Government backs schools for German brigade families in Vilnius and Kaunas

Lithuania’s government has approved plans to build a school for children of German brigade personnel in Vilnius and reconstruct another school in Kaunas, LRT reported on Wednesday. The state plans to allocate 56.619 million euros for the projects.

The Education, Science and Sport Ministry said the existing education infrastructure would not meet the needs of the German brigade soldiers and personnel expected to be deployed in Lithuania.

The plans call for a new school at 11 Drujos Street in Vilnius for around 500 to 600 pupils. A school at 30 Verkių Street in Kaunas would be reconstructed and adapted to educate about 200 pupils.

The first German brigade soldiers are expected to arrive at the Rūdninkai military town this autumn. Construction of its second stage began in mid-July, while the first stage is expected to be completed earlier, according to Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas. The ministry plans to complete all priority infrastructure for the brigade by the end of 2027.

Once construction in Rūdninkai is complete, a military base for several thousand troops is planned on an area of about 190 hectares, roughly 23 kilometres south of Vilnius and 35 kilometres from the border with Belarus.

Germany confirmed in autumn 2023 that it would permanently deploy a combat-ready brigade in Lithuania. About 5,000 German brigade soldiers and civilians are expected to move to the country, with some arriving with their families. Most of the brigade was planned to be transferred to Lithuania by 2026, while Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has said it will reach full operational capacity in 2027.