If your job is on the Lithuania Shortage Occupations List, a Lithuanian employer can hire you without first proving that nobody in Lithuania or the wider EU could do the work. They do not have to apply to the Employment Service for a decision at all. That is the whole benefit, and it removes the step that most often kills an application before it starts.
It is worth being precise about what it does not remove, because the usual summary of this route is wrong and the mistake is expensive. You still need a visa and a residence permit. What you skip is the work permit.
What the list exempts you from, and what it does not
Normally a Lithuanian employer hiring outside the EU needs a decision on the compliance of the foreigner’s work with labour market needs. The Employment Service issues it, and to get one the employer has to advertise the role locally and show that it could not be filled. That takes time and it can fail.
For a profession on the shortage list, that requirement drops away. Employers no longer approach the Employment Service for these hires at all.
| Step | Shortage profession | Everything else |
|---|---|---|
| Labour market test | Not required | Required |
| Employment Service decision | Not required | Required |
| Work permit | Not required | Required |
| National visa | Still required | Still required |
| Temporary residence permit | Still required | Still required |
| Salary minimum | Still applies | Still applies |
So the phrase you will see everywhere, that these jobs need no work visa, is not right. You need permission to enter and permission to reside. What you have been spared is the hardest of the three hurdles, not all of them.
How a profession gets on the list
The Employment Service builds the list from its own registered vacancy and jobseeker data, broken down by economic activity. The tests are numerical:
- In industry, construction and agriculture, registered demand for the profession must exceed supply by at least two times over a year.
- In services, where turnover is higher, the bar is five times.
- The profession’s registered vacancies must also make up at least 5 per cent of the total.
The list is approved for one calendar year and can be clarified once within it. Two things follow. A profession can come off the list as soon as the ratio moves, so a list from an earlier year tells you nothing about this one. And because the thresholds differ by sector, the same shortfall counts in a factory and does not count in a restaurant.
The two lists people confuse
Lithuania runs more than one list, and mixing them up is the second most common mistake after the work visa one.
- Professions in short supply. The list described above, organised by economic activity. It removes the labour market test and the work permit.
- Highly qualified professions in short supply, also called the high value added list. This one affects the salary you have to be paid and how the annual quota applies to you, not the work permit.
Check both. A job can be on one and not the other, and they are approved by different bodies under different rules.
The salary rule, and how to work it out yourself
Lithuania does not publish a fixed euro threshold. Every figure is a multiple of the average gross monthly salary in the national economy, which the State Data Agency publishes and revises. It stood at EUR 2,411.40 a month when this guide was last checked. Work from the multiplier, not from a figure you read somewhere:
| Situation | Multiplier | At EUR 2,411.40 |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary residence permit for work | 1.0x | EUR 2,411.40 |
| Over the annual quota, profession not on the high value added list | 1.2x | EUR 2,893.68 |
| Over the quota, profession on the high value added list | 1.0x | EUR 2,411.40 |
| EU Blue Card, profession on the high value added list | 1.2x | EUR 2,893.68 |
| EU Blue Card, any other eligible job | 1.5x | EUR 3,617.10 |
The pattern is worth noticing. Being on a shortage list does not cut the salary you must be paid below the national average, but it does stop you being pushed to a higher multiple when the quota is full or when you go the Blue Card route. In a tight year that is the difference between an offer that works and one that does not.
The Labour Exchange does not exist any more
A small thing that tells you whether a guide is current. Lithuania’s employment body was the Lithuanian Labour Exchange until 2018, when it was reorganised as the Employment Service, Uzimtumo tarnyba. Plenty of English language guides, including an earlier version of this one, still send you to the Labour Exchange. If yours does, assume the rest of it is that old too.
The list itself, by sector
Below are the professions and their Lithuanian classifier codes, grouped by economic activity. The code is what counts, not the job title. Lithuania classifies by code, some codes and titles have been renamed in the classifier since this list was published, and a title that reads like yours may sit under a different one. Use this to find your occupation family, then confirm the current code and whether it is still listed.
Note how the list is weighted. Construction and industry account for the overwhelming majority; services barely feature, which is what you would expect given the five times threshold that sector has to clear.
