Lithuania

Funding bodies

Fund Goal

The MEDIA sub-programme of Creative Europe supports the EU film and audiovisual industries financially in the development, distribution and promotion of their work. It helps to launch projects with a European dimension and nurtures new technologies; it enables European films and audiovisual works including...

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Fund Goal

To encourage co-operation between professionals working in different countries by providing financial support to European co-productions.

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Fund Goal

The goal of Lithuanian Film Centre is to participate in designing an effective film and audiovisual sector policy and to foster the sustainability of the Lithuanian film industry.

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Regulation

The nationals of the following countries do not need a visa to enter Lithuania for a short-term stay:, European Union, Albania, Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Macao, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, St Kitts and Nevis, Switzerland, Taiwan, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela.
For more details please consult: https://in.mfa.lt/in/en/travel-and-residence/coming-to-lithuania/visas

 
Nationals of the EU/EEA Member States and Switzerland including the latest two countries of Bulgaria and Romania, are able to work without restriction in Lithuania.
For all other nationalities a work permit and residence permit is required before entering Lithuania.
To obtain a work permit: The application should be made to the Lithuanian Labour Exchange at the Ministry of Social Security and Labour and can take a couple of months before being issued if all conditions are met. Work permits will be issued only if no Lithuanian specialist is found corresponding to the employer’s qualifying demand.

No official permission is required for feature film shoots or any other type of production other than the normal requirement for permission from the owner of the authority responsible for the location in question. Permits take usually no more than a week.

Accepts ATA Carnets for Commercial Samples, Exhibitions and Fairs, Professional Equipment. For detailed information visit http://www.chambers.lt

VAT standard rate in Lithuania is 21% (since Sep 2009). Reduced rate of 9% applies to: books and non-periodical publications, supply of heating to residential premises and the supply of heating water, hotel accommodation services The reduced rate of 5% applies to: pharmaceuticals and medical aid devices (if cost wholly or partly compensated following the provisions of the Law on Health Insurance) The VAT rate on exports of goods, intra-community supplies of goods and certain services is 0% (i.e. exemption with credit). Are exempt from VAT (i.e. exempt without credit):insurance, banking, financial services, etc. Lithuania VAT Recovery Time: 6-12 months Potential 2% VAT rise

This law shall regulates   1.  copyright in literary, scientific and artistic works (copyright); 2.  the rights of performers, producers of phonograms, broadcasting organizations and producers of the first fixation of an audiovisual work (film) (related rights); 3.  special provisions of the legal protection of databases (sui-generis right); 4.  exercise, collective administration and enforcement of copyright and related rights. This law shall regulates 1.  copyright in literary, scientific and artistic works (copyright); 2.  the rights of performers, producers of phonograms, broadcasting organizations and producers of the first fixation of an audiovisual work (film) (related rights); 3.  special provisions of the legal protection of databases (sui-generis right); 4.  exercise, collective administration and enforcement of copyright and related rights.  

For persons working under employment contracts the current social security rates are 30.98%-31.7% for employers (including 3% pension insurance and 6% health insurance contribution withheld by the employer on behalf of the employee) and 9% for employees. Other social security contribution rates are as follows: • 29.7% for the insurers and 9% for the insured on income derived under copyright agreements received not from the employer; • 28.5% for the insurers and 9% for the insured on income derived from sports activities and performers’ activities received not from the employer; • 30.98% for the insurers and 9% for the insured shall apply on all income derived from sports activities, performers’ activities or income derived under copyright agreements received from the employer; • 37,5% on income received from individual activities, including lawyers, notaries, bailiffs, except for income derived under business certificates; • individuals receiving income from individual activities derived under business certificates have to pay contributions for base pension amounting to 50% of the state base pension amount.

Film Commissions

Kaunas

Kaunas Film Office is a public, nonprofit entity whose primary objective is to promote Kaunas and its region as prime locations for filming. Kaunas Film Office is the result of a joint effort between the Kaunas municipality and Kauno Kino studija (Kaunas Cinema Studio), which goal is to make Kaunas...

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Vilnius

The purpose of the Lithuanian Film Centre (LFC) is to promote Lithuanian cinematography. Its principal goal is to collect information about Lithuanian film artists and provide the latest news about Lithuanian cinema. These goals are reflected in the structure of the website with a news and events section...

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Vilnius

Vilnius has established its Film Office to assist filmmakers in providing all the information on filming in Lithuanian Capital. The Office aims at making Vilnius most friendly location to produce, shoot and post product movies. Vilnius Film Office has a Leadership Board call Board of Supervisors, confirmed...

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Coproduction treaties

Professional Associations

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