Investing in Lithuania in 2026: Brokers, ETFs and Taxes

Last updated: 3 September 2026

Table of Contents

Lithuania gives resident retail investors access to international brokers, Baltic bank brokers, app-based investment platforms and the broad UCITS ETF market. Its financial sector includes a large EU-facing fintech industry supervised by the Bank of Lithuania.

The most important recent tax development is Lithuania’s Investment Account regime, introduced from 1 January 2025. A correctly declared account can defer tax while money remains within the investment structure. Taxable income generally arises when withdrawals exceed the remaining contribution balance.

For 2026, income withdrawn from a qualifying Investment Account is taxed at a flat 15% regardless of amount. This is an important change from the 2025 rule under which an amount above 120 average national wages could be taxed at 20%. Older articles that repeat the 2025 threshold for 2026 are no longer accurate.

This guide is intended primarily for individuals who are tax resident in Lithuania and invest outside a business activity. Residence, account structure, asset type and source of income can change the tax result.

The Investment Landscape in Lithuania

Lithuanian residents can generally invest in:

Lithuanian, Baltic and international shares;
UCITS ETFs and investment funds;
government and corporate bonds;
money-market instruments;
pension and insurance-based investment products;
crowdfunding and peer-to-peer products offered under the relevant regulatory framework; and
derivatives, CFDs and forex products where lawfully offered.

Lithuania is an EU and euro-area member. Investment services are therefore shaped by MiFID II, PRIIPs, UCITS and other EU rules, together with Lithuanian legislation.

The Bank of Lithuania licenses and supervises Lithuanian financial institutions and maintains a register of financial-market participants. That register also identifies many EEA firms that provide services in Lithuania through branches or cross-border passporting.

Before disposing of an investment, investors can estimate the potential tax with the Finorum Capital Gains Tax Calculator for Lithuania. It is an educational estimate and should be reconciled with VMI guidance and the annual return.

Available Brokers for Lithuania Residents

Availability can depend on residence, citizenship, the requested product and the legal entity serving the account. Before publication or account opening, confirm the provider’s current onboarding flow and contract.

International Investment Brokers

Broker	General availability	Stocks	ETFs	Fractional investing	Main point to verify
Interactive Brokers	Generally available	Yes	Yes	Eligible instruments	Account declaration and Lithuanian tax records
Trading 212	Generally available	Yes	Yes	Yes	Invest account versus CFD account
XTB	Generally available	Yes	Yes	Fractional rights for eligible instruments	Underlying instrument versus CFD
eToro	Generally available	Selected instruments	Selected instruments	Yes	Ownership and CFD designation
Saxo	Generally available	Yes	Yes	Limited/product-dependent	Contracting entity, custody and fees
Swissquote	Verify current onboarding	Yes	Yes	Product-dependent	Serving entity and account domicile
Freedom24	Generally available	Yes	Yes	Limited/product-dependent	Investor scheme and tax reporting
LYNX	Verify current onboarding	Yes	Yes	Eligible instruments	Contracting and custody entity
DEGIRO	Do not present as confirmed	Only if onboarding is accepted	Only if onboarding is accepted	Generally no	Lithuania is not consistently shown as a supported residence

Trading.com is intentionally absent from this table. It is considered in the separate CFD and forex section, not as an ordinary stock-and-ETF broker.

Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers Ireland generally accepts eligible Lithuanian residents and offers stocks, ETFs, bonds, options and other instruments across many markets. Investors using the Lithuanian Investment Account regime must declare the relevant cash account correctly and preserve contribution and withdrawal records.

Trading 212

Trading 212 offers an Invest account for shares, ETFs and fractional investing and a separate CFD service. Account statements can assist with tax reporting, but they do not transfer Lithuanian filing responsibility from the taxpayer.

XTB

XTB offers shares, ETFs and CFDs, subject to country and entity availability. Its fractional product can involve fiduciary rights representing a fraction of an underlying security rather than a separately transferable fractional share. Investors should check the product documentation and order ticket.

eToro

eToro offers shares, ETFs and CFDs. The legal form of a trade can depend on the instrument, leverage, direction and serving entity. A familiar ticker does not by itself establish ownership of the underlying asset.

Saxo

Saxo gives eligible Lithuanian clients access to multiple asset classes and exchanges. Investors should compare minimum commissions, FX and custody costs and identify the compensation scheme attached to the contractual entity.

