Money & Payments in Vilnius (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

Vilnius is highly cashless—plan to use cards for most transactions, but carry €20–50 in small notes for markets, tips, and unexpected cash-only spots.
ATMs are plentiful and most do not charge fees to foreign cardholders; however, some banks (like SEB) charge 2%. Always check the fee display before confirming withdrawal.
Visa and Mastercard are your safest bets; American Express is accepted only at Citadele ATMs and larger venues.
Avoid dynamic currency conversion offers at ATMs—always choose to be charged in EUR for better exchange rates.
Tipping etiquette: avoid saying 'thank you' when handing over payment, as it signals you want no change. Say 'prašau' (please) or hand payment silently if you want change returned.
Restaurant tipping (5–10%) is appreciated for good service but not mandatory; always check if service is already included.
Taxis booked via apps like Bolt accept card payments and typically do not require tips; cash-hailed taxis may require negotiation.
Most international hotel chains expect Western-style tipping; budget local hotels have no strict rules.

ATM Fees

General Pattern: Most bank-run ATMs in Lithuania do not charge ATM access fees to foreign cardholders.
International Fees: Your home bank may levy additional fees for international ATM withdrawals and/or currency conversion; check with your bank before traveling.
Dynamic Currency Conversion Warning: Some ATMs offer conversion to your home currency at the point of withdrawal; this typically results in poor exchange rates and hidden fees. Always choose to be charged in EUR instead.

Local Bank Fees

Seb Bank: €1.00
Other Banks: Some other banks may charge up to €2 per transaction to specific foreign cards; fees are displayed before completion.

ATM Access

Language: Most ATMs offer Lithuanian and English; some offer Russian.
Availability: Abundant; ATMs (called 'Bankomatas' in Lithuanian) are found in bank branches, shopping centers, near supermarkets, and throughout tourist areas.
Operating Hours: Most ATMs operate 24/7.

Withdrawal Limits

Per Transaction: €250–€1,000 typical limit per transaction, depending on the ATM and your card's issuer.
Note: Some ATMs allow withdrawals up to €2,000 per transaction.

Card Compatibility

Widely Accepted

Visa
Mastercard
Cirrus
Maestro

Sometimes Accepted

Plus
American Express (Citadele only)

Tipping Norms

Cultural Venues: Do not tip in theaters, cinemas, or museums; it is not expected and may be misunderstood.
General Context: Tipping is a relatively recent practice in Lithuania (introduced in the 1990s) and is not mandatory. It is appreciated but optional.

Taxis

Expectation: Tipping is not common or expected.
Note: If paying cash, rounding up is acceptable but optional. App-based taxi services (e.g., Bolt) allow 5-star reviews as an alternative way to show appreciation.

Tours

Paid Tours: Tips are appreciated but not required; no standard amount.
Free Walking Tours: Tips are the guide's only income; any amount is appreciated (€5–10 typical).

Hotels

Porters: €1–2 per bag is customary if offered.
Housekeeping: Not common or expected, but €1–2 per day is appreciated if desired.
Note: Tipping depends on hotel tier; international chains expect Western tipping norms; local/budget hotels have no standard rules.

Restaurants

Standard Range: 5–10% for good service is customary.
Etiquette Warning: Saying 'thank you' (ačiū) and nodding when the server brings the bill is traditionally interpreted as 'keep the change'—avoid this if you want change back. Instead, hand the payment to the server quietly or say 'prašau' (please).
Note: Always check if service charge is already included on the bill. If not, 5–15% is reasonable. Tipping shows appreciation but is not required.

Bars And Cafes

Cash Culture: Small change or no tip is standard. Tip jars are often available at the counter.
Card Payments: Tipping machines may be available; tips are welcome but not required.

Card Acceptance

Taxis: Most taxis in Vilnius accept card payments, especially when booked via apps like Bolt. Cash is not required for app-based rides.
Overview: Vilnius is highly card-friendly, with Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in shops, restaurants, hotels, and taxis.
Contactless Payments: Widely supported; mobile payments via Apple Pay, Google Pay, and app-based services are common.

Major Cards

Other Cards

Status: Generally not accepted
Note: JCB, Diners, Discover, Rupay cards are generally not accepted.

Visa Mastercard

Status: Widely accepted
Note: Most common cards for in-store and ATM use throughout the city.

American Express

Status: limited
Note: Accepted mainly in larger businesses and high-end establishments. For ATM withdrawals, only Citadele ATMs accept AmEx.

Cash When Needed

Rural Areas: Cash is more preferred in villages and towns outside Vilnius.
Markets And Street Vendors: Some local markets and street vendors prefer cash payment.
General Note: Vilnius is increasingly cashless, but small amounts of EUR cash are useful for: small local markets, some independent vendors, rural areas outside the city, and occasional establishments that prefer cash.

Banking

Requirements Summary: Foreigners can open accounts but need valid ID, proof of residence in Lithuania (or address documentation), and sometimes evidence of account necessity; EU residents generally face fewer hurdles than non-EU
Account Opening Overview: Possible for both EU and non-EU citizens, but varies significantly by bank and residency status
Critical Note: Local bank account often needed for state services access (healthcare, taxes, car registration, residence permits), utilities payment, and employer salary receipt

Fintech And Emi Options

Advantages: Fast remote onboarding, low/no fees, SEPA access, multi-currency capability
Description: Vilnius is a fast-growing fintech hub (second only to UK in Europe); many fintech institutions and EMIs welcome non-residents and EU citizens

Examples

Paysera
Cost
Free
Features
Multi-currency account (20+ currencies), Visa card available, European IBAN, mobile app access
Setup Time
Up to one business day, fully online

Traditional Bank Accounts

Costs: Opening fees up to EUR 200 for non-residents; monthly maintenance fees vary by institution
Process: In-person or video meeting with documentation (valid ID, residence permit for foreigners, proof of tax residence, documentation of account need)
Timeframe: Several days to weeks depending on bank and documentation completeness
Challenges: Non-resident and non-EU applications face more rigorous due diligence; some traditional banks have higher fees and restrictions for non-resident accounts

Major Banks With Expat Focus

Swedbank — wide branch and ATM network, low monthly fees, multi-currency accounts, English banking
SEB — subsidiary of Swedish bank, serves over a million Lithuanian customers, video remote account opening available
Luminor — third largest Baltic bank, Nordic-backed, accounts for personal and business customers
Citadele — strong retail and small business focus across Baltic region

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 Vilnius

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Vilnius