Construction (58 professions)
| Code | Profession |
|---|---|
| 711102 | Wide profile builder |
| 711202 | Bricklayer |
| 711203 | Fire brick mason, fire hardener |
| 711405 | Concrete reinforcement worker |
| 711407 | Concrete worker |
| 711511 | Carpenter fitter |
| 711518 | Window and/or Door Installer |
| 711911 | Scaffolder |
| 711912 | Scaffold builder |
| 711916 | Road repairer |
| 711917 | Asphalt paver |
| 711919 | Wayfarer |
| 712203 | Paver |
| 712207 | Tiler |
| 712212 | Tiler |
| 712213 | Tiler, finisher |
| 712301 | Plasterer finisher |
| 712302 | Plasterer |
| 712305 | Plasterer with decorative plaster |
| 712306 | External plasterer |
| 712307 | Installer-finisher of plasterboard partitions |
| 712401 | Insulator |
| 712402 | Boiler and pipe insulator |
| 712403 | Building heater |
| 712406 | Installer of thermal insulation of boilers and pipes |
| 712407 | Installer of thermal insulation |
| 712408 | Installer of waterproofing |
| 712602 | Pipe fitter |
| 712605 | Ship piping installer |
| 712606 | Sewer installer |
| 712610 | Pipeline jointer |
| 712611 | Pipelayer |
| 712612 | Main (main) pipelayer connector |
| 712613 | Plumber |
| 712617 | Plumbing and heating system equipment installer |
| 712619 | Installer of plumbing systems and devices |
| 712621 | Installer of domestic plumbing pipes and equipment |
| 712622 | Plumber |
| 712623 | Installer of technological pipelines and devices |
| 721206 | Welder |
| 721210 | Contact welder |
| 721212 | Electric welder |
| 721213 | Gas welder |
| 721214 | Gas and electric welder |
| 721215 | Manual electric welder |
| 721218 | Spot welder |
| 741101 | Electrician |
| 741104 | Building electrical installation electrician |
| 834108 | Mechanizer |
| 834201 | Road marking equipment operator |
| 834202 | Bulldozer driver |
| 834204 | Excavator driver |
| 834205 | Road grader and scraper driver |
| 834206 | Plentvoli machinist |
| 834213 | Ground handling equipment operator |
| 834218 | Paver operator |
| 834221 | Asphalt spreader operator |
| 834320 | Tower Crane Operator |
Industry (93 professions)
| Code | Profession |
|---|---|
| 711911 | Scaffolder |
| 712406 | Installer of thermal insulation of boilers and pipes |
| 712408 | Installer of waterproofing |
| 712602 | Pipe fitter |
| 712605 | Ship piping installer |
| 712606 | Sewer installer |
| 712610 | Pipeline jointer |
| 712611 | Pipelayer |
| 712612 | Main (main) pipelayer connector |
| 712613 | Plumber |
| 712617 | Pipeline and heating system equipment installer |
| 712622 | Plumber |
| 712623 | Installer of technological pipelines and devices |
| 713106 | Ship hull painter |
| 713202 | Painter of industrial products |
| 721206 | Welder |
| 721210 | Contact welder |
| 721212 | Electric welder |
| 721213 | Gas welder |
| 721214 | Gas and electric welder |
| 721215 | Manual electric welder |
| 721218 | Spot welder |
| 721402 | Assembler (installer) of steel structures |
| 721403 | Installer of metal structures |
| 721407 | Structural metalworker |
| 721410 | Installer of ship metal structures |
| 721411 | Steel structure shop worker |
| 721418 | Assembler of metal ship hulls |
| 721419 | Metal structure assembly locksmith |
| 722301 | Metal driller |
| 722322 | Tuner of automatic lines |
| 722324 | Wide profile machinist |
| 722329 | Software control machine operator |
| 722333 | Milling machine |
| 722342 | Operator of a metalworking machine centre |
| 722344 | Metalworking machine operator |
| 722346 | Armature Manufacturing Machine Operator |
| 722348 | Metal bending machine operator |
| 722359 | Metal Cutting Machine Operator |
| 722364 | Metal Stamping Machine Operator |
| 722367 | Tool Lathe Operator |
| 722373 | Operator of machines for the production of metal products |
| 722374 | Metal Milling Machine Operator |
| 722385 | Metal stamping press operator |
| 722396 | Automatic machine line operator |
| 723302 | Repair locksmith, locksmith repairman |
| 723310 | Industrial equipment locksmith assembler |
| 723328 | Industrial equipment mechanic |
| 723348 | Locksmith welder |
| 723351 | Ventilation and air conditioning systems locksmith |
| 723361 | Device assembly locksmith repairman |
| 731818 | Sorter of products, semi-finished products and materials |
| 741101 | Electrician |
| 741104 | Building electrical installation electrician |
| 741203 | Electrician |
| 741220 | Refrigeration and air conditioning equipment electrician |
| 751104 | Butcher |
| 751107 | Fish cutter |
| 751108 | Meat cutter |
| 751109 | Meat maker |
| 751110 | Poultry meat preparer |
| 751113 | Preparer of fish fillets |
| 751114 | Preparer of fish semi-finished products |
| 751115 | Technical raw material preparer |
| 751116 | Sausage producer |
| 751125 | Nervemaker |
| 751126 | Ripper |
| 751128 | Meat smokehouse worker |
| 751131 | Sausage workshop worker |
| 751133 | Raw material shredder (Malay) |
| 751139 | Meat cutter |
| 751201 | Baker |
| 751203 | Bread baker |
| 751234 | Packer (food industry) |
| 751239 | Preparer of semi-finished products |
| 752310 | Tuner operator of wood milling machines |
| 752319 | Woodworking machine operator |
| 752325 | Furniture manufacturing machine operator |
| 752331 | Wood product manufacturing machine operator |
| 753102 | Tailor of women’s clothes |
| 753113 | Tailor |
| 753120 | Tailor of men’s clothes |
| 753126 | Tailor |
| 753220 | Hairdresser |
| 754303 | Quality controller |
| 811224 | Stone processing plant operator |
| 815301 | Sewing Machine Operator |
| 815305 | Garment Sewing Machine Operator |
| 816005 | Fish processing plant operator |
| 816010 | Operator of meat products production facilities |
| 816040 | Bread Baking Equipment Operator |
| 816080 | Operator of the technological line for the production of food products |
| 818312 | Filling and packing machine operator |
Service (4 professions)
| Code | Profession |
|---|---|
| 413203 | Computer scientist |
| 833102 | Trolleybus driver |
| 833103 | Driver of an international passenger transport vehicle |
| 833209 | International freight transport vehicle driver |
Agriculture, forestry, fisheries (7 professions)
| Code | Profession |
|---|---|
| 611202 | Qualified fruit tree and shrub farm worker |
| 611308 | Mushroom grower |
| 611317 | Skilled horticulture worker |
| 612128 | Qualified worker of a mixed livestock farm |
| 612133 | Milking Equipment Operator |
| 834108 | Mechanizer |
| 834202 | Bulldozer driver |
Where to get the current list
- The Employment Service publishes the shortage professions list and the order approving it.