Swissquote

Swissquote may provide international securities access to eligible Lithuanian residents. Current onboarding, account domicile and whether a particular fractional service is available should be confirmed directly rather than assumed globally.

Freedom24

Freedom24 provides stocks, ETFs and bonds through its European investment firm. Investors should verify the exact legal entity, current costs and the applicable investor-compensation and cash-protection arrangements.

LYNX

LYNX provides international market access using Interactive Brokers infrastructure in supported countries. Lithuanian availability should be confirmed in the current onboarding flow, together with the contractual custodian and tax-reporting responsibility.

DEGIRO

DEGIRO should not be described as definitely available for new Lithuanian-resident accounts unless its current onboarding process explicitly accepts Lithuania. Operating elsewhere in the EU is not proof that new accounts are accepted from every EU country.

Domestic and Regional Investment Platforms

Provider	Type	Typical access	Main point to verify
Revolut Securities Europe UAB	Lithuanian-authorised investment firm	App-based shares, ETFs and fractional investing	Which cash account should be declared as the Investment Account
Swedbank Lithuania	Lithuanian bank broker	Baltic and international securities, funds and bonds	Trading and custody tariff
SEB Lithuania	Lithuanian bank broker	Shares, ETFs, bonds and funds	Market access and minimum commission
Artea Bank	Lithuanian bank and investment provider	Baltic and selected international investments	Current platform scope and pricing
Citadele C Trade	Baltic bank-linked platform	Shares, ETFs, bonds and funds	Contracting entity and account reporting

Revolut Securities Europe UAB

Revolut’s investment service is provided to eligible clients through a Lithuania-authorised entity supervised by the Bank of Lithuania. Investors should distinguish the securities account, associated money account and ordinary payment account when declaring an Investment Account.

Swedbank Lithuania

Swedbank Lithuania provides securities accounts, Baltic market access and selected international investments. Its local integration can simplify account documentation, but investors should compare foreign-market commission and custody charges.

SEB Lithuania

SEB Lithuania offers securities and investment services including funds, shares and bonds. Available exchanges and tariff terms should be checked for the specific service channel.

Artea Bank

Artea Bank is the current brand following the former Šiaulių Bankas identity. It provides investment services and access to Baltic and other instruments. Old articles should use the current name while explaining the former branding only where useful.

Citadele C Trade

Citadele offers bank-linked investment access. Investors should confirm the precise account entity, eligible markets, custody arrangements and how the account is documented for Lithuanian tax purposes.

Traditional Bank Brokers

Traditional banks may suit investors who want local support, a securities account linked to their main bank and easier documentation. Total costs can be higher than at execution-only brokers.

Bank	Typical investment access	Potential strength	Point to compare
Swedbank Lithuania	Baltic and foreign shares, bonds and funds	Integrated local banking	Foreign-market commissions and custody fees
SEB Lithuania	Shares, ETFs, bonds and funds	Local support and research	Minimum dealing fee and available exchanges
Artea Bank	Baltic securities and investment services	Lithuanian banking relationship	Product range and tariff
Citadele Lithuania	C Trade and bank investment products	Regional platform	Contracting entity and custody
Luminor Lithuania	Investor platform and investment services	Baltic banking presence	Branch structure and home-state protections

A bank deposit and an investment security are legally different. Deposit insurance covers eligible deposits, not a decline in the market price of a share, ETF or bond.

CFD and Forex Brokers

CFDs are leveraged derivatives and do not confer ownership of the referenced share, ETF, currency or commodity. Providers that also offer ordinary investments are repeated here because the risk and legal product differ.

Provider	General availability in Lithuania	Main point to verify
XTB	Generally available	CFD account versus underlying securities
eToro	Generally available	Identify CFD status on the trade ticket
IG	Generally available	Primarily leveraged products
CMC Markets	Generally available	CFD-focused service
Plus500	Generally available	CFD-focused service
Pepperstone	Generally available	Forex and CFD focus
AvaTrade	Generally available	Forex and CFD focus
Admirals	Generally available	Products depend on serving entity
FP Markets	Verify current onboarding	Entity and EEA cross-border permission
Trading.com	Verify current Lithuanian onboarding	Forex and CFD service, not ordinary ETF ownership

EU retail CFD protections include leverage limits, margin close-out, negative-balance protection and standardised warnings. They do not prevent rapid losses. Check the exact entity in the Bank of Lithuania register and its home regulator’s register.

