Pensions
Pensions
Information on payment of pensions to individuals living abroad
Lithuanian state social insurance pensions are granted and paid to individuals living abroad, regardless of their nationality. The main requirement for pension eligibility is having a minimum insurance period for the respective pension type based on employment in Lithuanian companies, institutions, or organizations (the minimum period for a retirement pension is 15 years). Exiled persons and political prisoners who gained part of their service time during imprisonment or exile are not subject to the employment-based minimum service requirement in Lithuanian institutions.
Lithuanian citizens and foreigners living abroad can submit applications and other necessary documents for pension assignment or continuation directly to the Foreign Payments Department of the State Social Insurance Fund Board in Vilnius.
More information on pensions for those living abroad can be found here.
Individuals living abroad must submit a document confirming that they are alive and residing in a specific location to "Sodra" by the end of each year. The document can be issued (certified) by:
- A competent authority in the country where the individual resides (in Canada - Service Canada).
- A notary in the foreign country where the individual resides;
- A consular officer from a Lithuanian diplomatic mission or consulate;
A template for the declaration, confirming that the individual is alive and resides in a specific location, is available in three languages on the Sodra website (in the "Living Abroad" section). The filled-out declaration can be certified by a notary in the country of residence, the competent authority (for pension allocation and payments), or a Lithuanian consular officer.
The document must be issued no earlier than October 1st of the current year.
IMPORTANT: Starting from October 1, 2024, pensioners living abroad can also verify their identity remotely - via video call. To use the video call identity verification service, registration is required through the general "Sodra" phone number +370 5 2500883. During registration, detailed instructions will be provided. After successful registration, a link with a unique connection invitation will be sent to the registered email address. More information is available here. Lithuanian Ministry of Social Security and Labor's website.
NOTE: Lithuanian citizens living abroad, submitting documents to "Sodra" for pension assignment or continuation, can request a certificate confirming that they are alive and residing in a specific location. The consular fee for issuing this certificate is €30.
Useful Information:
