A decade in, Lithuania’s fintech sector shifts from launchpad to base for scale

Lithuania’s fintech sector is entering a new chapter. New data from Invest Lithuania shows the EU’s largest licensed fintech hub now serves around 40 million customers, employs nearly 8,000 professionals, and is moving into a phase of growth defined by consolidation, deeper capabilities, and rising interest from strategic investors.

The country’s fintech ecosystem now comprises 248 active companies – down from last year’s 282 as the market consolidates around stronger, more established players. Yet the sector’s economic footprint has deepened considerably: the value of payments processed by electronic money and payment institutions grew by 57% since the end of 2022 to €163 billion, while the assets of specialised banks reached €1.665 billion in Q3 2025 – up 182% over the same period.

A talent base built for the next phase

Lithuania’s fintech talent pool – around 7,800 professionals – has doubled over the past five years and is increasingly recognised as one of the sector’s most durable competitive advantages. Average company size has grown by a third in the same period, rising from around 21 employees per company in 2021 to 31 in 2025, reflecting the shift from a high volume of early-stage entrants to a smaller number of more established, scaling businesses.

The country’s broader talent pipeline supports continued growth, with 78,000 ICT specialists and 14,000 compliance and risk management professionals across the economy. Nine dedicated fintech study pathways are now offered across Lithuanian universities and colleges, and Kaunas University of Technology’s AI Centre of Excellence is developing research and applied capabilities in artificial intelligence – a field increasingly central to next-generation financial services.

The diverse composition of the workforce is another of the ecosystem’s strengths: 48% of employees are women, 87% are under 45, and 58% of companies employ international staff in their Lithuanian offices. Hiring intentions remain strong, with 77% of surveyed fintechs planning to expand their teams in 2026, and 24% looking to hire ten or more employees.

Strong revenues, confident outlook

Growth expectations across the sector remain robust. 65% of fintechs surveyed by Invest Lithuania anticipate revenue growth of at least 10% in 2026, and 32% expect growth of 50% or more. These projections are underpinned by a strong track record, with sector revenue having grown almost fourfold between 2020 and 2024, and EMI and payment institution income reaching €622 million in 2024 – a 25% increase year on year.

Companies operating in Lithuania continue to cite EU market access (74%), highly skilled talent (60%), digital infrastructure (48%), fintech-friendly regulation (45%), and the strength of the local ecosystem (40%) as the main advantages of their Lithuanian base.

Rising M&A signals strategic confidence

Growing mergers and acquisitions activity is another marker of the sector’s maturation. Recent deals – including Checkout.com’s acquisition of Blue EMI and Ebury’s purchase of ArcaPay – point to increasing strategic interest in fintech companies operating in Lithuania. As more globally competitive solutions are developed locally, Lithuanian fintechs are attracting attention from investors and strategic buyers for their capabilities, regulatory positioning, and ability to scale across European markets.