For a one-semester exchange, citizens of Azerbaijan need a national (D) visa, requested online in MIGRIS and then submitted in person at the application centre in Baku. Once there, Vilnius and Kaunas are compact and cards work almost everywhere. The large student transport discounts cover EU citizens and residence-permit holders, not students on a national visa, so budget for full fares.
Money
Euro (€)
Language
Lithuanian
Time
UTC+2; UTC+3 from the last Sunday of March to the last Sunday of October
Plugs
Type C and F; 230 V
Tipping
Not expected; about 5–10% for good table service is appreciated
Places, programmes and the minimum cGPA are from ADA’s list. Confirm them with the Office of Global Outreach and Partners before you apply: exchange@ada.edu.az
Payments & banking3
Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; a Lithuanian bank account needs proof of your link to Lithuania and a branch visit.
Sw
Swedbank
Largest Lithuanian bank, with a euro account and debit card
Optional
Why you need it: A local IBAN makes rent, dorm deposits and splitting bills easy, and for a foreign student the university is the obvious link to Lithuania the bank asks for.
Paid · Basic plan €1 a month, including one debit card (2026)Varies by nationalityVaries by residence status
Bring your passport with visa and a document showing your link to Lithuania, such as a certificate of enrolment
Wait for the decision, normally within 10 working days
Before you rely on itForeign nationals must open the account at a branch and show a document linking them to Lithuania; ask the branch which ones it accepts. For one semester, a card from home plus an app account is often enough.
Source: swedbank.lt · the provider or a government body · Checked
Re
Revolut
App bank with a euro IBAN and card, licensed in Lithuania
Optional
Why you need it: Revolut’s European bank is Lithuanian, and once you live there it can give you a euro IBAN and card faster than a branch bank.
Free, paid extrasVaries by nationalityVaries by residence status
Wait until you have a Lithuanian address and your visa
Sign up in the app with your passport and a selfie
Upload proof of residence or studies if asked
Before you rely on itFor citizens of Azerbaijan: Revolut does not open accounts for residents of Azerbaijan, so sign up only once you live in Lithuania. Approval is not guaranteed; bring a Visa or Mastercard from home as well.
Source: revolut.com · the provider or a government body · Not yet confirmed at the source; check before relying on it
Pa
Paysera
Lithuanian app account for euro transfers and rent
Optional
Why you need it: A Lithuanian payment institution that opens accounts by app and makes euro transfers for rent and dorm fees cheap.
Free, paid extrasVaries by nationalityVaries by residence status
Download the Paysera app and register with your passport
Complete the identity check, which can take longer for some countries
Use the account for SEPA transfers; order the card only once you live in Lithuania
Before you rely on itFor citizens of Azerbaijan: Azerbaijan is on Paysera’s list of countries with enhanced client identification and monitoring, so expect extra questions. Paysera says only residents of the European Economic Area can order its Visa card.
Source: paysera.com · the provider or a government body · Checked
Essential apps4
A few local apps carry daily life: city transport tickets, Bolt for rides and scooters, Wolt for food.
Bo
Bolt
Rides, e-scooters and food delivery in Vilnius and Kaunas
On arrival
Why you need it: The default way to get a car late at night or with luggage from the airport, with the price shown before you book.
Check the pickup point before confirming at the airport
Before you rely on itBolt also runs scooters, Bolt Food and Bolt Market in both cities. Scooters disappear in heavy snow and ice, so do not count on them in February.
Source: bolt.eu · the provider or a government body · Checked
Wo
Wolt
Food, grocery and shop delivery
Optional
Why you need it: Useful in the first days before you know the shops, and in the cold months when going out for groceries is less appealing.
Download offline maps of Vilnius or Kaunas before you fly
Save your dorm and faculty addresses
Before you rely on itBuy tickets in the city’s own app (JUDU in Vilnius, Žiogas in Kaunas), not in Maps.
Source: google.com · the provider or a government body · Not yet confirmed at the source; check before relying on it
Transport3
Vilnius and Kaunas run buses and trolleybuses only, no metro; trains and intercity buses link the two cities in roughly one to one and a half hours.