- The Migration Department handles the visa and residence permit side, and sets out which documents you need once the permit question is settled.
- The Register of Legal Acts carries the binding text of the order, in Lithuanian, if you want the exact occupation wording.
- The State Data Agency publishes the average gross wage that every salary threshold above is calculated from.
What to do next
- Find your occupation code, not your job title, and check it against the current shortage professions order.
- Check the high value added list separately, because it governs your salary threshold and your position against the quota.
- Multiply the current average gross wage by the multiplier that applies to you, and treat the result as the floor when you negotiate.
- Line up a job offer. Nothing on this route starts without one.
For the practical side of finding that offer, we have a separate guide to searching for shortage jobs in Lithuania, and you can browse shortage jobs with visa sponsorship on our job board directly.
If you are comparing countries rather than committed to Lithuania, Austria runs a similar list with a points test, Germany’s version lowers the Blue Card salary threshold instead, and Lithuania is one of 15 European countries with a work visa route. The EU Blue Card is worth understanding in any of them, because it travels in a way a national permit does not.
Last checked September 2026. The shortage professions list is approved for a single calendar year, and the salary thresholds move with the average gross wage, so confirm both before you apply.
Thank you for this information, however i have found some jobs on the shortage occupation list that but they don’t appear on the search as available. can you put me through some recruitment companies online?
thank you
Thanks for the information, the area of my interest is in medical profession. Could you kindly put me through where there’s a vacancy list, for nurses and doctors alike. I’ll like to put up an application towards this.
Thanks!
Hello, you can search for jobs here: https://shortagejobs.com/blog/how-to-search-for-shortage-jobs-in-lithuania/
I have a Msc in Environmental science & management with an architectural background…a kind of multidisciplinary background.
I could function as a graduate assistant( Research). I also do teach mathematics & technical subjects.
How do I fit into Lithuania?
DIPLOMA -ELECTRICAL ELECTRONICS.
CERTIFICATE-
COMPUTER NETWORK
COMPUTER HARDWARE.
COMPUTER INFORMATION TECH.
Need a job offer and
READY TO RELOCATE TO LITHUANIA
Hi John, you can follow this guide https://shortagejobs.com/blog/how-to-search-for-shortage-jobs-in-lithuania/
Hello, I have gone through the post and I have seen a job on the shortage occupation list I am qualified form. However, I am lost on how to apply. Kindly help with this as your urgent reply would be very much appreciated
Hello, we made a follow up post on this https://shortagejobs.com/blog/how-to-search-for-shortage-jobs-in-lithuania
Are people in the legal profession wanted even as researchers?
Dear Sir Mam
I Am interested Lithuania
I Am Work At Saudi Binladden Group ABCD Makkah Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Work.
Tower Crane Operator
6 year experience
You can follow this guide https://shortagejobs.com/blog/how-to-search-for-shortage-jobs-in-lithuania/
[…] a previous post, we discussed the shortage occupations list in Lithuania and the unique opportunity it presents for professionals to work in the country without needing a […]
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Banking jobs
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I have excellent experience in welding cutting grinding work
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Message:
Hello. I am from Uzbekistan. I have 18 years of experience in construction, mainly in bricklaying.
I saw that “Bricklayer (711202)” is listed in Lithuania’s official shortage occupation list.
I am very interested in working legally in Lithuania.
Can you help me with job offers or information about the required documents?
Name:
Kamol Mahmudov
Email:
kamolmahmudo0770@gmail.com
Telegram / WhatsApp:
+998 90 507 71 88
+998 77 311 17 79
[…] The reason to care about the codes rather than the word is that Lithuania classifies by code. If you are a spot welder, 721218 is your entry, and it is a different entry from manual electric welding. Being on the list removes the labour market test and the work permit, though not the visa or the residence permit. Full detail is in our guide to the Lithuanian shortage occupations list. […]