From Opportunity to Home: Why Foreigners Are Putting Down Roots in Vilnius

Vilnius is attracting global talent in unexpected ways. For many foreigners, a short-term opportunity – a volunteering programme, a teaching placement, or a professional assignment – can evolve into something far more lasting: love, family, and a thriving career.

Vilnius has long drawn international students, creatives, and professionals. Survey data from Go Vilnius, the city’s official business and tourism development agency, show that more than half of foreigners relocate to the city seeking job and study opportunities. Yet many stay far longer than initially planned: two-thirds of respondents have lived in Vilnius for two to five years, while 22% have remained even longer, suggesting that what begins as a temporary move often becomes something more permanent.

Spanish musician Sandra Carrillo has found in Vilnius the space to develop both professionally and personally. The city has given her room to explore new musical directions, work with fellow artists, and grow within a vibrant cultural scene.

“Living here has been an amazing experience,” Carrillo says. “Although the city is not very big, it offers everything I need, with a vibrant cultural life full of concerts, festivals, and events. In Vilnius, I have been able to collaborate with other musicians and grow as an artist.”

Carrillo first arrived in Lithuania for what was meant to be an eight-month volunteering programme in Klaipėda, planning to stay less than a year. While working in a library, however, she met her future husband. What began as a short-term cultural experience gradually evolved into a shared life, eventually bringing the couple to Vilnius.

Vilnius currently hosts more than 78,000 foreign residents from over 140 countries, a number that has more than doubled in recent years. Many are drawn by career opportunities, particularly in fast-growing sectors such as technology, where international professionals make up a significant share of the workforce. At the same time, the city’s relatively compact size, access to nature, and lower living costs compared with many Western European capitals are often cited by newcomers as reasons for staying.

After completing a teaching placement in Mongolia, Bernard Meyer considered returning to Miami but instead decided to visit the Lithuanian capital. Nearly 14 years later, he has built an international career as AI Operations Manager at the email marketing startup Omnisend, and is raising two daughters in the city with his wife, whom he met at a university alumni event during that first visit.

“Vilnius has changed dramatically over the years,” Meyer shares. “There is a wealth of career opportunities here, and the tech community is incredibly forward-thinking. Overall, I’ve only seen a city growing in the right direction.”

As Vilnius’ international community has grown, the city has expanded its integration infrastructure to match. International House Vilnius – part of Go Vilnius – was established as a one-stop platform to help newcomers navigate practical aspects of relocating, from migration and taxation to employment and social security. Since its launch, it has assisted around 50,000 people moving to Lithuania from abroad.

The country’s growing innovation sector has helped attract and retain global talent. In 2025, the total enterprise value of Lithuanian startups reached approximately €16.4 billion ($18.6 billion), with companies attracting around €220 million ($250 million) in venture capital from 77 investors. Startups based in Vilnius alone raised about €212 million ($240 million)  during the same period, while the capital’s ecosystem was valued at roughly €15.5 billion ($17.6 billion). Across Lithuania, more than 1,100 tech startups are active, contributing to a rapidly expanding job market and creating more opportunities for international specialists.

With tens of thousands of foreigners now calling the city home, stories like Sandra’s and Bernard’s show that, for many international residents, Vilnius is more than a short-term stop – it is a city where love, family, and career converge, making short-term visits the start of long-term chapters.