Innovation and R&D

From the world’s most powerful laser through to the extra-resistant glass in over 4.5 billion smartphones, Lithuanian innovation is impacting research and product development globally. Companies are currently assembling international-quality research teams here at highly competitive costs, and there is strong and committed governmental support for R&D.

Lithuania has been planting seeds which are now bearing fruit, thanks to its longstanding focus on developing talent. Its population has EU-leading higher education levels. And, as a small country with strong business-academy links, international investors are playing a key role in shaping courses in order to nurture exactly the talent they need. And going forward, the government is committed to further growing STEM education.

Small and tight-knit, Lithuania’s innovation ecosystem is a real community where solutions are quick and networks are instant. And when it comes to assembling a tailoured team of researchers – like the one at Thermo Fisher Scientific’s World Excellence Center for Molecular Biology – your investment simply goes further.

Lithuania combines large-scale commitment to innovation with small-scale, sector-specific tailoring. This enables it to support dynamic businesses with both generous support and an ability to adapt to niche needs. R&D expenses are fully deductible 3 times, while corporate tax can be reduced by up to 50%. And because nurturing talent is a top priority, 50% of employee training costs can be reimbursed.

Support for R&D and the tech sectors is a national priority. So much so that between 2006-2013 Lithuania spent 411 million EUR to develop its R&D infrastructure and science valleys. Another 679 million EUR will be put into further enhancement of R&D capacity over the period 2014-2020. (Source: National Audit Office of the Republic of Lithuania, 2017)