In today’s turbulent geopolitical environment, Lithuania continues to stand out as a resilient, economically strong and secure country.
For those asking is Lithuania safe for business, travel or investment, the answer lies in the country’s strong NATO and EU membership, advanced cybersecurity capabilities, growing defence infrastructure and long-term focus on energy independence. Despite regional uncertainty, Lithuania continues to attract international companies and strengthen its role as a stable, secure and business-friendly location on NATO’s eastern flank.
Lithuania is also recognised as a low-risk travel destination by the U.S. Department of State. The country is currently listed as Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions, the lowest advisory level, with the advisory summary noting that Lithuania is generally a safe destination for travellers.
© sgt. K. Kavolėlis / Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania
Lithuania actively contributes to both NATO and EU defence initiatives. As a NATO member since 2004, the country benefits from collective defence guarantees that provide long-term security and stability.
Germany’s permanent brigade deployment in Lithuania is one of the clearest signs of NATO’s confidence in the country’s strategic importance. The brigade is planned to include around 5,000 military and civilian personnel, strengthening NATO’s presence in the Baltics and supporting Lithuania’s long-term defence infrastructure development.
For investors, this means operating in a stable, secure environment aligned with NATO and EU security priorities.
Despite global geopolitical and economic uncertainties, Lithuania’s economy continues to show resilience. Major international companies such as Nasdaq and Hollister have expanded their operations in Lithuania, demonstrating continued confidence in the country’s stability and business environment.
Foreign direct investment also remains an important signal of investor confidence. By the end of 2025, cumulative FDI in Lithuania had reached €43.8 billion, an increase of 10.1% year on year and equivalent to 52.1% of the country’s GDP.
As Vinted CEO Thomas Plantenga has argued, business growth also plays a role in national resilience: “Strong businesses create tax revenue. Tax revenue funds defence. Economic growth strengthens resilience.”
For companies looking for predictability, security and access to the EU market, Lithuania remains a reliable location for long-term growth.
Businesses assess security by looking at a country’s institutions, alliances, infrastructure and economy.
Edvinas Grikšas, Minister of the Economy and Innovation, emphasises that economic strength is an important part of national security.
“Economic resilience is a fundamental part of national security. By accelerating strategic investment, strengthening innovation and modernising industry, Lithuania is building a more competitive and resilient economy.”
Lukas Savickas, Minister of Energy, sees secure and sustainable infrastructure as another important part of resilience.
“New investment strengthens not only individual sectors but the economy as a whole. Energy-intensive projects increase demand for reliable, competitively priced green electricity, accelerating the development of renewable energy generation and modern energy infrastructure. Lithuania’s hard-won energy independence has given us a strong foundation on which to build an even more competitive, innovative and resilient economy.”
International companies continue to expand in Lithuania. Nasdaq and Hollister are among those that have recently grown their operations in the country.
By the end of 2025, cumulative foreign direct investment in Lithuania had reached €43.8 billion, up 10.1% year on year.
Thomas Plantenga, CEO of Vinted, believes strong businesses contribute directly to national resilience.
“Strong businesses create tax revenue. Tax revenue funds defence. Economic growth strengthens resilience.”
Plantenga also believes resilience starts with action rather than fear.
“We need to be non-complacent, we need to not be scared, we need to do the work that we need to do to make ourselves safe.”
For Plantenga, investing in Lithuania is part of this approach.
“I’m investing 100% back into Lithuania because I think that’s the best way to protect ourselves and the best way to grow this country.”
Elijus Čivilis, General Manager of Invest Lithuania, adds that Lithuania’s security outlook should be assessed through a broader set of factors.
“What matters more is resilience: political stability, strong NATO and EU integration, credible defence capabilities and diversified energy systems. By these measures, Lithuania is well positioned: it has ended its energy dependence on Russia, synchronised its electricity grid with continental Europe and committed to spending up to 6% of GDP on defence annually from 2026 to 2030.”
Lithuania has emerged as a recognised cybersecurity leader in Europe. The country’s National Cyber Security Centre monitors cyber threats and coordinates national-level responses to incidents affecting critical infrastructure.
Lithuania also leads the EU Cyber Rapid Response Team and Mutual Assistance in Cyber Security project, strengthening its role in European cyber resilience. For technology-driven companies, this commitment to cybersecurity adds another layer of confidence: in Lithuania, digital infrastructure and business continuity are treated as strategic priorities.
Lithuania has made significant strides in securing energy independence, ensuring that businesses operating here enjoy reliable and sustainable energy supplies. The Klaipėda LNG terminal and the GIPL pipeline connecting Lithuania to Poland have reduced reliance on Russian energy imports and strengthened regional energy resilience.
In February 2025, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia disconnected from the Russia-controlled BRELL electricity system and synchronised with the continental European electricity grid. This marked a major step in reducing energy dependency on Russia and Belarus, strengthening the region’s energy security and resilience.
For businesses, stronger energy independence helps reduce exposure to geopolitical supply risks and supports long-term operational continuity.