ETF Investing from Lithuania

Lithuanian retail investors can generally buy UCITS ETFs distributed across the EEA, including Ireland- and Luxembourg-domiciled funds covering:

global, regional and single-country equities;
developed and emerging markets;
government and corporate bonds;
money markets;
sectors, themes, factors and dividend strategies;
commodities through appropriate exchange-traded structures; and
accumulating and distributing share classes.

UCITS is a regulatory framework, not a guarantee of positive returns. Investors should read the KID and prospectus and check costs, replication, securities lending, index methodology, currency exposure and fund size.

Can Lithuanian Residents Buy US-Domiciled ETFs?

Most Lithuanian retail clients cannot newly purchase US-domiciled ETFs through an EEA-regulated broker because the issuer normally does not provide the PRIIPs Key Information Document required for retail distribution.

This is an EEA distribution restriction, not a Lithuanian ban on ownership. Professional-client treatment and limited special cases can differ. An existing holding may often be retained or sold even if additional purchases are unavailable.

UCITS alternatives can offer similar index exposure, but they are not identical to US products. Domicile, fees, replication, withholding tax within the fund, exchange currency and distribution policy can differ.

US-domiciled example	UCITS example with broadly comparable exposure	UCITS ISIN
SPY	iShares Core S&P 500 UCITS ETF	IE00B5BMR087
VOO	Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF	IE00BFMXXD54
QQQ	Invesco EQQQ NASDAQ-100 UCITS ETF	IE0032077012
VT	Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF	IE00BK5BQT80

These are illustrations, not recommendations or one-for-one substitutes.

Examples of Broad UCITS ETFs

ETF	ISIN	Reference exposure
Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF, distributing share class	IE00B3RBWM25	FTSE All-World
Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF, accumulating share class	IE00BK5BQT80	FTSE All-World
iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF	IE00B4L5Y983	MSCI World
Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF	IE00B3XXRP09	S&P 500
iShares Core S&P 500 UCITS ETF	IE00B5BMR087	S&P 500
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI UCITS ETF	IE00BKM4GZ66	MSCI Emerging Markets IMI

Confirm the ISIN and share class before ordering. A ticker can differ by exchange and trading currency.

Tax Treatment of ETFs

Lithuania has no separate universal “ETF tax”. The result depends on whether an ETF is held inside a declared Investment Account and on whether the investor receives a distribution or disposes of units.

Outside an Investment Account

A realised gain from selling ETF units is generally treated under the rules for disposal of financial instruments. The ordinary starting rate is 15%, the annual €500 exemption may apply if its statutory conditions are met, and from 2026 the wider rate and aggregation rules for non-employment income must also be considered at higher income levels.

The five-year special rule introduced for 2026 applies to qualifying shares, ownership interests and member shares acquired outside an Investment Account. It should not be presented as a blanket five-year exemption or special rate for all ETFs and securities.

Inside an Investment Account

Internal ETF sales and reinvestments generally do not create immediate tax if the account qualifies. Tax is calculated when withdrawals exceed the remaining contribution balance. For 2026, qualifying Investment Account income is taxed at a flat 15% regardless of amount.

The €500 exemption for ordinary financial-instrument gains and interest does not apply to income calculated under the Investment Account regime.

Accumulating and Distributing ETFs

An accumulating ETF reinvests income within the fund; a distributing ETF pays cash to the investor. Outside an Investment Account, a distribution can require current tax classification and reporting. Inside the regime, eligible cash received into the declared account is incorporated into the account calculation, although statutory exclusions apply to some income and products.

Investors should preserve broker statements, purchase costs, commissions, distributions, withholding-tax evidence, contributions and withdrawals.

Opening an Investment Account

1. Choose the Intended Tax Treatment

An “investment account” for Lithuanian tax is a declared cash account used for eligible investments; it is not simply any broker account marketed as an investing account. An investor using a brokerage firm should generally declare the personal money account visible within the brokerage relationship.

VMI’s Investment Account guidance explains eligible accounts, investments, declaration and the withdrawal calculation.

2. Compare the Full Cost

Compare commissions, minimum charges, FX conversion, custody, exchange and market-data fees, transfer charges and recurring-plan costs. Also consider the value of usable tax statements.

