Lithuania has officially confirmed the number of foreign workers it will allow to enter the country for employment in 2025. The new quota is set at 24,830 workers, which is noticeably lower compared to the previous years. The government said this decision was made after carefully reviewing the country’s labour market needs and the economic situation.
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The Ministry of Interior announced that the quota applies only to newly arriving third-country nationals, meaning people from non-EU/EEA countries who want to work in Lithuania next year. Although the quota is still high, the authorities believe the labour shortages are not as severe as before, so fewer workers are needed.
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Details of Lithuania Foreign Worker Quota
| Approved quota for 2025 | 24,830 foreign workers |
| Compared to previous years | Lower |
| Applies to | Newly arriving third-country nationals |
| New population rule | Quota must not exceed 1.4% of population (~40,000 people) |
| Sector-based quota | Removed from 2025 |
| Salary rule after quota is filled | Employers must pay 1.2× national average wage |
| Skilled shortage sectors | Must pay at least average wage |
| Related update | Switzerland will admit 8,500 skilled workers in 2025 |
Key Takeaways
- Lithuania has set the 2025 foreign worker quota at 24,830.
- The new quota is lower than previous years.
- Authorities approved the number after reviewing labour market demands.
- From 2025, the quota must not exceed 1.4% of Lithuania’s permanent population.
- Once the quota is used up, employers must pay higher-than-average wages to hire foreigners.
- The quota will no longer be divided by economic sectors.
Why Lithuania Reduced the 2025 Foreign Worker Quota
Lithuania has been welcoming large numbers of foreign workers in recent years. However, the Ministry of Social Security and Labour advised the government to reduce the quota for 2025. According to authorities, the labour shortages in Lithuania have eased, and employers are now able to find more local workers for many positions.
Another major factor is the government’s new policy for regulating immigration numbers more strictly. Lithuania wants to ensure that the number of incoming workers remains balanced with the country’s population and economy.
New Rule: Quota Must Not Exceed 1.4% of Population
Starting in 2025, Lithuania has introduced an important rule. The total number of foreign workers allowed each year must not exceed 1.4% of the country’s permanent population. For Lithuania, this equals around 40,000 people.
The quota set for 2025 (24,830 workers) is comfortably below this upper limit, showing the government’s intention to keep migration under stronger control.
Authorities also said that the quota system will not be divided by industry sectors anymore. This means employers from any industry can hire workers until the national quota is fully used.
What Happens After the Quota Is Filled?
If Lithuanian employers still want to hire foreign workers after the quota is finished, they will have to offer higher salaries. The Ministry explained that:
- Employers must pay at least 1.2 times the national average wage to hire foreign workers after the quota is used up.
- Foreign professionals working in sectors facing shortages must be paid at least the average national salary.
This measure ensures that only high-skill and high-value workers are recruited beyond the quota and that Lithuanian workers are not disadvantaged.Comparison with Other Countries
Lithuania is not the only European country adjusting labour migration numbers for 2025. Switzerland also announced its foreign worker quota for next year. However, the Swiss quota applies only to skilled workers from third countries. Switzerland will allow 8,500 foreign specialists to enter the country in 2025.
This shows a wider European trend where countries are becoming more selective, focusing on skilled labour and controlling immigration more tightly.
Final Thoughts
Lithuania’s decision to set a lower quota for 2025 shows that the country is stabilising its labour market. While foreign workers will still play an important role in supporting Lithuanian industries, the government now aims to ensure more balanced and controlled migration. The new rules, especially the salary requirements after the quota is filled, also encourage employers to offer better working conditions and focus on hiring skilled professionals.
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