JV
JUDU (Vilnius public transport)Essential
Vilnius buses and trolleybuses: tickets by app, card or tap
On arrival
Why you need it: MRU and Vilnius University students cross the city by bus or trolleybus daily, and the JUDU app sells every ticket type, from a single ride to 30 days.
Paid · Full fare: 30 minutes €1, 60 minutes €1.25, 30 days €38 (2026)Varies by cityVaries by nationalityVaries by residence status
Tap a contactless bank card on the validator for your first rides: it buys a full-fare 60-minute ticket
Download the JUDU app and create an account
If you ride daily, buy a 30-day ticket in the app or on a JUDU card
Before you rely on itFor citizens of Azerbaijan: the 80% student discount is set by law for citizens of Lithuania, the EU and the EEA, and for foreigners with a Lithuanian residence permit; a national (D) visa does not qualify, so plan on full fares. EU and EEA students from foreign universities qualify only with an ISIC. The JUDU app links to m.Ticket and Trafi accounts, and tickets show in all three.
Source: judu.lt · the provider or a government body · Checked
ŽK
Žiogas (Kaunas public transport)Essential
Kaunas bus and trolleybus tickets in an app or on a card
On arrival
Why you need it: KTU and VMU campuses are spread across Kaunas, and Žiogas tickets cost much less than tapping a bank card or paying the driver.
Paid · Tapping a bank card: €1.50 a ride with no transfers; Žiogas e-ticket about €0.70 (2026)Varies by cityVaries by nationalityVaries by residence status
Top up the balance and buy or activate a ticket before boarding
Ask at the service centre about longer tickets if you ride daily
Before you rely on itA ride bought by tapping a bank card costs €1.50, is valid to the end of that route and allows no transfer. The student discount follows the same law as in Vilnius: not for national (D) visa holders. The service centre is at Laisvės al. 114, open Monday to Friday 7:30–18:30.
Source: kaunasin.lt · the provider or a government body · Checked
LL
LTG Link
National trains, including Vilnius–Kaunas and the airport line
On arrival
Why you need it: The train is the easy way between Vilnius and Kaunas and for weekend trips, and tickets are cheapest bought before boarding.
PaidVaries by nationalityVaries by residence status
Download the LTG Link app or buy at the station machine
Buy before boarding: tickets bought on the train cost €2 more
Carry your passport for the inspector
Before you rely on itFor citizens of Azerbaijan: the 50% student fare follows the same law as city transport, for EU and EEA citizens and residence-permit holders, so a national (D) visa holder pays full fare. Eligible students show an ISIC, the Lithuanian Student Card or the European Student Card.
Source: isic.lt · a secondary source · Not yet confirmed at the source; check before relying on it
SIM, eSIM & internet2
Prepaid SIMs are cheap, but since 2025 every new one must be registered to an identity document before it works.
LE
Labas, Ežys or Pildyk prepaid SIMEssential
Cheap prepaid mobile data, registered to your passport
On arrival
Why you need it: You need a Lithuanian number for transport apps, delivery, landlords and the university, and prepaid plans suit a five-month stay.
Buy a SIM from Labas (Bitė), Ežys (Telia) or Pildyk (Tele2) at a kiosk, supermarket or operator shop
Register it: online with a photo of your passport and a selfie, or in an operator shop
Top up and pick a data plan in the operator’s app
Before you rely on itSince 1 January 2025 the law requires every prepaid SIM to be registered to its user’s identity before its services can be used. Labas lets citizens of any country register online with passport biometrics (register.labas.lt) or at a Bitė shop; with the other brands, a shop visit with your passport is the safe route.
Source: labas.lt · the provider or a government body · Not yet confirmed at the source; check before relying on it
Ed
eduroam
Campus wi-fi at Lithuanian universities
Before departure
Why you need it: Lithuanian universities connect to eduroam through the national LITNET network, so lectures and libraries are online without using mobile data.
