One in ten Vilnius residents is a foreigner as city unveils migration policy

One in ten residents of Vilnius is now a foreign national, with most arriving from outside the European Union, according to data presented by Mayor Valdas Benkunskas as the city introduced its new migration policy on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters, Benkunskas said Vilnius currently hosts 76,000 foreign residents, a number that has tripled over the past five years. Of these, only 15,000 hold EU citizenship, meaning roughly 80% come from non-EU countries—a trend he described as a “serious signal” requiring action.

“The majority, about 40%, are here on temporary permits,” Benkunskas explained. Only 9,000 non-EU residents have lived in Vilnius for more than three years, having passed language exams and other integration requirements.

Baltarusians represent the largest group of temporary residents (over 18,200), followed by Ukrainians (5,500) and Russians (2,400). Other significant communities include migrants from India, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, and Azerbaijan.

The mayor warned that without proactive measures, Vilnius could face challenges seen in other European capitals, such as rising crime, social segregation, and urban neglect. A recent city survey found 57% of residents believe migration is not beneficial to Vilnius, while 64% fear unchecked migration could threaten national security.

Benkunskas emphasized that many migrants are Russian-speaking, which he linked to reports of Russian being heard more frequently than Lithuanian in some areas. The city’s new policy aims to address integration, housing, and social cohesion as foreign-born residents now make up 10% of the population.