Moving from the US or Canada to the Baltics: cost of living and residence

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia attract a steady stream of Americans and Canadians: remote workers, founders, people joining tech companies and families with roots in the region. The appeal is often a mix of lower costs, a European base and a high quality of life. This guide looks at what official data says about costs, how income is taxed, and the main residence routes. It is general information, not personal tax or immigration advice.

What “cheaper” really means

Eurostat publishes a price level index for household consumption, which compares what the same basket of goods and services costs in each EU country. The EU average is 100. For 2025, Eurostat gives:

• Lithuania: 82.8
• Latvia: 83.2
• Estonia: 101.2
• Germany: 108.3
• Ireland: 136.2

So everyday prices in Lithuania and Latvia were about 17% below the EU average in 2025, while Estonia was about at the average. Eurostat’s index covers consumer prices only. It is not adjusted for income, and it does not tell you about salaries or about rent in a specific city. Prices also vary between cities, so look at local listings for the places you are considering.

If you will keep a North American income while living in the Baltics, lower prices go further. If you will take a local job, compare the full package, including local pay, not prices alone.

How income is taxed

Lithuania. According to Invest Lithuania, personal income tax in 2026 is 20% on annual income up to €82,962, 25% above that, and 32% on annual income over €138,270. Employees also contribute 19.5% of gross salary to social security. Invest Lithuania adds that, as of 2026, a primary residence is exempt from property tax up to a value of €450,000.

Estonia. The Estonian Ministry of Finance gives a personal income tax rate of 22% of taxable income, with employment income withheld at 22%.

Your home country. Americans should note that the IRS taxes US citizens on worldwide income wherever they live. Many Americans abroad can reduce double taxation through the foreign earned income exclusion or the foreign tax credit, but only by filing a US return, and foreign bank accounts above the threshold must be reported on an FBAR. Canadians should read the Canada Revenue Agency’s guidance on leaving Canada, which explains when you stop being tax resident and the tax consequences of emigrating.

Tax treaties, timing and where your income comes from all matter. Get advice from qualified tax advisers in both countries before you move.

Visiting first

Americans and Canadians can visit the Schengen area, which includes Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, without a visa. The Government of Canada’s travel advice notes that visa-free travel only applies to stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, counted across all Schengen countries. A visit is a good way to see a city in different seasons, meet employers or partners and look at housing before committing. It does not let you live or work there.

Residence routes

To live in a Baltic country, you need a national visa or residence permit. The main routes are:

Work. If a local employer hires you, it usually needs permission first. In Lithuania, the EU Immigration Portal explains that the employer registers the vacancy with the Employment Service and applies for a work permit or labour market decision, issued within 7 working days. You can then get a national long-term visa for up to a year and apply for a temporary residence permit. For highly qualified roles, the EU Blue Card is another option.

Start a company. Lithuania’s Startup Visa programme, run by Startup Lithuania, is for innovative founders from outside the EU. A successful applicant gets a confirmation letter supporting a visa and temporary residence permit application, valid for two years with a possibility to extend to five. Family members can apply too.

Remote work. If you work for a company or clients outside Estonia, its digital nomad visa allows you to live there and work remotely for up to a year. The official e-Residency FAQ gives the income threshold as €4,500 a month before tax, and notes that staying more than 183 days in a 12-month period makes you an Estonian tax resident. It is a visa, not a residence permit.

Family. Spouses, partners and children can often join a family member who holds a residence permit, under each country’s family rules.

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia each have their own immigration authority and rules, so check the route with the right authority or a qualified immigration lawyer. No one can guarantee a residence permit.

Practical first steps after arrival

Each country has its own procedures, but in Lithuania, for example, the EU Immigration Portal notes that:

• you need proof of accommodation where you intend to declare residence
• you need health insurance as part of your application
• once you receive a temporary residence permit, you must declare your place of residence
• after five years of continuous, legal residence you can apply for permanent residence, which includes tests on basic Lithuanian and the Lithuanian Constitution

Plan for bank accounts, health cover and school places for children early, as these often take the longest.

Is it right for you?

A move works best when the numbers, the route and the life all fit. Visit in different seasons, talk to people who have made the move, budget for the first year in detail, and confirm your residence route before you sell or give up anything at home.

How Mavericks Settle helps

Mavericks Settle guides professionals, founders and families through moving to Lithuania and other EU countries: the right residency route for you, paperwork and applications, bank accounts and first steps, finding a home and settling in. Legal steps are handled by our regulated partner law firms.