Lithuanian A1 for work in Lithuania: what the 2026 rule requires
Updated: 2026-10-12
Since 1 January 2026 Lithuania requires foreigners who serve customers directly to speak Lithuanian. Here is a short summary of who is affected, followed by the words and phrases worth learning first.
What changed
- Who is affected. Foreign nationals who sell goods or provide services and deal with customers: shop assistants, cashiers and other service staff, including seasonal workers.
- Which level. First the basic category, equivalent to A1. After two years of residence in Lithuania, at least A2 (state language category I).
- If you have no certificate yet. You get six months to learn the language and pass the exam.
- Exemption. Ukrainians under temporary protection are exempt until 2027.
- Who runs the exam. The National Education Agency (Nacionalinė švietimo agentūra, NŠA). Basic-category exams are held monthly in schools.
The Seimas adopted the amendments to the Law on the State Language in October 2024. Source: LRT, 8 December 2025.
This is a summary, not legal advice. The rules are still being refined, and language requirements for residence permits are under discussion. Before booking an exam, check the official sites: NŠA for the schedule and registration, and the State Language Inspectorate for who needs which level.
Phrases you need when serving customers
| Lithuanian | English |
|---|---|
| Laba diena | Good afternoon / Hello |
| Labas rytas | Good morning |
| Labas vakaras | Good evening |
| Kuo galiu padėti? | How can I help? |
| Prašom | Please / You're welcome |
| Ačiū | Thank you |
| Atsiprašau | Excuse me / Sorry |
| Prašom palaukti | Please wait |
| Kiek kainuoja? | How much is it? |
| Grynaisiais ar kortele? | Cash or card? |
| Ar reikia maišelio? | Do you need a bag? |
| Čekis | Receipt |
| Kaina | Price |
| Nuolaida | Discount |
| Atidaryta / Uždaryta | Open / Closed |
| Nesuprantu | I don't understand |
| Geros dienos! | Have a nice day! |
| Viso gero | Goodbye |
Numbers 1 to 10
vienas, du, trys, keturi, penki, šeši, septyni, aštuoni, devyni, dešimt
How to prepare
- Start with vocabulary. At A1 almost everything rests on words: greetings, numbers, days of the week, food, shopping, professions.
- Learn each word with its stress and sound. Lithuanian stress is mobile and cannot be guessed from spelling, so it pays to memorise a word together with how it sounds.
- Study a little every day. Fifteen minutes daily beats two hours once a week.
- Book the exam early. The schedule and registration are on the NŠA site.
How LitCards helps
LitCards is a flashcard app for Lithuanian vocabulary. It has more than 2500 words with stress marks and audio, verb forms, dedicated topics for professions and for work and services, and A2-level vocabulary. Words are learned in three phases: introduction, reinforcement in the reverse direction, and a final review. The app works offline, with translations into English, Russian, Ukrainian and Uzbek.
LitCards is a vocabulary tool, not a full course. Grammar, listening and speaking for the exam need separate practice. For more starter vocabulary see the list of basic Lithuanian words.