News by topic
1. Replacement of residence permits for Ukrainian war refugees has started
Status: official Migration Department announcement published on 2026-10-05; this is procedural information and no new additional requirements were introduced.
What changes: replacement of digital temporary residence permits started on 2026-10-05. The application is completed in MIGRIS, followed by an appointment and presentation of original documents. The permits currently issued are valid until 2028-03-04 and replacement is free of charge.
Who is affected: Ukrainian war refugees granted temporary protection in Lithuania who replace their digital temporary residence permit.
Practical steps: employers should inform affected employees about the procedure and update lawful-residence document records after the permit is replaced.
Source: Migration Department.
2. Sodra benefit limits for Q4 2026
Status: official Sodra explanation published on 2026-10-02. The benefit calculation method does not change, but some limits were recalculated using an average monthly wage of EUR 2,616.
What changes: from 2026-10-01, the minimum monthly sickness benefit is EUR 304.50 and the maximum is EUR 3,246.98; when caring for a sick family member or child, the maximum monthly sickness benefit is EUR 3,449.98. Some maximum paternity and childcare benefit limits also increased. Unemployment benefit limits did not change.
Who is affected: social insurance benefit recipients whose calculated benefit falls within the minimum or maximum limit rules.
Practical steps: HR and payroll specialists should use the updated limits when explaining benefit amounts to employees; this is not a new employer social insurance contribution rate.
Source: Sodra.
3. Work through digital platforms – amendments approved by the Government
Status: on 2026-09-30, the Ministry of Social Security and Labour announced that the Government had approved amendments to the Labour Code and other laws intended to transpose the EU Platform Work Directive. This is not yet final legislation in force.
What changes: the proposals would clarify assessment of employment status for people working through platforms, increase transparency of algorithmic management, ensure human review of significant automated decisions, and provide rights to explanations and challenges of algorithmic decisions.
Who is affected: digital labour platform operators and people working through them; some proposed requirements concern systems using algorithmic management.
Practical steps: while the legislative process is ongoing, inventory automated systems, data collected and human-control procedures, but do not treat the proposal as a new obligation already in force.
Source: Ministry of Social Security and Labour.
4. VDAI published a summary of notable 2025 court decisions
Status: court-practice review published by VDAI on 2026-09-30; it is not a new legal act.
What changes: no new binding rules were introduced, but the review summarises court findings on VDAI discretion to impose corrective measures, the lawfulness of video surveillance, processing based on a legal obligation and processing to obtain payment for services.
Who is affected: controllers and processors for whom the reviewed case law is relevant.
Practical steps: take the case law into account when reviewing the legal basis for video surveillance, privacy notices, processing in debt administration and documentation of decisions.
Source: VDAI.
5. Supreme Court on contract interpretation in a jointly owned trade mark dispute
Status: Supreme Court of Lithuania ruling of 2026-10-05 in civil case No e3K-3-118-933/2026; the official courts announcement was published on 2026-10-06.
What changes: the Court stressed that in a dispute concerning jointly owned trade marks the true content of the parties' agreement must first be established under contract-interpretation rules. Where the agreement contains gaps, general co-ownership rules may also be relevant, taking account of trade mark protection specifics. Part of the case was remitted for rehearing.
Who is affected: co-owners of trade marks or other jointly owned intellectual property and their contractual relationships.
Practical steps: agreements should clearly regulate use, licensing, consent procedures, revenue and dispute resolution; in a dispute, assess not only literal wording but also the purpose and circumstances of the agreement.
Source: Lithuanian Courts.