Ask ADA IT whether your account works on eduroam abroad
Install the eduroam CAT profile for your institution before leaving
Otherwise log in with your host university account once it is issued
Before you rely on itWhether an ADA login works abroad was not confirmed, so ask ADA IT, and check with your host’s IT desk that its campus is on eduroam.
Source: litnet.lt · the provider or a government body · Not yet confirmed at the source; check before relying on it
Visa, registration & legal3
National (D) visa through MIGRIS and the application centre in Baku, then registration with your host university on arrival.
ND
National (D) visa for studiesEssential
Entry visa for an exchange semester of more than 90 days
Before departure
Why you need it: A spring semester runs longer than the 90 days a Schengen visa allows, and Lithuania issues national (D) visas to students on exchange programmes.
Paid · State fee €140, waived for students on an exchange programme; €110 service fee at the Baku centre (2026)Varies by nationality
Get the acceptance letter and mediation (tarpininkavimas) number from your host university
Fill in the national visa request in MIGRIS and upload your documents
Once it is submitted, use “Book appointment” next to the request in MIGRIS to book the Baku centre
Bring the originals and give fingerprints at the centre in Baku
Before you rely on itFor citizens of Azerbaijan: applications are taken at the Lithuania Residence Permit Application Centre (Gateway Global), 64 Neftchilar Ave, Crescent Offices, 6th floor, Baku; appointments are booked through MIGRIS. The Migration Department aims to decide within 15 calendar days, but the period can be extended, so apply at least two months ahead. The EU Immigration Portal says students on an exchange programme are exempt from the state fee; confirm with your host university that yours counts.
Source: migracija.lrv.lt · the provider or a government body · Checked
ML
Mediation letter (tarpininkavimas) from the host universityEssential
The host’s confirmation that the visa request depends on
Before departure
Why you need it: The MIGRIS visa request needs the mediation number your host university issues, so nothing moves until its international office sends it.
Complete the host university’s online application once ADA nominates you
Ask the international office for the mediation (tarpininkavimas) number for the national visa
Enter it in your MIGRIS request with the acceptance letter
Before you rely on itEach university issues it through its own system and timetable: KTU sends a mediation certificate with the acceptance letter; MRU gives a mediation number (incoming@mruni.eu). Spring application deadlines fall in autumn: 17 October at VMU and 30 November at KTU (2026); check MRU’s and VU’s own dates.
Source: mruni.eu · the provider or a government body · Checked
HI
Health insuranceEssential
Travel health cover the visa requires, at least €30,000
Before departure
Why you need it: The visa application needs a policy valid in Lithuania and the whole Schengen area for the full stay, and a doctor’s visit without one is expensive.
Buy a policy covering at least €30,000, including repatriation
Make sure it is valid in Lithuania and all Schengen countries for every day of your visa
Upload it to MIGRIS and carry the policy number
Before you rely on itMykolas Romeris University estimates basic cover at about €87–115 for five months (2026). Some hosts ask for a policy covering the whole visa period, not only the semester; check your host’s list.
Source: mruni.eu · the provider or a government body · Checked
Housing & daily life4
Each partner university has dormitories that take exchange students; book through the university as soon as you are nominated.
KD
KTU dormitories
University rooms in Kaunas for KTU exchange students
Before departure
Why you need it: KTU offers a dormitory place to all its incoming exchange students, which settles housing before you fly.
Paid · Double room about €110–254 a month, single €196–301, utilities and internet included; deposit €160–330 (2026)Varies by cityVaries by university
Request a dormitory place in your KTU exchange application
Pay the deposit as instructed
Collect keys at the Student Accommodation Centre, Studentų g. 69 (ground floor of dormitory No. 3)
Before you rely on itThe exact price depends on the building and room, and the centre confirms it. Stays under 60 days are charged on a short-term contract with VAT.
Source: dormitory.ktu.edu · the provider or a government body · Checked
VD
VMU dormitories
Vytautas Magnus University rooms in Kaunas
Before departure
Why you need it: VMU places are limited and first come, first served, and the spring form opens in December, so apply the day it opens.
