Vilnius Named Best CEE City for Investor Service

Vilnius has received a prestigious international award for the best post-investment support system for foreign investors at the 14th Central and Eastern European Business Services Awards (CEE Business Services Awards). These are among the most important awards in Europe’s business services sector and are held annually in Warsaw.

“Today, Vilnius is one of the most vibrant innovation capitals in Europe and the largest hub for innovation and global business services in the Baltic region. The city is home to more than 280 rapidly growing FinTech companies, while 72 global service centers employ over 27,000 specialists. The value of the technology sector has reached €15.5 billion. We can be proud of a competitive technology city that not only attracts foreign investment but also creates excellent conditions for it to grow and expand,” says Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas.

In the final round, 82 companies and cities competed across 24 categories, with winners selected based on the combined votes of a 29-member international jury and event participants. This recognition confirms Vilnius’ leadership in strategically supporting existing investors and strengthens the city’s reputation as a reliable, mature, and competitive investment environment in the region.

“Over the past two years, international companies operating in Vilnius have created more than 1,630 new jobs through expansion projects – more than 900 positions in 2023 and over 730 in 2024. This shows that the city’s growth is primarily driven by trust – by decisions of companies already operating here to expand their activities,” says Dovilė Aleksandravičienė, Head of the Vilnius city business and tourism development agency Go Vilnius.

Some investors exceeded their initial plans when expanding their operations and created more jobs than originally expected at the establishment stage – a clear indication that the investor aftercare system is working effectively. “In 2023–2024, more than 1,480 new and expansion-related jobs were announced in the business services sector, and Vilnius attracts around 70–80% of all investment projects in this sector. Our goal is to create an environment where investors not only start operations but also see clear, long-term growth prospects,” says Aleksandravičienė.

For Vilnius, the business services, information technology, and high-tech sectors are strategic directions for long-term growth, and the city operates according to a clearly defined and continuous investor support model. In Vilnius, investment attraction is not treated as a one-time process – companies that choose Lithuania have clear and continuous access to national and city institutions throughout their operations. Invest Lithuania ensures structured investor aftercare focused on risk prevention, resolving strategic issues, and identifying expansion opportunities, while Go Vilnius acts as the city-level partner responsible for strengthening the business ecosystem, activating it, and providing operational support in addressing practical issues. This two-level model provides investors with a predictable advisory system and smooth integration – from establishment to further stages of expansion.

The capital relies on a strong and growing talent base, with more than 70,000 IT specialists and 94,000 business and finance professionals. Expertise in anti-money laundering and artificial intelligence is also rapidly strengthening, while the city’s priorities remain clear: growth opportunities, operational speed, and stability. This combination of factors – a skilled labor market and consistent institutional attention to companies already operating in the city – reduces operational risk and increases the likelihood of expansion decisions.

In 2025, Go Vilnius strengthened its foreign investor aftercare model by engaging international experts. Vilnius hosted 18 international site selection consultants who worked together with operating companies and public sector representatives to address issues related to talent attraction, regulation, the implementation of artificial intelligence, and operational organization.

This international recognition demonstrates that Vilnius today competes not only in terms of operational speed or talent availability, but also in its ability to build long-term partnerships and maintain accessible institutions. The city continues to strengthen its position as the most reliable business services and technology hub in Central and Eastern Europe – a place where investments grow together with the city.