Lithuania

Scope

Lithuania is in the EU and Schengen Area. Border checks for people depend on whether the voyage crosses an external Schengen border; customs formalities are separately governed by EU customs-territory rules. Under the EU Schengen Borders Code, yachts arriving from or departing to an external Schengen border generally must be inspected at a designated border crossing point. In exceptional cases where a vessel is permitted to use a non-border port, the port authority must first contact the nearest designated border crossing point and arrange inspection. Klaipėda State Seaport also has local vessel-notice, berthing and yacht-navigation rules. Do not treat EU/Schengen internal navigation, permission to berth in a Lithuanian port and clearance as the same authorization. Confirm requirements separately with the port and border/customs authorities based on the previous and next ports and the vessel's use.

Ports of entry and departure

Use an actually authorized maritime border-check point and confirm reception of the vessel with the port. An emergency exception must be reported promptly; it is not a general exemption for ordinary port calls.

Third-party reference (not an official rule): Republic of Lithuania Law on the State Border and Guarding of th

Pre-arrival notification

For a call at Klaipėda State Seaport, Article 8 of the port authority's Navigation Rules requires the master or authorized representative to submit an arrival notice through LUVIS at least 24 hours before entry and identify the intended quay/terminal. If the voyage takes less than 24 hours, submit the notice no later than departure from the previous port. Information includes vessel name, call sign, IMO/MMSI identifiers, flag, port of registry, principal dimensions, maximum freshwater draught, number of people aboard, purpose of call, security information, and planned arrival/departure times, among other details. Late notification may delay entry. This requirement applies to Klaipėda State Seaport; do not treat it as a national reporting deadline for every Lithuanian port or authority. If the vessel is a small private yacht, confirm with the port authority/marina whether the marina or agent submits through LUVIS on its behalf and whether separate border and customs reports are required. Update the receiving authority promptly if the ETA, berth or crew count changes after notification.

Crew and passenger entry

For each person, confirm with the Lithuanian receiving authorities passport validity, visa or prior authorization according to nationality, eligibility to arrive by sea, permitted stay dates, and arrangements for crew changes and disembarkation. Visa-on-arrival rules for air passengers, cruise-ship group arrangements or one nationality's travel account must not be generalized to everyone on a private yacht. Vessel stay and personal immigration permission are assessed separately. No general visa-free assurance is given here.

Important 2026 update | European Entry/Exit System (EES): From 10 April 2026, EES is fully operational at the external borders of the 29 countries using the system. Eligible non-EU short-stay travellers may need to register passport details, facial image/fingerprints and entry/exit times. Exemptions apply, and the vessel's flag alone does not determine the outcome. On a private-yacht arrival, confirm how processing works with the actual border-reception port. This does not mean every port in the country can provide direct clearance.

ETIAS status (3 November 2026): The EU says ETIAS is not yet operational and is not accepting applications; it is not currently a travel authorization that must be purchased. Check again when an implementation date is announced.

Official sources: EU countries using EES · EES implementation timeline · Current ETIAS status

Vessel customs

Vessel-document preparation note: have registration/nationality documents, proof of ownership or the owner's authorization, insurance, previous-port clearance and an inventory ready. Ask Lithuania Customs whether temporary admission, retention aboard, repairs, crew changes, sale or conversion to commercial use require additional formalities. No duty-free period or guarantee requirement applicable to all foreign vessels has been confirmed. Berthing permission is not customs release.

EU vessel customs temporary admission (Temporary Admission; separate from a person's stay): A qualifying privately used yacht registered outside the EU customs territory and used mainly by an eligible resident outside the EU may normally be used temporarily within the EU customs territory for 18 months with relief from customs duty/import VAT. If eligibility conditions are not met, the yacht is put to commercial use or it is not re-exported on time, taxes may become due. This is not an 18-month visa for people aboard.

Official source: EU Temporary Admission FAQ for private boats

As an EU member state, Lithuania applies EU rules for animal and plant products brought by travellers from outside the EU. Meat and dairy are generally prohibited; some fish and foods have quantity/packaging exceptions; plants, fruit and vegetables, seeds and similar items generally require a phytosanitary certificate, with limited exceptions for certain fruit. These rules concern items carried by people and are not vessel-quarantine procedures. Declare and confirm requirements for stores and animals aboard with the Lithuanian border/food and veterinary authorities.

As an EU member state, Lithuania applies EU wildlife-trade controls. Protected species and products may require advance CITES/EU permits. Cross-border carriage of firearms and ammunition must comply with the EU authorization framework and Lithuanian national rules. Do not rely only on a permit from the country of origin; obtain written confirmation from Lithuanian Customs and the licensing authority before departure.

Arrival procedures

Lithuania's border law prohibits people from embarking or disembarking, cargo from being transferred, or vessels from making contact with other vessels between the border and port during international voyages unless permission is granted.

Third-party reference (not an official rule): Republic of Lithuania Law on the State Border and Guarding of th

Klaipėda State Seaport will move to a Port Infrastructure Fee regime from 1 July 2026. Charges include vessel, quay, tonnage, passenger, sanitary and harbour-basin fees; the port authority bills the charges, and vessel data is submitted through LUVIS. The port authority's yacht information does not explain how these charges apply to foreign private pleasure yachts, any exemptions or the calculation method. No uniform national yacht-clearance/departure price list was found. Before arrival, ask Klaipėda Port Authority and the marina to confirm whether charges apply and obtain a current quotation. Do not directly apply general commercial-vessel rates to a private yacht.