Moving to Lithuania with kids? Learn everything you need about Lithuania’s schooling system

One of the first considerations if you are relocating to a new country with your family is where your children go to school. As a 2024 OECD report on education has pointed out, against the backdrop of a labor market where families are increasingly willing to relocate abroad for work opportunities, there has never been a greater need for flexible high quality education options. Indeed, this is backed up by statistics published by ISC Research, which shows that the number of international schools globally has now exceeded 14,000.

And if you’re considering a new destination for you and your family, Lithuania has much to offer. After all, as a small country it has already bred some big brands, we’re talking here of companies like Vinted and Nord VPN. Not only that, it is an EU leader in Fintech, boasting such names as Robinhood and Revolut, and it has a thriving start-up scene. It’s also a star when it comes to work-life balance, ranking high for Happiness and Quality of Life.

So, it ticks the boxes for opportunities and lifestyle, but what about education, especially for your little ones? Let’s take a look.

The Lithuanian School system at a glance

For the young ones

Non-compulsory pre-school education is available both publicly and privately for children up to 6 years old. As regards the public system, everything can be conveniently managed via an online platform that opens annually. Meanwhile, the wealth of private options on offer, some of which are available with English as the language of tuition, can be contacted. Parents looking for Montessori or Waldorf kindergartens will also find themselves catered for.

To give an idea of how convenient and comprehensive the kindergarten offering is we can look to the capital Vilnius. It offers preschool coverage with 125 kindergartens, 12 kindergarten-schools, and 28 schools with preschool programs serving children aged 1-6. Parents can secure their child’s placement through a single online portal with automatic translation, eliminating the need to visit individual facilities and allowing applications to multiple kindergartens simultaneously. Applications are accepted year-round except during the crucial March 11-31 period when kindergartens compile their September enrollment lists and finalize group assignments (March 18-31).

Here’s what Jonathon Rolland, Localisation Lead at Cybernews, a news organization dedicated to the tech field that’s headquartered in Vilnius has to say:

“I was a bit sceptical about public schools when I arrived, but when the time came for our daughter to go, I was very positively surprised by kindergartens in Lithuania, and the overall quality of the public education system here: great level of attention and care, modern education methods, variety of activities offered (sports, science, initiation to foreign language), an active parents community, dynamic learning environment, regular evaluations of the child’s psychomotor development, balanced and well thought-out diet.”

For school-age children

Lithuania provides free, compulsory education for children ages 6-16. The system is divided into three main phases: 4 years of primary school (ages 6-11), followed by 6 years of middle/lower secondary education (ages 10-17), and finishing with 2 years of upper secondary education (ages 16-19).

During the middle school years, students follow a primarily academic curriculum and work toward their Certificate of Lower Secondary Education. In the final two years of secondary school, students can choose between continuing with general academic education at gymnasiums or lyceums, or switching to vocational training at technological schools for more practical, job-focused preparation. For students looking to pursue an academic path, lyceums provide a broader, and deeper curriculum, while gymnasiums are generally more focused on preparing students to pass their state and class exams.

So, as you can see, the system is fairly comprehensive, and caters for all kinds of students. But so far the discussion has been focused on education provided in Lithuanian.

International Baccalaureate schools are available for those seeking globally recognised qualifications. Students can switch between academic and vocational tracks, and the strong academic foundation prepares children well for university admission both locally and internationally. All state education is free, making it an attractive option for expat families in tech and professional roles.

And if you would prefer a private option there’s lots to choose from. In the capital Vilnius, for example, you’ll find British and American schools, with institutions like the newly opened Vilnius campus of the prestigious Royal Russell School, which also offers boarding options. Private school options start at around EUR 3,500 to EUR 4,000 per term for middle/lower secondary.

Getting your kids enrolled is as easy as 1,2,3

Although most enrollment procedures can be handled online, it’s always good to have a helping hand. International House is a special government initiative that’s been set up to provide free and comprehensive advice and support for all things relocation-related. And that includes enrollment. They will not only get you acquainted with the ins and outs of the system, but provide practical help with the process itself.

You’ll also find that your employer will help with getting you set up. Take, for example, the case of Aristotle Pangan, a Test Engineering Team Leader at Continental in Kaunas, whose company helped him with settling in. After some deliberation, he eventually went with a local kindergarten for his two small children, both of whom were born in Lithuania:

“We decided to put them into a state kindergarten because it’s important for us that the kids are properly integrated into the community. I’m embarrassed to admit that their Lithuanian is better than ours now.”

A brighter future for your kids in Lithuania

Lithuania has a solid track record when it comes to preparing your children for a worthwhile career. The statistics speak for themselves. Around 42% of students in higher education programmes choose STEM-related subjects. The fact that kids are primed and eager for a future in tech should come as no surprise when you consider that Lithuania is ranked for digital skills availability. The country is also home to one of the region’s most renowned technical universities, Kaunas Technology University.

Education that’s free, flexible and future-focused

So, if you’re coming to Lithuania, you needn’t worry about your kids’ education. Quality free education is available and enrollment is not a headache. And with the country’s focus on STEM you’ll have the safety of knowing that your child will be prepared for tomorrow’s working world.