paid by the same deadline.
0-17%
Dividends to non-residents are taxed at 17%, but are exempt from withholding tax on a holding of at least 10% held for a minimum of 12 months under the EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive.
The standard corporate income tax rate is 17%. Small companies with turnover below 300,000 euro and up to 10 employees pay 7%, while newly established small companies pay 0% for their first two tax periods.
A company registered in Lithuania is a tax resident and is taxed on its worldwide profit. A non-resident company is taxed only on Lithuanian-source income.
The standard VAT rate is 21%. Registration is mandatory once turnover exceeds 45,000 euro over 12 months, and voluntary registration is available earlier. For non-residents carrying out taxable activities in Lithuania, no threshold applies.
Dividends to non-residents are taxed at 17%, with exemptions under the EU directive and double tax treaties. Royalties are 10%, and interest paid to companies in the EEA or treaty countries is 0%.
Keep accounts and prepare annual financial statements under Lithuanian standards (BAS)
File annual financial statements with the Centre of Registers within 4 months and 30 days after the financial year-end
File the corporate income tax return with the VMI by 15 June of the following year (for calendar-year companies)
Pay corporate income tax by the same deadline and make advance payments during the year
Register the company with the VMI within 15 days of incorporation and keep beneficial owner data up to date in JANGIS
Register for VAT once turnover exceeds 45,000 euro and file returns (monthly or quarterly)
Undergo an audit only when the thresholds are exceeded - most new companies are exempt
An audit is only mandatory when two of three thresholds are exceeded: turnover above 3.5m euro, assets above 1.8m euro, or more than 50 employees. Payments of dividends, interest and royalties to non-residents are subject to withholding tax obligations, taking into account EU directives and tax treaties.
Information current as of July 2026.
The banking route depends on the company's activity, payment geography and beneficiary profile. For non-residents, the main path is Lithuanian and European EMI providers offering IBAN details and SEPA access, plus solutions for accepting payments and working with marketplaces.
For day-to-day operations and euro settlements with no visit to the country. We match a provider to the company profile, with options including Paysera, Revolut Business, Bilderlings and Wise.
For retail sales and working with platforms. Accept card and link payments, with Stripe and PayPal gateways for integration into your website and app.
We prepare the company profile before applying, so the bank's requirements are met in advance and the client passes KYC and AML checks.
We assess your activity, payment geography and bank requirements before you apply.
We support the project from the initial review through to receiving the corporate documents and completing any agreed additional tasks. We act as your corporate agent under Lithuanian requirements.
We review the ownership structure, participants, NACE activity codes and source documents, and check the beneficial owner and apostille requirements before starting.
We check and confirm the company name, prepare the incorporation documents, and handle the notarial procedure by power of attorney and the filing with the Centre of Registers through to the company registration code.
No resident director is required. We arrange a registered office in Lithuania, set up the director on contract with Sodra contributions, and enter the beneficial owners in the JANGIS register in line with the chosen package.
We register the company with the VMI and obtain a tax number, and where needed we assist with VAT registration and support with account opening.
The process covers an initial review, name approval, document preparation, the notarial procedure by power of attorney and filing with the Centre of Registers. Most of the stages are completed remotely.
Lithuania is not the answer to every task. For some projects another European jurisdiction or a classic offshore is a better fit, and we will help you choose the right one.
Lithuania's standard corporate tax rate from 2026 is 17%. If your business does not qualify for the small-company reliefs and you need a lower rate within the EU, it is worth comparing other European jurisdictions.
Worth considering: Hungary, Ireland, Cyprus
Lithuania is a reliable but less widely recognised jurisdiction than the Anglo-Saxon ones, and paperwork is often handled in Lithuanian. If global reputation, an English-language legal environment and common law matter to you, it is worth comparing other options.
Worth considering: United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus
A Lithuanian company gives access to the EU single market, but full relocation calls for a real presence, a local team and separate immigration programmes. If a residence permit and living in the country are the priority, it is worth comparing countries with well-developed residency programmes.
Worth considering: Portugal, Ireland, Cyprus
Lithuania has corporate tax, annual reporting, a mandatory director on contract with Sodra contributions and an open beneficial owner register. For passive and holding structures where zero burden and minimal upkeep matter most, classic offshores are simpler.
Worth considering: BVI, Belize, Seychelles
Not sure whether Lithuania fits your project? In a consultation we will honestly assess the task and suggest the best jurisdiction, even if it turns out not to be Lithuania.
If Lithuania is not a full fit in terms of structure, tax burden or running costs, compare the alternatives on the key parameters.
| Jurisdiction | Best for | Taxes | Upkeep | Banks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Hungary | Best for IT, trade, holdings and low-tax business within the EU. | Taxes 9% rate, the lowest in the EU, 0% withholding tax. | Upkeep Moderate, digital reporting via the NAV tax authority, EU standards. | Banks EU banks and fintech, SEPA access. |
 Cyprus | Best for Holdings, IT, intellectual property and EU structures. | Taxes 12.5% rate, IP Box regime with an effective rate of around 2.5%. | Upkeep Annual audit mandatory for all companies. | Banks EU banks and fintech, strict compliance. |
 Portugal | Best for EU business, IT, services, relocation and residence. | Taxes 21% rate, 17% on the first EUR 50,000 for small companies. | Upkeep Moderate, audit only above thresholds. | Banks EU banks and fintech, SEPA access. |
 Ireland | Best for IT, SaaS, pharma and European headquarters. | Taxes 12.5% on trading income, one of the lowest in the EU. | Upkeep Moderate, audit only above thresholds. | Banks EU banks and fintech, strict compliance. |
We will help you compare jurisdictions on taxes, banking, annual running costs and structural requirements for your specific task.
