Currency & Payment

Lithuania uses the euro (EUR, €), divided into 100 cents. Lithuania adopted the euro in 2015, replacing the litas. Cards and contactless payments are very common, but it is still useful to carry a little cash for small shops, markets and rural areas.

As Lithuania uses the euro, travellers from the eurozone need no exchange at all. If you need euros, withdrawing from an ATM (bankomatas) usually gives reasonable rates. Exchange bureaus (valiutos keitykla) exist in cities and at the airport, but compare rates and fees before changing money.

Cards are accepted almost everywhere in Lithuania, and contactless is the standard way to pay. Visa and Mastercard are widely taken in shops, restaurants, hotels and transport. Small local shops, markets or rural spots may prefer cash, so keep a little on hand as a backup.

ATMs in Lithuania are called bankomatas and are easy to find in cities, at the airport and near shopping areas. Major banks include Swedbank, SEB and Luminor. Watch out for foreign-card fees, and always decline home-currency conversion (DCC) to get the better rate.

Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted in Lithuania and work almost everywhere contactless cards do. Simply add your card to your phone and tap to pay in shops, cafes and on public transport. Contactless cards plus a mobile wallet cover almost all situations for visitors.

Tipping is modest and not obligatory in Lithuania. In restaurants, leaving around 5-10% for good service is common and appreciated, and rounding up the bill is fine for casual places. There is no strong obligation to tip taxis, bars or cafes.

Lithuania is relatively affordable compared with Western Europe, and Vilnius offers good value for a capital city. You can save with supermarket food, weekday set lunches (pietūs), and by enjoying free old towns, parks and nature. Dining out and imported goods cost more but remain reasonable.

Non-EU residents can claim a VAT (PVM) refund on eligible purchases above a minimum amount. Lithuania's standard VAT rate is 21%. Ask the shop for a tax-free form when you buy, then get customs validation when you finally leave the EU. Conditions and minimum spend apply, and the refund is paid via the tax-free operator.