Money:
The official currency is the Litas (LTL), which is linked to the
euro at a fixed rate of 3.4528 Lt to EUR1. ATMs are found in
Vilnius on the Cirrus and Visa networks, but are rare in smaller
towns. Most retailers, hotels, restaurants and the like accept
credit cards, and banks and hotels will cash travellers
cheques.
Time:
Electricity:
European style two-pin sockets at 220 volts AC,
50Hz.
Language:
Lithuanian is the official language, but Russian and
English are widely spoken.
Health:
The only health risks associated with visiting Lithuania are for
those intending to visit forested areas, who are advised to take
the necessary precautions against tick-borne encephalitis. EU
citizens are entitled to emergency medical treatment if they have a
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from their country of origin.
Medical facilities are fair and there are plenty of doctors, but
equipment and resources are lacking. There are a few private
clinics of high standard. Doctors and hospitals usually expect
immediate cash payment for services. Travel medical insurance is
highly recommended.
Tipping:
Tipping is not required as a matter of course, but is
appreciated for exceptionally good service. Rounding up the bill to
avoid accumulating small change is customary.
Safety:
Safety in Lithuania is not a major issue for travellers, the
country is devoid of civil unrest and the terrorism threat is low.
Car theft is rife, and there is a risk of mugging, pick-pocketing
and bag snatching especially on public transport. Visitors should
exercise due care and avoid carrying valuables. It is advisable to
carry a copy of your passport for identification purposes. Traffic
accidents are common, so extra vigilance is required for driving,
especially at night.
Customs:
Business:
Business in Lithuania is usually conducted formally, though the
younger generation is less conservative. Face-to-face meetings are
key, with good eye contact and a firm handshake upon greeting.
Business cards are usually exchanged and it is important to be
punctual. Use titles and surnames, unless otherwise indicated.
Suits and ties are the norm. Lithuanians are hospitable and
friendly and any invitation should be accepted, as this is a good
opportunity to forge better business relations and build trust.
Meetings tend to start with some small talk and can sometimes end
with a summary of the discussions, though decision making and
results can be slow. Business hours are usually from 9am to 1pm and
2pm to 6pm Monday to Friday.
Duty Free:
Duty free allowances for travellers to Lithuania include 200
cigarettes or 250g of tobacco; 1 litre spirits, 2 litres wine or 5
litres beer; perfume for personal use.
Communications:
The international dialling code for Lithuania is +370. The
outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g.
0044 for the UK) and the country has three-digit area codes.
Vilnius has six different area codes: 521 and 523-527. Local calls
can be dialled without the area codes. There are three major mobile
GSM network service providers and connections are excellent. The
Internet is well established in Lithuania and cities teem with
Internet cafes. Small towns and villages have public Internet
access points in libraries, post offices and tourist information
centres.