3. Prepare Identification Documents

Most brokers request:

passport or national identity card;
proof of residential address;
Lithuanian personal or tax identification data;
tax-residence self-certification;
a bank account in the client’s name; and
information about experience, objectives and source of funds.

4. Verify the Provider

Check the exact legal entity, regulator, register entry, custody arrangements and compensation scheme. An EU passport permits cross-border service but does not transfer every account into Lithuania’s domestic compensation system.

5. Declare and Document the Account

Investment Accounts used during 2025 are first declared with the annual income tax return filed in 2026. Follow the current VMI return instructions for the account identifier and opening date. Maintain a continuous record of contributions and withdrawals, including transfers between declared accounts.

Taxes for Investors in Lithuania

Ordinary Capital Gains

The statement “Lithuania taxes every investment gain at a flat 15%” is incomplete for 2026.

The normal starting rate for many gains from financial instruments outside an Investment Account remains 15%. However, following the 2026 personal income tax reform, specified non-employment income above the statutory 12-VDU band can interact with the general 20%, 25% and 32% rate structure. The applicable rate therefore depends on income category, amount and statutory exclusions.

The VMI 2026 rate table should be used instead of a pre-2026 summary. It also confirms categories that remain at 15% regardless of amount, including dividends and qualifying shares or ownership interests held for more than five years outside an Investment Account.

Use the Lithuania Capital Gains Tax Calculator for an initial estimate, then confirm the category and annual aggregation in the current VMI instructions.

The €500 Exemption

Outside the Investment Account regime, the first €500 of annual net gains from the disposal of qualifying financial instruments and derivatives can be exempt, subject to statutory exceptions. It is not a €500 deduction for every account or transaction.

The exemption does not apply in all cases, including specified disposals to the issuing entity, certain substantial ownership situations and other transactions excluded by the Income Tax Law. It also does not apply to taxable income withdrawn under the Investment Account calculation.

Shares Held for More Than Five Years

From 1 January 2026, gains from qualifying shares, interests or member shares acquired outside an Investment Account and held for more than five years are taxed at 15% regardless of amount rather than being folded into the higher general rate bands.

This is a rate rule, not a tax exemption. It does not automatically cover ETFs, fund units, bonds, derivatives or every transaction involving a company reorganisation.

The Investment Account Regime

The regime began on 1 January 2025 and provides tax deferral rather than permanent exemption.

Broadly:

the resident declares an eligible money account to VMI;
money paid into the account establishes the contribution balance;
eligible investments are acquired through the account;
sale proceeds and income can be reinvested without immediate transaction-by-transaction taxation;
each withdrawal reduces the contribution balance; and
the excess of a withdrawal over the remaining contribution is taxable Investment Account income.

VMI confirms that from 1 January 2026 Investment Account income is taxed at 15% regardless of amount. The previous 120-VDU/20% rule is relevant to 2025, not 2026 income.

The statutory list of eligible financial products and account providers must be respected. Crypto-assets, pension products, life insurance, direct peer-to-peer loans and other products should not be assumed eligible merely because a broker or app displays them beside shares.

Dividends

Dividends received by an individual are generally taxed at a flat 15% regardless of amount in 2026. Lithuanian-source dividends are normally withheld by the payer.

Foreign dividends may suffer source-country withholding. Treaty relief and a Lithuanian foreign-tax credit can be available subject to limits and evidence. A broker statement should identify gross dividend, foreign tax and net payment.

Dividends are generally not brought into the Investment Account deferral in the same manner as disposal proceeds merely by being paid into the account; VMI’s product and income rules should be followed carefully. Tax already withheld does not become a new contribution merely through an internal account label.

Interest

Interest follows its own rules. A €500 annual exemption can apply to qualifying interest outside the Investment Account regime, subject to statutory scope and exclusions. The exemption is not available for taxable Investment Account income.

Losses and Foreign Tax Credits

Eligible acquisition costs and transaction expenses reduce the gain calculation outside the Investment Account. Loss offsetting is category- and transaction-dependent, and losses should not be assumed to offset dividends or interest.

Foreign tax credits are limited by Lithuanian law and treaty rules and require proof of foreign income and tax. Excess foreign withholding is not necessarily refundable through the Lithuanian return.

