Lithuania to introduce e-residency to foreigners

The Lithuanian government approved on Tuesday the legislation introducing e-residency status to foreigners based on the Estonian example.

E-residency status, providing the foreigners with digital identity, would open an online access to Lithuania's public and commercial services, such as opening a bank account, establishing a company or submitting a tax declaration.

E-residency would improve business environment and attract foreign companies to Lithuania, believes Eimutis Misiunas, the country's Interior Minister.

"Introduction of e-residency would allow faster and more convenient exchange of data, of course, not putting safety aside," Misiunas was quoted in a statement.

"It would also help develop more convenient digital services," said Misiunas.

The interior ministry says the application procedure for e-residency status in Lithuania handled by the country's migration department would be "simple and quick".

By introducing e-residency status, Lithuania, the Baltic state with a population of around 3 million, follows the example of neighboring Estonia.

The Lithuanian government plans to introduce e-residency as of 2021.

The amendments introducing e-residency in Lithuania are subject to the parliamentary approval.