Essentials
- City
- Šiauliai, Šiauliai County, Lithuania
- Population
- 104,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 120 Mbps (Fiber optic is standard; Lithuania has some of the fastest public Wi-Fi in Europe)
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (€). 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks: SEB, Swedbank, Luminor
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and of high quality (underground water sources)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets
- SIM Card
- Telia, Tele2, Labas (Bitė). Prepaid SIMs available at Maxima or Narvesen for ~€5
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut (widely used), Swedbank, SEB. Google/Apple Pay accepted everywhere
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local site Aruodas.lt
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards and contactless payments are accepted in 98% of locations
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (~€40-60/night) or short-term flats via Aruodas.lt
- Budget Accommodation
- Turnė Guesthouse (Rygos g. 2A) - Approx. €25/night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- City Center (near Vilniaus gatvė boulevard)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Centras or the area near Centrinis Parkas for a mix of amenities and quiet
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Šiauliai State Data Center / Spiečius (Vilniaus g. 213) - Specialized hub for SMEs and nomads
- Best Cafe for Work
- Caffeine LT (Vilniaus g. 146) - Reliable Wi-Fi, power outlets, and central
- Networking Events
- Business events organized by Šiauliai Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts
- Social Events for Expats
- Foreigners in Šiauliai Facebook group; events at the Šiauliai Cultural Center
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bolt (Most reliable and affordable in the city)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bolt Scooters (Central Šiauliai), CityBee (Car sharing)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Palanga Beach (approx. 2 hours / 150 km west)
- Top Regional Airline
- AirBaltic (via Riga, 1.5 hours away)
- Top International Airline
- Ryanair, Wizz Air (via Kaunas or Vilnius airports)
- Highway Access
- A12 (part of E77) connecting Riga to Kaliningrad, and A1 connecting to Vilnius/Klaipėda nearby
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Šiauliai Railway Station (Dubijos g. 44)
- Public Transport Passes
- Šiauliai Bus Card (Busų bilietas) - ~€0.50 per ride; monthly pass ~€24
- Regional Travel
- LTG Link (Trains to Vilnius/Kaunas), Kautra/Busturas (Buses)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Respublikinė Šiaulių Ligoninė (V. Kudirkos g. 99)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Studija 'Jogos medis' (Varpo g. 27)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gym+ (Tilžės g. 109) - 24/7 access, ~€19.90/month
- Laundry Services
- Savavitė (Self-service laundry, Žemaitės g. 22)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Bolt Food, Wolt
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Cepelinai (Potato dumplings) at 'Bernelių Užeiga' (Saulės m. 15)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Valerijonas Tea House (Vilniaus g. 173) - Heritage pharmacy with vegetarian food
- Best Dessert Spots
- Rūta Chocolate Museum Cafe (Tilžės g. 133)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Centrinis turgus (Šiauliai Central Market), Maxima, Lidl
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Pigu.lt, Barbora.lt (grocery), Amazon.de (ships to LT)
- Grocery Delivery
- Barbora, LastMile
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Vilniaus Street (The pedestrian boulevard)
- Local Brewery
- Gubernija (One of the oldest breweries in the world)
- Wine Bars
- Vyno kluonas (P. Višinskio g. 10)
- Street Food Stalls
- Kebabinn (various locations), Saulės Miestas food court
- Popular International Cuisine
- Casa de la Luna (Mexican/International, Vilniaus g. 116)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Hill of Crosses (Kryžių kalnas) - 12km north of the city
- Museums & Art Venues
- Photography Museum (Vilniaus g. 140), Chaimas Frenkelis Villa
- Historical Sites
- The Sundial Square (Saulės laikrodžio aikštė)
- Religious Sites
- St. Peter and Paul's Cathedral (Aušros tak. 3)
- Annual Events
- Šiauliai City Days (Šiaulių dienos) in September
- Cultural Districts
- The pedestrian boulevard (Vilniaus g.)
- Theater Venues
- Šiauliai State Drama Theater (Tilžės g. 155)
- Local Markets
- Šiauliai Central Market (Dvaro g. 64)
- Music Scene
- Saulė Concert Hall (Tilžės g. 140)
- Street Art
- The 'Iron Fox' sculpture and murals near Talša Lake
- Cooking Classes
- Chocolate making workshops at Rūta Museum
- Art Galleries
- Laiptai Gallery (Žemaitės g. 83)
- Historic Buildings
- Venclauskiai House (Vytauto g. 89)
- Local Heritage
- Didždvaris Estate (Dvaro g.)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Lake Talša and the surrounding park trails
- National Parks Nearby
- Žemaitija National Park (approx. 1 hour drive)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Loop around Lake Talša and Lake Ginkūnai
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Kryžių kalnas (Hill of Crosses) or the Cathedral Tower
- Birdwatching Locations
- Rėkyva Lake (South of the city)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated picnic areas at Bubiai Reservoir (15km away)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- LP Express, Omniva, DPD (Lockers are everywhere)
- Tech Repair Services
- MTTC (Tilžės g. 112)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Šiauliai Sports Center 'Dubysa'
- Language Classes
- Šiauliai University / Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Šiauliai County Povilas Višinskis Public Library (Aušros al. 62)
- Community Centers
- Šiauliai Cultural Center (Aušros al. 31)
- Gaming Lounges
- Top Sport & local gaming cafes in Saulės Miestas
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Olympic Casino (Tilžės g. 109)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €1,600 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €48,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,100 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €33,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €1,500 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €75,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €50,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €1,400 per m² (e.g., 70 m² = €98,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €900 per m² (e.g., 70 m² = €63,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 15% standard (5% for small companies with <10 employees and <€300k revenue)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15%
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents; flat tax elements
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 20% (Standard), 32% for very high income
- VAT
- 21%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, EU-aligned CFC legislation
- Property Tax
- 0.3% to 3% for commercial; 0% to 1% for residential above €150,000
- Property Transaction Tax
- Notary fees + registration (~1% total)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Low company tax (5%) for small ventures; fixed income tax of 15% for self-employed 'Individual Activity'