Good news on this one: Lithuanian mobile is cheap, fast and easy to sort out. It's one of the least painful things about arriving here, and you can have a working number on your first day.
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Buy a prepaid SIM on arrival โ it takes minutes and needs just your passport
Lithuania has three main mobile operators with excellent coverage nationwide, and EU roaming is included by law. A prepaid SIM from a shop, kiosk or the airport gets you a working number on day one โ switch to a contract later once you have an asmens kodas and a local bank account.
Choose an operator โ buy a prepaid SIM with just your passport โ register it in shop โ activate and go โ switch to a contract later once you have an asmens kodas
| SIM type | Only needs a passport | Needs an asmens kodas | Needs a Lithuanian bank account | Available on day one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prepaid (papildoma) | โ | โ | โ | โ |
| Contract (sutartis) | โ | โ | โ | โ |
Last updated: 31 July 2026. Requirements may vary โ always confirm directly with the provider before proceeding. Contract requirements vary by operator โ check before assuming.
The short version
Buy a prepaid SIM on arrival โ from a shop, kiosk or the airport. It takes minutes, you'll need your passport to register it, and coverage across Lithuania is genuinely excellent. Switch to a contract later if you want, once you have an asmens kodas and a local bank account.
The Operators
Three networks cover Lithuania, and all three offer prepaid and contract plans with English-language customer service.
| Operator | Notes |
|---|---|
| Telia | Large operator with wide coverage and a strong retail presence. Also sells home internet |
| Bitฤ | Competitive pricing, widely available prepaid options |
| Tele2 | Competitive pricing, strong prepaid market presence |
โ Verify before publishing. Current plan prices, data allowances and any sub-brands need researching from each operator's site and dating. Prices change and comparison pages age badly.
Prepaid vs Contract
Prepaid (papildoma)
- โ Available immediately on arrival
- โ Only needs a passport
- โ No credit check, no commitment
- โ Top up in shops, kiosks or by app
- โ Slightly higher cost per GB than contracts
Contract (sutartis)
- โ Better value for heavy use
- โ Handset bundles available
- โ Usually needs an asmens kodas
- โ Usually needs a Lithuanian bank account
- โ Minimum term commitment
Start prepaid. You can't realistically get a contract in your first weeks anyway, and prepaid in Lithuania is cheap enough that many people simply never switch.
What You Need to Register
SIM cards in Lithuania must be registered to a person โ you can't buy an anonymous one.
- Passport or ID card โ this is enough for prepaid
- Asmens kodas โ generally needed for a contract
- Lithuanian bank account โ generally needed for contract direct debit
- Proof of address โ sometimes requested for contracts
Registration is the reason to do this in person
Because SIMs must be registered, buying one in a shop with your passport is the quickest route. Staff do this dozens of times a day, English is generally fine, and you'll walk out with a working number. Airport kiosks work but shop prices are usually better.
eSIM โ Worth Considering Before You Fly
If your phone supports eSIM, you can activate a data plan before you arrive and land already connected โ useful for calling a taxi, finding your accommodation, or confirming a viewing.
Travel eSIM
- โ Activate before you travel
- โ Data working the moment you land
- โ No shop visit needed
- โ Usually data-only, no local number
- โ More expensive per GB
Local SIM
- โ Cheaper
- โ Gives you a Lithuanian number
- โ A local number is useful for deliveries, viewings, banking
- โ Requires a shop visit and passport
A sensible pattern: travel eSIM for the first few days, local SIM once you're settled. You want a Lithuanian number eventually โ landlords, delivery drivers and services all expect one.
Where to buy a travel eSIM
All of these sell Lithuania-specific plans and EU-wide regional plans. The regional plan is usually the better buy if you're arriving via another European airport or plan to cross a border in your first month โ Riga, Warsaw and Tallinn are all a few hours away.
Our recommendation for most arrivals:
Airalo
The largest travel eSIM marketplace and the one with the widest device support. Buy in the app, scan a QR code, and data works when you land. Their Europe regional plan covers Lithuania plus the rest of the EU on one profile.
Holafly
Sells unlimited-data plans rather than fixed GB bundles, which suits anyone tethering a laptop or spending the first week apartment-hunting with maps open all day. More expensive per day, and worth it only if you'd otherwise burn through a bundle.
Saily
Newer and usually among the cheaper options on European routes. Fewer regions covered than Airalo, but Lithuania and the EU are well served, and the app is clean.
Before you buy โ three things worth checking
Does your phone actually support eSIM? Most iPhones from XS onward and most recent Pixel and Samsung flagships do. Phones bought in some markets ship with eSIM disabled, and a carrier-locked phone may refuse a second profile entirely. Check before paying.
Data-only means data-only. Almost all travel eSIMs give you no phone number. You can use WhatsApp, Telegram and data calls, but nobody can ring you, and you cannot receive SMS codes. If your bank at home texts you one-time passcodes, keep your original SIM active for that.
A regional plan is often cheaper than a country plan. Counterintuitive, but Europe-wide bundles are priced competitively and you'll cross a border sooner than you think.
EU Roaming
A Lithuanian SIM works across the EU under roam-like-at-home rules โ your allowance travels with you at no extra cost, subject to fair use policies. Given Lithuania's position and how easy it is to visit Latvia, Poland or Estonia, that's genuinely useful.
Outside the EU, normal roaming charges apply and can be steep. Check before travelling, and consider a travel eSIM for trips further afield.
Coverage and Speed
Coverage is excellent. Lithuania has invested heavily in mobile infrastructure โ 4G is essentially universal and 5G is available in the main cities. You'll have signal in places that would surprise you, including deep in the countryside.
This connects to a broader point worth knowing: Lithuania's telecoms and internet infrastructure is genuinely one of the country's strengths. Home fibre is fast and cheap by European standards, which matters a lot if you work remotely.
Common Mistakes
Waiting to sort a SIM until you "get settled"
You need a working number for viewings, deliveries, bank verification and appointments. Do it on day one.
Relying on your home SIM's roaming
Fine within the EU. Expensive from anywhere else, and it doesn't give you a Lithuanian number.
Not getting a local number at all
A travel eSIM covers data but many local services expect a Lithuanian number. Get one eventually.
Trying to get a contract too early
Contracts generally need an asmens kodas and a local bank account. Start prepaid.
Buying only at the airport
Convenient, but city shops usually offer better value. Fine for day one, worth reviewing after.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a SIM card without a residence permit?
Yes. Prepaid SIMs require registration but a passport is sufficient. Contracts generally need an asmens kodas and a Lithuanian bank account.
Where do I buy one?
Operator shops, larger supermarkets, kiosks and the airport. Take your passport โ registration is required.
Is mobile data expensive in Lithuania?
No โ it's cheap by Western European standards, with generous allowances and strong coverage.
Does my Lithuanian SIM work elsewhere in the EU?
Yes, under EU roam-like-at-home rules, subject to fair use. Outside the EU, standard roaming charges apply.
Should I get an eSIM before arriving?
If your phone supports it and you want data the moment you land, yes. But get a local SIM afterwards โ you'll want a Lithuanian number.
Can I keep my number if I switch operator?
Number portability is standard across the EU. Ask your new operator to handle the transfer.
Is English spoken in phone shops?
Generally yes in the cities, and Russian is widely spoken too. Setting up a SIM is a routine transaction that doesn't require much conversation.
Related Guides
Disclaimer. General guidance. Plan prices and terms change frequently โ confirm current offers directly with the operator. Some links on this page are affiliate links, which may earn us a commission at no cost to you.