Money & Payments in Kaunas (2026)

Local Currency: EUR (Euro)

Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: atmfeesaver.com, wise.com

Good to know

Good to Know

Kaunas is highly cashless, with card and digital payments widely accepted in cities and major tourist areas.
ATMs offer the best exchange rate possible—the mid-market rate.
Bank of Lithuania operates cash offices in Kaunas that provide services such as exchanging worn or damaged euro banknotes and coins.
Make smaller ATM withdrawals as and when you need them rather than carrying lots of cash, as it can be a security risk.
Tipping is quite a new trend in Lithuania, so locals will not treat you differently if you decide not to leave a tip, but it can show your appreciation of good service.

Digital Fintech Options

Process: No in-person visit required; entirely online via mobile app or website
Timeline: 1 business day to account activation
Description: Online-only Lithuanian banks and fintech companies (Paysera, Revolut, Wise) offer fully digital account opening for non-residents.

Paysera

Setup: Completely free; online only; takes up to one business day
Features: Multi-currency account (20+ currencies), Visa card, European IBAN, mobile app access

Traditional Bank Account

Process: Requires in-person visit to bank branch for non-residents; must submit passport/ID, residence permit (if applicable), and proof of need (employment contract, study certificate, rental agreement, etc.). Processing takes a few days to one week.
Timeline: 5 business days to receive card after submission; setup process can take several days for documentation review

Cost

Account Opening: €200
Note: Some banks charge fees for account opening; others charge monthly maintenance fees for non-residents. Fee structures vary by bank.

ATM Fees

Overview: Most bank-run ATMs don't charge, and they'll usually have an English option, so any extra costs will be flagged up before you complete the transaction.
Avoid Dcc: Steer clear of DCC. Pay in local currency or you could be hit with high fees and poor exchange rates.
Best Practice: Stick to ATMs attached to banks, in supermarkets or shopping centres if you can, as the exchange rates there are often much more favourable.
Foreign Bank Fees: Some ATMs may charge extra fees for foreign cards, and your own card issuer might have fees including foreign transaction fees and out of network ATM costs.

ATM Access

Languages: ATMs in Lithuania typically offer Lithuanian and English as primary languages.
Availability: In major cities like Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipėda, ATMs are widely available, especially near bank branches, shopping centers, and commercial districts.
Withdrawal Limits: ATMs in Lithuania have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of EUR 750 to EUR 2,000 per transaction.

Tipping Norms

Taxis: Tipping a taxi driver isn't common or expected, especially today when most taxi companies have apps. If you decide to pay cash, you can round up to make things easier.
Tours: Definitely expected in free tours—your tip is the only earning guides get.
Hotels: Tipping hotel staff isn't common, but definitely appreciated.
General: Tipping was brought by tourists and international businesses only in the late 1990s, so it isn't very common and there are no standard rules.
Bars Cafes: In bars or cafes tips are welcome, but there are no standard rules. Most of the times you may see a tip jar on the counter to throw change in.
Restaurants: If service is not included on the bill, you should tip 5-15% for good service.
Cultural Venues: It is not common or expected to tip in theaters, cinemas or other culture places like museums.
Restaurants Note: In Lithuania, saying 'thanks' when the waitstaff come to collect the bill may be an indication that you don't want any change back, which can get embarrassing. Only say 'thank you' when the service is no longer needed, when you're getting up to leave, or if you are happy for them to keep all of the change.

Local Currency

EUR (Euro)

Card Acceptance

Status: Widely accepted in urban areas
Details: In Kaunas, taxis almost all take cards. Cash is still commonly used in Kaunas, but many larger stores, restaurants and hotels—especially in tourist areas—are able to accept card payments, and it's worth taking both cards and cash.
Cards Accepted: ATMs commonly accept Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro cards. Visa and Master Card are the most common cards; acceptance of American Express is more limited.
Note On Dcc: When ATMs ask 'Accept or Decline Conversion', decline to get the bank's exchange rate and avoid extra fees.

Key Considerations

EU law does not restrict account opening by residency status. Non-residents at traditional banks may face higher monthly fees (0.72–1.45 EUR). Residence permit must be added to account to access e-government services. Fintech accounts avoid traditional bank fees but may have different feature sets.

Account Opening For Foreigners

Foreigners and non-residents can open bank accounts in Lithuania. Process varies by institution.

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Kaunas

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Kaunas