Legal entry into the Lithuanian and wider EU market
Company incorporation in Vilnius, licensing, banking, residence permits, and tax structuring — we take the client from the first consultation through to a stable operation inside the European Union. The practice is led from our Vilnius office by Dr Vilius Nikitinas.
Company incorporation
UAB, MB, branch, or representative office — the form is chosen to match the actual business model and the shareholders’ structure.
- Name clearance and articles of association
- Notarial execution of the incorporation documents
- Filing with the Lithuanian Register of Legal Entities
Bank account
End-to-end support through KYC with Lithuanian banks and licensed EMIs — from the beneficial-ownership questionnaire through to live operating accounts.
- KYC file and source-of-funds evidence
- Liaison with the compliance officer
- EMI alternatives in the event of a bank declination
Residence permits
Temporary and national permits for founders, directors, and key employees — on the basis of business activity or the start-up visa.
- Business case for the Migracijos departamentas
- Documentation for family members
- Renewal and transition to permanent residence
Licensing and regulation
Sectoral licences from Lietuvos bankas, the State Food and Veterinary Service, the communications regulator, and other authorities.
- Payment institutions, EMIs, and crowdfunding
- Transport, logistics, and the food industry
- IT, telecoms, and personal-data processing
Tax structuring
Effective-rate planning across VAT, 15 / 6 / 0 % corporate income tax, and the Ukraine–Lithuania double-tax treaty.
- Residence of the company and of the beneficial owner
- Cross-border dividends, royalties, and interest
- Preparation for VMI tax audits
Ongoing support
Corporate secretarial, contracts, employment, GDPR, and dispute defence — on a continuing retainer.
- Shareholder resolutions and minutes
- Contracts with counterparties and with staff
- Representation before the Lithuanian courts
Dr Vilius Nikitinas
Doctor of Law, with more than twenty years’ practice in Lithuania. Leads client matters personally: company incorporation, banking, licensing before Lietuvos bankas, residence permits, tax structuring, and disputes before the Lithuanian courts. Working languages: English, Lithuanian, Russian, and Ukrainian.
From the first meeting to an operating Lithuanian company
Each stage is structured so that the client knows exactly what is happening today, what comes next week, and where the risks in the project lie.
Diagnosis and objectives
We map the business model, the target markets, the ownership, and the reasons for choosing Lithuania. The conclusions are set out in a short memorandum.
Structure and budget
We propose two or three options for the corporate and tax structure, with timelines, official fees, and an estimate of legal costs.
Set-up and launch
We prepare the documents, deal with the notary, the bank, and the Register, and obtain the permits and licences on the agreed timeline.
Post-launch support
Corporate secretarial, contracts, employment, and tax audits. One partner of record, and a predictable monthly budget.
The first twenty-four hours after instruction
The Lithuanian working day overlaps with our clients’ schedule. The first substantive steps are taken on the first business day.
The matters clients bring to us
Four practical cases. Each is focused on the outcome — not on process for its own sake.
A Ukrainian business entering the EU market through Lithuania
- Import and sanctions analysis for the goods
- UAB set-up, and EORI and VAT registration
- Distribution and logistics contracts with Lithuanian partners
- Residence permits for the Ukrainian management team
An IT company relocating its operating jurisdiction
- Choice between UAB, MB, and the Startup Lithuania track
- Transfer of software rights and trademarks to the new entity
- Employment and stock-option arrangements for developers
- Tax planning for dividends to Ukrainian founders
A start-up applying for the Startup Lithuania visa
- Eligibility review against the innovation criteria
- English-language business plan for the assessment panel
- Support through the evaluation interview
- National visa and subsequent residence permit
An investor acquiring a Lithuanian asset or a stake in a UAB
- Legal due diligence of the company and the assets
- Share purchase agreement with notarial execution
- Merger-control clearance where required
- Filings with the Register and with the beneficial-ownership register