Lithuania has made an important decision regarding the use of its official language in the daily lives of its population. The measure, which will come into effect in January, will affect not only citizens of the country but also foreigners who work directly in public service, who will have to adjust to meet the new language requirements for their jobs.
What will the new rules be for everyday service operations in Lithuania?
This initiative aims to ensure that basic services are provided in the national language, in an effort that seeks to value the country’s local culture and identity. The greatest impact will be felt by those who live or intend to work in the country; therefore, it is important to understand how this change will occur. How will this new law affect the lives of foreigners living in Lithuania and working in commerce?
The country’s government has approved a rule that seems basic, but will impact the entire territory. Proficiency in the Lithuanian language will be mandatory for foreigners working in the trade and service sectors. This rule applies to those who sell products or directly serve customers in establishments such as shops, restaurants, hotels, and other everyday services.
The implementation of this new regulation will occur in different stages. In the first two years of legal residency, the goal is to require proficiency at level A1, considered the basic level of the language. After this initial period, Lithuanian retail workers will need to demonstrate proficiency at level A2 to continue working in the sector, impacting not only permanent workers but also seasonal workers who deal directly with the public.
This proposal was developed by the country’s Ministry of Education, Science, and Sport, which has estimated that around 94,000 people may be impacted, especially commerce workers. The central objective of this proposal is to ensure that customers are served in Lithuanian, a way to strengthen the presence of the language in the public sphere.
What does it mean in practice for workers to have an A1 level of Lithuanian?
Level A1 represents the first functional contact people will have with the language. At this learning level, it is already possible to understand simple everyday expressions, give basic presentations, and even answer direct questions, especially those related to personal information, but the conversation still needs to be slow and clear.
The idea is a learning process that integrates people, not excludes them
According to the Lithuanian government, this new requirement for the local language is not intended to exclude foreigners from the job market. The idea is that this will be a tool to further stimulate social and cultural integration, helping residents feel part of the community. Even so, universities and local experts have already warned that this adaptation will require adequate educational support, since many foreigners do not have proficiency in the language.
One of the positive aspects of this new rule is that not all foreigners will need to comply with it. People under temporary protection in Lithuania, including Ukrainian citizens, will be exempt from this language requirement to maintain their jobs or self-employment. This adaptation of the law, which functions as a form of protection, has been extended until 2027, maintaining differentiated treatment for vulnerable groups.
Practical challenges and impact on the education system
Lithuania’s new law on the local language comes into effect for all citizens on January 1. This initiative marks an important shift in the country’s integration policy, going beyond a bureaucratic rule and becoming a transformative agent in the relationship between immigration and national identity. For foreigners, language is an important tool for permanence and inclusion.
