Informative Materials – Lithuania

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1 Informative Materials – Lithuania
1.1 Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning
1.2 Information for foreigners who want to work as caregivers in Lithuania
1.2.1 Recognition of education obtained in home country’; Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning
1.2.2 Recognition of foreign professional qualifications in Lithuania
1.3 Employment conditions in Lithuania; recognition procedures for the purpose of work; language requirements; employment regulations
1.4 Specific training for people who come from specific countries to Lithuania (as low-skilled foreigners)
1.5 Information on earning
1.6 Job offers
1.7 Some statistic data
1.8 Link to relevant websites in country
1.9 Useful materials
1.10 References

Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning

In Lithuania, social workers and assistants need to hold specific qualifications and complete training. The requirements for social workers are: (i) a qualification in social work or a completed studies in social work and a qualification in social sciences; (ii) other completed qualification degree and a qualification as a social worker, or a completed social work-study programme, or a training to prepare for the practical activity of a social worker. In addition, social workers are required to complete at least 16 hours of training per year, which is sponsored by the employer. Assistants of social workers and home care workers have to hold a specific qualification or undergo a training of at least 40 hours to start working in social services institutions. In July 2021, the Ministry of Social Security and Labour set a new requirement for assistants of social workers and home care workers – both of which will be obliged to undergo 400 hours of training instead of 40 hours.

In Lithuania you can obtain the following level of education in social care field at Lower-secondary and Upper-secondary education:

  • Career – social worker – Level 3 in Lithuanian national qualifications framework level which is equivalent of level 3 in EQF
  • Vocational education and training diploma
  • Qualified worker’s diploma

Information for foreigners who want to work as caregivers in Lithuania

Recognition of education obtained in home country’; Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning

In accordance with the Lithuanian Higher Education Law, international students who have completed their secondary or high school education outside of Lithuania are required to undergo academic recognition of their qualification. Academic recognition involves assessing the academic value of a qualification and determining whether it meets the general academic requirements for a similar qualification in Lithuania. More information can be found at: The Lisbon Recognition Convention – ENIC-NARIC

The Center for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (CQAHE), operating under the Ministry of Education and Science of Lithuania, is responsible for conducting academic recognition for both EU and non-EU foreigners. You can visit their website at www.skvc.lt.

The process of recognition is generally straightforward. Depending on the student’s country of origin, it may take up to one month to receive qualification recognition. Therefore, we advise students to initiate the recognition process as early as possible. The procedure is conducted fully online through the CQAHE website at – SKVC.

In some cases, CQAHE may request the candidate to mail original documents for verification. It’s important to note that the recognition process is free of charge.

Recognition of foreign professional qualifications in Lithuania

Lithuanian Assistance Centre for the Recognition of Professional Qualifications assists foreigners with recognition of professional qualifications. If you intend to work in a regulated profession in Lithuania, it is necessary for your appropriate professional qualification obtained in another country to be recognized. You can find a list of regulated professions here: List of regulated professions

To have your professional qualification recognized, you are required to apply to the competent authority. They will provide you with an application form for professional qualification recognition and a comprehensive list of the necessary documents. You can submit the application and required documents to the competent authority.

Decisions regarding the recognition of professional qualifications are made by the competent authority as expeditiously as possible, but no later than three months from the date of receiving all the required documents.

The application must include Lithuanian translations of the documents, and the translations should be certified by a translator’s signature and/or the seal of a translation agency.

Employment conditions in Lithuania; recognition procedures for the purpose of work; language requirements; employment regulations

For employment conditions of EU citizens see Living and working conditions: LITHUANIA (europa.eu)

Foreigners from non-EU countries must apply for a work permit, visa and residence card.

Conditions for non-EU foreigners

Recognition of education for the purpose of work is done by. Center for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (CQAHE). For more information please see: Evaluation of education/qualification

To fully integrate with the local community and for working purposes it is highly recommended to learn Lithuanian.

Opportunities to learn Lithuanian:

Specific training for people who come from specific countries to Lithuania (as low-skilled foreigners)

There is no date indicating such practice

Information on earning

In Lithuania, the average salary for a senior caregiver is €1,950 gross/month. Caregivers with less than 2 years of experience can earn up to €1,150 gross/month, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn around €2,300 gross/month. A caregiver with a high school diploma earns an average of €1,450 gross/month, whereas a senior caregiver with a bachelor’s degree can earn up to €2,700 gross/month (Worldsalaries, 2023).

Job offers

Some statistic data

In 2018 the population of individuals aged 65 and over amounted to 19.6 %.

Lithuania  has  1 LTC worker per 100 individuals in this age group (which is much less than OECD average – 5 LTC workers).

Most of the elderly care is performed by family members.

According to the statistics for 2018 around 19,880 individuals (65+ age) receive social services at home.

Around 1% of seniors receive institutional (residential) care.

Link to relevant websites in country

Useful materials

The Benefits of Living in Lithuania

References