Watch for the accommodation form, which opens in December for spring students
Apply online as soon as it opens
Sign the accommodation agreement and pay as instructed
Before you rely on itVMU charges by the day, with higher rates for students from other universities than for its own, and fees rose from 1 September 2026; confirm the rate that applies to you on the fees page before you sign.
Source: vdu.lt · the provider or a government body · Checked
VU
Vilnius University dormitories
University rooms in Vilnius for VU exchange students
Before departure
Why you need it: Shared rooms at VU dormitories are far cheaper than renting in Vilnius, but places are limited and not every exchange student gets one.
Apply for accommodation in VU’s online enrolment for exchange students
Watch your email for the offer and confirm it
If no place is offered, start a private search at once
Before you rely on itVU says plainly that limited capacity means it cannot house every student; successful applicants are notified and agree their arrival date with the accommodation officer. Room types and prices are on its accommodation pages.
Source: vu.lt · the provider or a government body · Checked
MS
MRU Student House
Mykolas Romeris University rooms in Vilnius
Before departure
Why you need it: MRU’s two Student Houses are on Didlaukio Street (Nos. 57 and 86), and students book them online with their MRU login.
Paid · Standard places €120–300 a month, renovated €260–550; €100 reservation fee (2026)Varies by cityVaries by university
Create your MRU login from the link the university emails you
Book a room at studentunamai.mruni.eu and pay the €100 reservation fee
Arrive within 30 days of the chosen date, or the place is cancelled without refund
Before you rely on itRent is paid monthly, by the 15th of the month, from the arrival day you chose. The €100 fee is not refunded if you cancel less than two weeks before that date.
Source: mruni.eu · the provider or a government body · Checked
Student life3
The legal student transport discounts (80% in cities, 50% on trains) cover EU and EEA citizens and residence-permit holders, not national-visa holders; ISIC and ESN still bring other discounts.
IS
ISIC
International student card for shop, travel and museum discounts
Optional
Why you need it: It proves student status for discounts anywhere, and the Lithuanian version can carry a Vilnius or Kaunas transport e-ticket, so one card does both.
Paid · €14, or €15 with a Vilnius or Kaunas transport e-ticket (2026)Varies by nationalityVaries by residence status
Order online at isic.lt, choosing your host university from the list
Upload a document-style photo and a copy of your passport
Pick the version with your city’s e-ticket and collect it at a pickup point or have it delivered
Before you rely on itFor citizens of Azerbaijan: an ISIC does not by itself give the legal 80% or 50% transport discounts; ISIC Lithuania says non-EU students also need a Lithuanian residence permit, which a national (D) visa is not. All four partner universities are on its list. The Lithuanian Student Card (LSP) is the local alternative, at €10 for exchange students.
Source: isic.lt · the provider or a government body · Checked
Why you need it: All four partner universities have an ESN section (ESN KTU, ESN VMU, ESN MRU Vilnius, ESN Vilnius University) that runs the first-week events.
Before you rely on itIt is aimed mostly at degree students; your host university’s exchange office has the final word on visas and housing for a semester.
Source: studyin.lt · the provider or a government body · Checked
Communication & language3
Lithuanian is the language of offices and signs; younger people speak English, and Russian should not be your default.
GT
Google TranslateEssential
Camera and conversation translation, offline Lithuanian
Before departure
Why you need it: Notices in dorms, shop labels and letters are often in Lithuanian only; camera mode reads them on the spot.
Before you rely on itWhen you switch to a Lithuanian SIM, keep WhatsApp on your Azerbaijani number or use Change Number so you do not lose chats.
Source: play.google.com · the provider or a government body · Not yet confirmed at the source; check before relying on it
LL
Lithuanian language courses
Survival and semester Lithuanian courses for incoming students
Optional
Why you need it: A few words of Lithuanian change how shop staff and neighbours treat you, and VMU runs an intensive January course right before the spring term.
Ask your host university whether it offers survival Lithuanian for exchange students
For VMU’s one-month January course, write to bsu@vdu.lt about dates and fees
Add a semester Lithuanian course to your learning agreement if credits are offered
Before you rely on itVMU says its summer course is free for Erasmus+ students; whether that applies to a bilateral exchange from ADA, and what the winter course costs, was not confirmed.
