17th December 2025
People who have moved to Lithuania from other countries face discrimination, the consequences of which include living in poorly maintained housing, higher rental prices, and increasing social exclusion. Most often, people do not report these experiences to anyone. This was revealed by a study conducted by the Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson.
Even if they are accepted, they are required to pay more
The study showed that foreigners living in Lithuania often face an additional financial burden in the housing rental market: they are charged a higher rental price than indicated in the advertisement, asked for a larger security deposit, or charged higher rates for utilities after moving in. According to study participants, such price changes are usually not justified, and if they express doubt or inquire about the reasons, the landlords refuse to explain or suggest they look for another place.
“I was offered a higher price than for Lithuanians; they didn’t want to declare my place of residence and demanded a security deposit of 3–4 months in advance on top of the rent, as well as payment through third parties rather than directly. They demanded extra payments after I moved in,” shared a study participant from Ukraine. Another participant seconded this: “Even if they do rent to you, they require a large deposit, for 2–3 months in advance. It is especially difficult for refugees to pay such an amount all at once.”
“Considering how difficult it is to find housing for rent in Lithuania, having no other choice, people often agree to pay a larger deposit by borrowing money from family or friends, or by using their savings. This becomes an especially heavy financial burden for people who have moved to live in Lithuania, further hindering their ability to establish themselves, and can have painful financial consequences,” notes Ieva Laugalytė, Equality Mainstreaming Expert at the Office and one of the study’s authors.
Rentals – Without an Official Lease Agreement and Without Any Guarantees
Another obstacle faced by foreign tenants is the refusal to sign an official lease agreement. A study participant from Iraq with refugee status shared that he has faced housing search problems since his arrival:
“The main problem now is that they don’t want to declare my place of residence, and I am required to have a declared address. One landlord, it seems to me, was simply trying to avoid taxes. He said: ‘No, no, this is non-negotiable.’”
A woman from Ukraine shared similar experiences:
“Lithuanian landlords do not want to rent housing officially because they don’t want to pay taxes on rental income. Consequently, Ukrainians cannot receive compensation for utilities, and they face difficulties in finding employment, so they are left to survive as best they can.”
As noted by I. Laugalytė, when an official agreement is not signed or when only a short-term contract is offered, it significantly limits people’s ability to establish themselves securely, make the rental property a home, and become part of the country’s community in the long term.
“Some study participants stated that this made them feel valued only as ‘temporary’ residents. The failure to sign official or long-term agreements shifts disproportionate risk to the tenants and fails to provide security,” observes I. Laugalytė.
Poorer Living Conditions
A study participant from Iraq shared that after a long struggle, he finally found a small one-room apartment. Only after moving in did the man realize that drug dealing was taking place nearby; there was frequent noise, an unpleasant smell in the stairwell, and groups of people often gathered by the entrance, making him feel unsafe when passing by.
“This story reflects a common situation where people from abroad, unable to find suitable housing for rent, are forced to live in overcrowded, lower-quality housing—for example, in places where proper sanitary conditions are not ensured or where there is mold—as well as in often dangerous environments,” observes expert I. Laugalytė.
“We could end up on the street”
When asked whether they had reported the discrimination they experienced while renting housing, men and women from abroad mostly said they had not turned to anyone.
“No, I didn’t report it to anyone because I’m not sure about my rights when renting housing,” “I reported it to the municipality. The answer was that you are in a foreign country and this is normal,” “We don’t know where to turn or if anyone can help. We could end up on the street,” shared women from Ukraine.
“The experiences and responses of the women quoted illustrate the attitudes that most foreigners have already formed, regardless of whether they sought help. In other words, many participants reflected that they feel like guests in Lithuania with a limited package of rights,” observes I. Laugalytė.
“At first, I didn’t know how to handle this situation; later I realized that this happens very often. People no longer expect help,” shared a student from South Africa. Meanwhile, a man from India noted: “I was focused on finding a place to live as quickly as possible <…>. And honestly, sometimes you just get tired of constantly facing these problems and you choose to move on rather than fight every single time.”
“The housing rental market in Lithuania is poorly regulated, which further highlights critical accessibility issues—rising rental prices, a weak tenant protection system, discrimination against various social groups, and often too small a role for the state in these processes. In such a context, safe, dignified housing that meets one’s needs becomes difficult to access for many,” observes I. Laugalytė.
If you have faced discrimination or wish to consult, we invite you to contact the Office’s legal experts in the way most convenient for you.