Learning enough Lithuanian to work safely

You can do many jobs in Lithuania without speaking Lithuanian. But on any worksite, a few words can keep you safe — and since 2026, some jobs require basic Lithuanian by law. This guide covers both.

The new rule for service and retail jobs

From 1 January 2026, foreign workers in service and retail jobs in Lithuania must have basic Lithuanian.

• The basic level is A1 — the most basic level there is. You understand everyday phrases, can introduce yourself, and can ask and answer simple personal questions.
• After two years of living in Lithuania, the required level rises to A2.

The exact deadlines depend on when you received your residence permit, so check your own position with your employer.

Language exams are organised by the National Education Agency, and the State Language Inspectorate checks that the rule is followed. When the rule started, authorities gave a grace period before fines, because many people needed time to take the exam.

What this means for you: if you are applying for a job in a hotel, restaurant, shop, spa or similar, expect the employer to ask about your Lithuanian. If you already have a certificate, mention it when you apply. If you do not, start learning now — A1 is reachable in a few months of regular practice.

For factory, warehouse and construction jobs, this rule does not usually apply. But the safety words below matter on every site.

Safety words to learn first

Learn these before your first day. Many of them are written on signs.

English	Lithuanian
Stop!	Stok!
Careful!	Atsargiai!
Danger / Dangerous	Pavojus / Pavojinga
Help!	Padėkite!
Fire	Gaisras
Exit	Išėjimas
Emergency exit	Avarinis išėjimas
First aid	Pirmoji pagalba
No entry	Įeiti draudžiama
Hot	Karšta
Slippery	Slidu
High voltage	Aukšta įtampa

And the most important number: 112 — the emergency number in Lithuania and across the EU, for fire, ambulance and police.

Words for talking to your supervisor

English	Lithuanian
I don't understand	Nesuprantu
Please repeat	Pakartokite, prašau
Please speak slowly	Kalbėkite lėtai, prašau
Where is…?	Kur yra…?
Yes / No	Taip / Ne
Thank you	Ačiū
Good morning / Hello	Labas rytas / Labas

"Nesuprantu" may be the most useful word on this page. If you do not understand a safety instruction, say so. It is not a weakness. A supervisor would much rather explain twice than deal with an accident.

Your safety training must make sense to you

Your employer must train you on the risks of your job before you start. That training is only useful if you understand it. If it is given only in Lithuanian and you do not follow it, ask for it in a language you understand, or for a colleague to translate. Do not sign that you have understood something you have not.

Where to learn Lithuanian

Free courses for foreign residents. Some municipalities and universities run free Lithuanian courses for people from outside the EU. Vilnius offers free courses for foreign residents, and Kaunas University of Technology has run free courses for third-country nationals. Places fill quickly, so register early.

Ask your employer. Some employers pay for language lessons, or let you study during working hours. It is worth asking at interview.

Practise every day. Ten minutes a day with a phone app, plus speaking with Lithuanian colleagues, works better than one long lesson a week. Learn the words you see at work first.

Ready to apply?

If you already have the right to work in Lithuania, see our vacancies and apply. Tell us your level of Lithuanian and English when you apply — even "a few words" is useful for us to know. And read what to have ready before you apply.