Employment Contracts in Lithuania

What it is

An employment contract is a written agreement between you and your employer that sets out the terms of your work. In Lithuania, the Labour Code requires that the contract be written and signed before you begin work — not after.

What the contract must contain

Under Lithuanian law, an employment contract must generally include:

• Full names and details of the employer and employee
• Your job title and main duties
• Your place of work
• Your wage (rate, currency, and when it will be paid)
• Your working hours and rest time
• The start date of employment
• The duration — whether the contract is permanent (indefinite) or fixed-term, and if fixed-term, when it ends
• Notice period and grounds for termination

The contract must be written in Lithuanian or in a language you can understand, or a translation must be provided.

Your basic rights

Regardless of what the contract says (or does not say), Lithuanian law gives you certain minimum rights:

• The right to receive at least the national minimum wage
• The right to rest breaks, daily and weekly rest, and paid annual leave (at least 20 working days per year in general)
• The right to safe working conditions
• The right to social insurance registration from day one
• The right not to be dismissed without lawful grounds and proper notice

Any contract term that tries to take away these rights is not legally valid, even if you signed it.

What to do if you have no written contract

Working without a written contract is illegal — and the responsibility lies with the employer, not you. If you started work without a signed contract:

• Your employment relationship is still recognised in law if there is evidence you worked (see the "Unpaid Salary" guide for examples of evidence).
• You can ask your employer for a contract in writing at any time.
• You can report the absence of a contract to the State Labour Inspectorate (VDI), which can order the employer to formalise the relationship and pay any owed social contributions.

Before you sign

Take time to read the contract carefully before signing. Things to watch for:

• Is your wage clearly stated? Is it the amount you were verbally promised?
• Are your hours reasonable? Are overtime rules clear?
• Does it mention probation? How long is the probation period?
• What are the grounds and notice period for ending the contract?

If anything is unclear or you feel pressured to sign immediately, you have the right to ask for time to review. A legal aid adviser or trade union can help you understand the terms.

What to do next

• If your employer refuses to give you a written contract, contact the VDI — filing a complaint is free.
• Keep a signed copy of your contract in a safe place at home (not just at work).

Where to get help

The State Labour Inspectorate (VDI) enforces labour law and can be contacted via vdi.lt. Legal aid centres, trade unions, and migrant support NGOs can also help you understand your contract rights.