Source: vdu.lt · the provider or a government body · Checked
Words for the first week
LabasLAH-bahs
Hello (informal, used almost everywhere)
Laba dienaLAH-bah dyeh-NAH
Good day; polite hello
AčiūAH-choo
Thank you
Prašauprah-SHOW
Please; also “here you are” and “you’re welcome”
Atsiprašauaht-sih-prah-SHOW
Excuse me; sorry
Ar kalbate angliškai?
Do you speak English?
Aš esu mainų studentas / studentė
I am an exchange student (man / woman)
Kiek kainuoja?
How much does it cost?
Ar galiu mokėti kortele?
Can I pay by card?
Pagalbos!pah-gahl-BOHS
Help!
Emergency & safety3
112 covers police, ambulance and fire; save the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Vilnius before you go.
EO
Embassy of Azerbaijan in LithuaniaEssential
Consular help for citizens of Azerbaijan, in Vilnius
Before departure
Why you need it: If your passport is lost or stolen, the embassy issues an emergency travel document (qayıdış şəhadətnaməsi) to get you home.
Note consular reception: Tuesday to Thursday, 10:00–12:30; phone line 10:00–17:00 with a break 13:00–14:00
Keep a scan of your passport and visa in your email
Before you rely on itNot from Azerbaijan? Your own embassy’s page is the one to save. The embassy is at Gedimino pr. 35, Vilnius, about 60–80 minutes by train from Kaunas. Documents are collected on Mondays, 10:00–12:00.
Source: vilnius.mfa.gov.az · the provider or a government body · Checked
1E
112 (Emergency Response Centre)
One number for police, ambulance, fire and environment
Before departure
Why you need it: There is no separate police or ambulance number to learn: 112 covers all four services anywhere in Lithuania.
Know your dorm address in Lithuanian spelling to read out
Call rather than text: a voice call lets the centre locate you
Before you rely on itSMS to 112 exists but the centre advises against it unless you cannot speak: texting is slower and carries no location. Its mobile app is meant for people with hearing or speech impairments.
Source: 112.lt · the provider or a government body · Checked
Ep
ePolicija
Report a non-urgent crime to the police online
Optional
Why you need it: For a stolen phone or a rental scam you need a police report for insurance and a new passport, and this files one without a station visit.
Before you rely on itFor anything happening now, call 112. The police also answer on +370 700 60000 and info@policija.lt.
Source: zmogausteisiugidas.lt · a secondary source · Not yet confirmed at the source; check before relying on it
Culture & practical tips
People are reserved at first and punctual; small habits around greetings, shoes and queues matter.
01Do not open in Russian
Many older people understand Russian, but starting a conversation in it can come across badly. Open with Labas or in English, and switch to Russian only if the other person offers it.
02February is properly cold
Spring-semester arrivals land in mid-winter: temperatures well below zero, ice on pavements and short days. Bring or buy insulated boots with grip, gloves and a hat in the first week.
03Two independence days in spring
16 February and 11 March are public holidays, as are Easter Monday and 1 May. Offices and many shops close or shorten their hours; plan paperwork around them.
04Bottles have a deposit
Most drink bottles and cans carry a small deposit marked on the label. Return them to the machines (taromatai) in supermarkets for a voucher instead of throwing them away.
05Shoes off indoors
In Lithuanian homes people take their shoes off at the door, and dorm rooms are treated the same. Expect it when invited, and bring slippers.
06Even numbers of flowers are for funerals
When bringing flowers to a host or a lecturer, give an odd number. Even numbers are for graves and funerals.
07Reserved, then warm
Strangers rarely make small talk and public transport is quiet. Do not read it as unfriendly; Lithuanians tend to open up once they know you.
08A student card is not always a discount
Lithuania’s student fares are set by law for EU and EEA citizens and residence-permit holders. On a national (D) visa, buy full-fare tickets: inspectors fine a discounted ticket without the right papers, even if the ticket itself is valid.
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