Foreign Brokers and Worldwide Income

Lithuanian tax residents are generally taxed on worldwide income. International brokers usually provide statements but do not calculate and pay Lithuanian personal income tax for the client. The investor remains responsible for classification, currency conversion, declaration and payment.

For wider personal-tax context, see the Finorum Lithuania Tax Guide.

Filing Deadline

Investment income is generally reported through the annual income tax return using VMI’s Electronic Declaration System. The ordinary annual deadline is typically 1 May of the following year, moved to the next working day where applicable, but investors should verify the exact deadline and current form for each filing year directly with VMI.

Regulation and Investor Protection

Bank of Lithuania

The Bank of Lithuania supervises banks, brokerage firms, management companies, investment funds, electronic-money institutions and other regulated participants within its remit. It also publishes warnings and accepts consumer complaints.

Always search the legal entity, not only the trading brand. A clone website can imitate an authorised firm.

Liabilities to Investors Insurance

Lithuania’s scheme protects eligible money and financial instruments entrusted to a participating provider when the provider is unable to return them. According to the state company Deposit and Investment Insurance, compensation cannot exceed €22,000 per investor.

This is protection against specified failure to return assets, not against investment risk, falling prices, an issuer default embedded in the purchased security or an unsuitable investment.

An international broker may instead be covered by the compensation scheme of its home-state entity. Check the client agreement.

Deposit Protection

Eligible deposits at banks and credit unions established in Lithuania are normally insured up to €100,000 per depositor per institution. In specified temporary high-balance cases, protection can reach €300,000. The Bank of Lithuania’s official explanation distinguishes Lithuanian institutions from branches whose deposits are protected in the bank’s home country.

Deposit insurance does not cover market losses on shares, ETFs, bonds or CFDs.

Client-Asset Segregation

Asset segregation, investor-liability insurance and deposit insurance are separate protections. Proper segregation is intended to separate client instruments from the firm’s assets. It does not guarantee the instrument’s value or eliminate issuer and market risk.

Is Lithuania a Good Base for Investors?

Potential Advantages

broad international-broker access;
a substantial regulated fintech sector;
access to the EU UCITS ETF universe;
Investment Account tax deferral;
a flat 15% rate on qualifying Investment Account income in 2026;
a €500 exemption for qualifying ordinary gains outside the regime; and
statutory deposit and investor-liability protection.

Potential Disadvantages

self-reporting remains common with international brokers;
2026 rate reforms make ordinary high-income cases less suitable for a simple “flat 15%” description;
the €500 exemption has exclusions and does not apply inside the Investment Account regime;
the five-year rule covers qualifying shares and interests, not every ETF or security;
most US-domiciled ETFs are unavailable for new EEA retail purchases; and
bank brokers can have higher minimum commissions and custody charges.

Lithuania can be attractive for long-term investors who use a declared Investment Account consistently and avoid unnecessary taxable withdrawals. Investors who rely on the €500 ordinary exemption or five-year share rule should compare the two regimes before declaring assets to an Investment Account.

Compare Lithuania and Plan the Wider Move

Investment taxation should be compared with earnings, housing and living expenses. Relevant Finorum resources include:

Conclusion

Lithuania combines extensive EU market access, domestic and international brokers, a large fintech sector and a useful Investment Account regime. The account allows qualifying investments to be sold and reinvested without immediate tax, with a flat 15% tax applying in 2026 when withdrawals exceed the remaining contribution balance.

Outside that regime, investors must consider the €500 exemption, the 2026 income-rate structure, the special 15% treatment for qualifying shares held longer than five years, dividends and foreign-tax credits. Selecting the tax framework before trading and keeping reliable contribution, withdrawal and acquisition records are therefore essential.

Disclaimer

This guide is for general information and education only. It is not investment, tax, accounting or legal advice and does not recommend any broker, ETF or strategy. Laws, tax guidance, broker availability, legal entities, fees and products can change. Verify current information with the provider, VMI, the Bank of Lithuania or a qualified Lithuanian professional before acting.

Matias Buće

Matias Buće has a formal background in administrative law and more than ten years of experience studying global markets, forex trading, and personal finance. His legal training shapes his approach to investing — with a focus on regulation, structure, and risk management. At Finorum, he writes about a broad range of financial topics, from European ETFs to practical personal finance strategies for everyday investors.