Estonia wins IF…
- your profile favours Estonia's specific visa requirements
Lithuania wins IF…
- your budget is tight — monthly costs from €730 vs €990
- you want more visa pathways — 14 pathways vs 9
The real answer depends on your income, savings, and profession. Get Your Free Verdict →
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric |  Estonia |  Lithuania |
|---|---|---|
| Visa Pathways | 8 | 8 |
| Cost of Living Range | €740 – €1,594/mo | €780 – €1,100/mo |
| Processing Time | 7–90 days | 7–120 days |
Visa Programs Comparison
Estonia (8 pathways)
| Program | Type | Min Income |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary Residence Permit for Employment | skilled-worker | €1,252/mo |
| EU Blue Card | skilled-worker | €2,972/mo |
| Digital Nomad Visa | digital-nomad | €4,500/mo |
| Startup Visa | entrepreneur | €800/mo |
| Temporary Residence Permit for Enterprise | self-employment | €65,000/one-time |
| Top Specialist Residence Permit | skilled-worker | €2,972/mo |
| Long-Stay Visa (Type D) | skilled-worker | €2,062/mo |
| Short-Term Employment Registration | seasonal | €2,062/mo |
Lithuania (8 pathways)
| Program | Type | Min Income |
|---|---|---|
| EU Blue Card (Lithuania) | skilled-worker | — |
| Temporary Residence — Regular Employment | skilled-worker | — |
| Startup Visa | startup | €12,456/yr |
| Investor Residence | investor | €12,456/yr |
| Seasonal Worker | seasonal | — |
| Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) | intra-company-transfer | — |
| Remote Work / Digital Nomad (Financially Independent) | digital-nomad | €12,456/yr |
| Post-Study Work Permit | graduate | €12,456/yr |
Cost of Living Side-by-Side
Estonia
Lithuania
Professions Compared
Estonia
| Profession | Salary |
|---|---|
| Software Engineer | €3,587/mo |
| AI Engineer | €3,093/mo |
| Doctor | €3,866/mo |
| Dentist | €3,093/mo |
| Data Analyst | €2,704/mo |
Lithuania
| Profession | Salary |
|---|---|
| Software Engineer | €3,883/mo |
| Data Analyst | €3,155/mo |
| Accountant | €2,669/mo |
| Civil Engineer | €2,912/mo |
| Doctor | €5,339/mo |
Who Should Choose Estonia
- Wide choice of visa pathways (8 programs)
- Affordable cost of living (from €740/mo)
Who Should Choose Lithuania
- Wide choice of visa pathways (8 programs)
- Affordable cost of living (from €780/mo)
- High earning potential (up to €5,339/mo)
Find your best visa pathway
Take our free 3-minute quiz and get matched with programmes that fit your profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Estonia or Lithuania better for immigration?
Estonia has 8 visa pathways on record and Lithuania has 8. Which one suits you depends on your nationality, budget and family situation — the tables above show the requirements for each route, and the free quiz gives a verdict on your profile.
Which is cheaper to live in, Estonia or Lithuania?
Estonia cost of living: €740 – €1,594/mo. Lithuania: €780 – €1,100/mo.
Does Estonia or Lithuania have more visa pathways?
Estonia has 8 active visa pathways; Lithuania has 8.
Is it easier to get permanent residency in Estonia or Lithuania?
Both countries offer PR pathways. Processing times and requirements differ. Check the visa programs comparison above.
Can I work remotely in Estonia or Lithuania?
Both countries offer digital nomad or remote work visas.
Not sure between Estonia and Lithuania?
Get a side-by-side comparison report matched to your profile, qualifications, and budget.
Get Your Free VerdictSources: OECD (2026), World Bank Open Data, official government immigration portals. Full methodology
Official sources
Estonia
- Digital Nomad Visa — e-resident.gov.ee — last re-checked 2026-06-21
- Temporary Residence Permit for Intra-Company Transfer — home-affairs.ec.europa.eu — last re-checked 2026-06-24
- Residence Permit for Employment — politsei.ee — last re-checked 2026-06-24
Lithuania
- Nacionalinė viza — migracija.lt — last re-checked 2026-06-24
- Intra-corporate transferee (ICT) in Lithuania — home-affairs.ec.europa.eu — last re-checked 2026-06-24
- EU Blue Card in Lithuania — home-affairs.ec.europa.eu — last re-checked 2026-06-24
Figures are compiled from official government sources and re-checked on a rolling basis. Always confirm on the official page before applying.