Every project is different - we tailor the solution to the specific task, jurisdiction and business model.
Lithuania The client sold homeware through their own website and on marketplaces, outgrew a single country and hit a wall on payments. Their existing entity did not work for European platforms or acquiring, and payments from EU buyers came through with delays and fees.
Solution We set up a UAB, registered it for VAT for trade within the EU and enabled the VAT OSS scheme for retail sales across the Union. The account was opened with Paysera and acquiring set up through Stripe. Everything was handled by power of attorney, with no trip to Lithuania.
The main thing holding me back was having nowhere proper to take payments from European platforms. They sorted out the company and the account and walked me through how VAT works when selling into different EU countries. The first orders came through the new account the same month.
Lithuania The client supplied equipment, working with EU suppliers and buyers in Africa. They needed a European company for contracts, currency settlements and customs. On a personal account, large international payments were repeatedly held up for checks.
Solution We set up a UAB, arranged a registered office in Lithuania and registered it for VAT for EU operations. For euro and dollar settlements we opened an account with Bilderlings, offering SEPA and SWIFT, plus a backup account with Revolut Business. We helped put together the bank dossier for a foreign-trade profile.
I was worried about the payments to Africa - I thought the banks would flag every transaction. In practice, with a proper dossier and a clear company profile, we passed the checks without the hassle. Contracts with EU suppliers now run through a European entity, which put my partners at ease.
Lithuania The team was building a SaaS product and planning to enter the European market. An EU investor wanted to come in through a European entity with a clear share structure. They needed an EU company with access to payment providers and a corporate structure the investor could understand.
Solution We set up a UAB, split the shares between the three founders and left room for the investor's stake. We registered it with the VMI and opened an account with Revolut Business. We also flagged the triple R&D deduction that lowers tax for technology companies in Lithuania.
Our biggest worry was getting the equity split tangled before the round. They laid out the structure so the investor could follow it and left room for his stake. We came to the talks with a ready European company rather than promises. Happy to recommend them.
If you cannot find the answer to your question, leave a request and we will look into your situation personally.
Get a consultationWith a complete set of documents and the power of attorney in place, registering a UAB with the Centre of Registers usually takes 5 to 10 working days. Allowing for document preparation, the notarial procedure and tax registration with the VMI, the full cycle takes from 5 working days. Account opening is treated separately and is not part of the registration timeline, as it depends on the bank's or EMI's review.
Yes. Registration is carried out under a notarised power of attorney with apostille or legalisation, with no need to travel to Lithuania in person. A representative in Lithuania completes the notarial procedure and files the documents with the Centre of Registers on your behalf. Most of the groundwork - gathering documents, approving the name and arranging the address - is handled remotely.
The UAB is a private limited company with 1,000 euro of share capital. Both owners and the director can be individuals or legal entities, and there is no cap on the number of members. It is the standard choice for fintech, investors and corporate structures, and it is the only form that qualifies for regulated licences. The MB is a small partnership with no share capital, and its members can only be individuals (up to 10). The MB is simpler to run and cheaper to start, suiting solo founders and small teams, but it is not suitable for holding or investment structures.
The UAB share capital is 1,000 euro. At least 25% (250 euro) is paid before registration, with the balance contributed within 12 months. The capital stays with the company and is used for operating costs - it is not a government fee. If you would rather not contribute capital, there is the MB, a small partnership with no share capital, for solo founders and small teams.
From 2026 the standard corporate income tax rate is 17%. Small companies with turnover below 300,000 euro and up to 10 employees pay a reduced 7%, while newly established small companies pay 0% for the first two years. VAT is 21%, with registration mandatory once turnover reaches 45,000 euro. Dividends to non-residents are taxed at 17%, with an exemption for holdings of at least 10% under the EU directive.
No, the account does not have to be with a Lithuanian bank. For non-residents the main path is Lithuanian and European EMI providers offering IBAN details and SEPA access, with options including Paysera, Revolut Business, Bilderlings and Wise. We match a solution to the company profile and prepare the dossier for the bank's or provider's requirements, but the final decision on opening an account always rests with the bank or EMI.
The company files annual financial statements with the Centre of Registers within 4 months and 30 days after the financial year-end, and a corporate income tax return with the VMI by 15 June of the following year for calendar-year companies. An audit is only mandatory when two of three thresholds are exceeded: turnover above 3.5m euro, assets above 1.8m euro, or more than 50 employees. Most new non-resident companies fall below these thresholds.
In most sectors a non-resident can own a Lithuanian company without restrictions. Regulated activities - payment and e-money licences, financial services - are subject to additional regulator requirements, including a real presence in Lithuania. For complex and non-standard niches, we assess the terms individually before starting.
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