Lithuania continues strengthening its position as a key location for defence investment and allied defence supply chains.
A major milestone came in 2025, when Rheinmetall, officially started construction of its 155 mm artillery ammunition plant in Baisogala, Lithuania. The facility is expected to produce tens of thousands of artillery shells annually and create more than 150 highly qualified jobs, strengthening Lithuania’s role in Europe’s ammunition supply chain.
Lithuania has also deepened cooperation with Northrop Grumman. In September 2024, the US manufacturer signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support local suppliers in producing medium-calibre ammunition for Infantry Fighting Vehicles, further integrating Lithuania into allied defence production networks.
Another recent industrial milestone is Lithuanian Defence Services’ nearly €50 million investment in the Kaunas Free Economic Zone, where Leopard 2A8 tank assembly and advanced military equipment manufacturing are set to be developed. The project has been granted major investment status, supporting faster implementation and reinforcing Lithuania’s position as a reliable location for high-value defence industry projects.
Lithuania is backing its security strategy with record defence spending and long-term infrastructure development. The country’s 2026 defence budget is set to reach €4.79 billion, around 5.38% of GDP, reflecting Lithuania’s commitment to strengthening deterrence, military readiness and defence industry capacity.
This investment is not limited to traditional defence infrastructure. Lithuania is also strengthening its military technology and defence innovation ecosystem through initiatives such as the Vytis programme, MilTech Sandbox, defence innovation vouchers and other tools designed to help defence startups and dual-use companies move from early-stage ideas to prototyping, testing, procurement and export.
Major defence projects are already turning this strategy into visible industrial capacity. Rheinmetall’s 155 mm ammunition plant, Lithuanian Defence Services’ investment in Leopard 2A8 tank assembly and advanced military equipment manufacturing, and Northrop Grumman’s cooperation on medium-calibre ammunition all show that Lithuania is moving from defence policy ambition to industrial execution.
Lithuania’s security planning is focused on long-term resilience, not short-term crisis response. Over the next 5-10 years, the country is expected to continue investing in defence infrastructure, NATO interoperability, cybersecurity, energy security and domestic defence industry capacity.
Germany’s permanent brigade in Lithuania is one of the clearest examples of this long-term approach. The brigade is planned to include around 5,000 military and civilian personnel, strengthening NATO’s presence in Lithuania and requiring continued investment in military infrastructure.
For business, this means greater predictability: long-term public investment, stronger infrastructure, more resilient supply chains and closer alignment with NATO and EU security priorities. Lithuania’s record 2026 defence budget – 5.38% of GDP – reinforces that stability is being planned and funded over the long term.
Lithuania’s defence ecosystem is not limited to large-scale industrial projects. The country is also home to a growing group of defence startups and scaleups developing military technology, drones, counter-UAS systems, laser and photonics solutions, secure communications, sensors and AI-enabled battlefield technologies.
Companies such as Unmanned Defense Systems, RSI Europe, Granta Autonomy, NT Service, Brolis Defence Group, Aktyvus Photonics, Astrolight, Broswarm and others show how Lithuania’s engineering, software, laser and electronics capabilities are being redirected into high-value defence and dual-use applications.
For a deeper look at the companies shaping this ecosystem, read our related article on Lithuania’s defence startups and miltech investment opportunities.
Yes, Lithuania is considered one of the safest countries in Europe. As a NATO member, Lithuania benefits from collective defence guarantees, including a permanent German heavy brigade stationed on its soil. The country’s National Cyber Security Centre neutralises cyber threats within 30 minutes, and Lithuania hosts the EU Cyber Rapid Response Team, making it a recognised leader in digital security across Europe.
Yes, Lithuania has been a NATO member since 2004. The country actively contributes to NATO and EU defence initiatives and plays a strategic role in the Alliance’s eastern flank. NATO’s confidence in Lithuania is reflected in Germany’s decision to permanently station a heavy brigade in the country – one of the most significant collective defence commitments in the Baltic region.
Lithuania has made substantial progress toward energy independence. The Klaipėda LNG terminal and the GIPL pipeline connecting Lithuania to Poland have significantly reduced reliance on Russian energy imports. In February 2025, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia disconnected from the Russia-controlled BRELL electricity system and synchronised with the continental European electricity grid, strengthening regional energy security and resilience.
Yes, Lithuania consistently attracts strong foreign direct investment. For example, foreign direct investment flows reached €288.3 million in Q2 2023 alone, driven by reinvestment, showing continued investor confidence despite regional uncertainty.
Global companies including Nasdaq, Hollister, Rheinmetall, and Northrop Grumman have chosen Lithuania for major expansions and long-term projects. The country’s political stability, NATO membership, cybersecurity leadership, and competitive tax environment make it one of the most reliable investment destinations in Central and Eastern Europe.
Invest Lithuania is here to keep you informed about the latest news, opportunities, and developments shaping Lithuania’s business landscape. If you have any questions or would like more details, feel free to contact us—we’re here to provide the insights you need.
