Hello everyone, I decided to write an article about how I started my business in Lithuania.
I was going to produce soy products, for a start - tofu cheese. The topic is familiar because a similar direction was in Belarus, but there I worked in the implementation, and now I try myself in production. I dug up some money and sold the apartment I inherited, so there was start-up capital.
Lithuania is well suited because the conditions for doing business are acceptable, the scale of the country provides a good launching pad and an opportunity to evaluate its strength, and all this is located in close proximity to the former home - Belarus.
Step one: buying an apartment in Lithuania.
I started by looking for a company that could help create a business. I looked on the Internet, read the reviews of different people who already had experience in doing business and obtaining a residence permit. It turned out that many companies offer to register a person on a living space or buy a legal address, then register a business and, on this basis, go ask for a residence permit. I understand that apparently such companies have some acquaintances who prescribe people for money. Previously, such apartments could have a dozen tenants, received cards, and a year later there were problems with the extension.
Now it’s more difficult - with a change in the legislation, everyone needs 14 meters, but they still invent some left-wing schemes. It was important for me that in front of the new state I had a transparent and clean history. By the way, on my first visit to Migration, I was asked if I was in my apartment, how it looks and what is nearby. So, given the low prices for apartments in Lithuania, it is better to buy your own housing than to look for someone who will register for yourself.
Prices for apartments in Lithuania are really very low. If you do not take into account Vilnius, Kaunas and other large cities where a dvushka costs from € 30-50 thousand. At such prices, a lot of Soviet housing was offered in such small cities as New Okmyany or Visaginas. True, recently, prices have been rising, the market is rising, and apartments are becoming more expensive.
Low real estate prices in Lithuania are more than offset by the costs of the "communal". In winter, when they start to heat, and the central heating cannot be turned off, monthly you have to give 250-500 litas (€ 75-150) for an average 50-meter apartment. Plus water, electricity, and gas on the meter.
Step two: register a business in Lithuania.
Business in Lithuania can also be formalized by proxy. It is necessary to register it in advance, but it is impossible to conduct business until obtaining a residence permit: only preliminary agreements.
In Lithuania, many types of legal entities are common, but the most acceptable seemed to me UAB. The authorized capital of such a company must be at least 10 thousand litas (€ 2.9 thousand). If the creators are applying for a residence permit, this capital increases to 50 thousand litas (€ 14.5 thousand), but not for the whole company, but for each shareholder. Another condition: you need to hire employees in three positions, but not immediately, but over time.
The salary of my employees is slightly more than the Lithuanian minimum salary, 450 euros. About half of the salary is spent on taxes - social, medical and pension insurance. Total expenses in the company for three - at least about € 1350 per month and these are only salaries. Income tax in Lithuania is 5%, but if you receive dividends, then the tax on them is already 15%.
Step Three: Obtaining a residence permit in Lithuania.
Documents for residence permit containing confirmation that there is, where to live and that the business is open, are handed over to the Department of Migration at the place of residence (that is, in the city where the property was purchased). At the same time, officials are provided with a business plan. The standard review procedure lasts 4 months, and the expedited - 2, but it is 2 times more expensive. A good option for those who are eager to start a real business.
At the filing of documents, the applicant fills out many forms, including a questionnaire, by which it immediately becomes clear why the person came. For example, there is a question about whether the applicant really needs a residence permit and why he does not have enough time to stay in Lithuania provided for by D.
You can still submit documents in Minsk to the Lithuanian Embassy, but then the deadline will be 4 months and the process cannot be accelerated.
What is a residence permit in Lithuania and what does it eat with?
A residence permit is granted for a period of one year with the right to renew. If my company shows good performance and pays all taxes, the second time they can give a residence permit right away for 2 years - in recognition of merit. After 5 years, you can apply for permanent residence, but as I heard, you need to pass an exam or an interview for language skills, there is one more condition for obtaining permanent residence in Lithuania: over the past five years, you can not conduct outside the country for more than 10 months ... The state Allows you to relax from yourself somewhere on the southern shores of only 2 months a year.
In general, I am pleased with the situation and the development of my business, such a story came out.