Lithuania, the Baltic jewel on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea, covers an area of approximately 65,300 square kilometres and is home to a population of around 2.8 million. The charming capital, Vilnius, with its baroque architecture and cobbled streets, reflects the country's rich history. Lithuania prides itself on its unique language, one of the oldest in Europe, and the stunning Curonian Spit National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Traditional Lithuanian cuisine, dominated by potatoes, meat and dairy products, offers a delicious insight into the local culture.
A brief history of Lithuania
The history of Lithuania is rich in cultural and political changes dating back to the Middle Ages. In the 14th century, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania became a powerful state under Grand Duke Gediminas and greatly expanded its territory. The Lithuanian ruler Jogaila married the Polish Queen Jadwiga in 1386, which led to the Union of Lublin in 1569 and established the Polish-Lithuanian Union, which lasted until the end of the 18th century.
In the 19th century, Lithuania became part of the Russian Empire, which led to the suppression of Lithuanian culture and language. After the First World War, Lithuania gained its independence in 1918, but this was threatened by Soviet and German occupation during the Second World War. After the war, Lithuania came under Soviet rule and became part of the USSR.
The period from 1944 to 1991 was marked by repression and resistance to Soviet occupation. Lithuania finally regained its independence in 1990 and was a pioneer in the Baltic states' efforts to break away from the USSR. The 'Baltic Way' in 1989, in which millions of people formed a human chain through the three Baltic capitals, symbolised the common desire for freedom.
Since independence, Lithuania has developed into a stable democracy with a thriving economy. In 2004, the country joined NATO and the European Union, strengthening its position in the international community.
Lithuania is proud of its rich cultural heritage, reflected in its language, folklore, art and architecture. The Singing Revolution, a peaceful independence movement, is a testament to the determination and community spirit of Lithuanians. The country also boasts stunning natural landscapes, including the Curonian Spit National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lithuanian political system
Lithuania's political system is a parliamentary republic with a clear separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches.
The Lithuanian executive consists of the President of the Republic and the Government, headed by the Prime Minister. The President of the Republic is directly elected every five years and has mainly representative duties, while real political power lies with the Prime Minister and the Government. The Prime Minister is appointed by the parliament, the Seimas. The government consists of ministers who head various departments. A special feature of the Lithuanian presidency is that, in addition to representative functions, the president has certain veto powers and determines foreign policy.
In recent times, Lithuania has consolidated its position as a dynamic European state, promoting innovation, technology and education. Lithuania's history is a fascinating journey from royal rule through Soviet domination to freedom and modern development.
The legislature, the Seimas, is the parliament of Lithuania and is a unicameral system with 141 seats. Seimas members are elected every four years. The Lithuanian parliament is known for its vibrant democracy and the diversity of its political parties. It is a first-past-the-post system, with parties receiving seats in proportion to their share of the vote. A special feature is the proportional representation system for parties that received at least 5% of the vote, which promotes the representation of different political currents.
The Lithuanian judiciary is independent and consists of several levels. The Supreme Court is the highest court and rules on constitutional, civil and criminal cases. The Constitutional Court is responsible for reviewing the constitutionality of laws and plays an important role in ensuring the rule of law. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases. Judges are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Judicial Council.
Overall, Lithuania's political system is characterised by a democratic structure and a clear separation of powers. Lithuanian citizens have the right to elect their representatives and there are mechanisms to check and balance power. The political landscape is dynamic and the institutions are working to strengthen the principles of the rule of law and democratic participation.
Fill in the ETIAS application for Lithuania
For selected safe countries, only a passport is required to enter Lithuania. This will change with the introduction of ETIAS. The system is similar to the US ESTA. However, there are some differences that make it more convenient to use. For one thing, ETIAS is valid for three years instead of two. Another advantage is that a negative decision can be appealed. This is not possible with the ESTA. In most cases, the traveller is not even told why the ESTA has been refused.
Equally important is the care the traveller must take when completing the form. Firstly, an internet connection and a suitable terminal are required. A laptop or desktop computer is ideal. However, if you only have a mobile phone, you can use it to complete the application. If you do not have a mobile phone, computer or internet connection, you can still enter the Schengen area. The application can be completed by friends, acquaintances, relatives or an agency.
Your passport must be at hand when you complete the form. All details must be entered accurately. A mistake could result in the traveller not being allowed to enter the Schengen area.
An important question is which country the traveller enters first. For the first entry, the country of first entry applies. For subsequent visits to the Schengen area, this is no longer mandatory. Of course, travellers with a Schengen visa can move freely within the Schengen area.
An important part is the security questions. These must be answered truthfully. If a question is answered in the affirmative, the application will be re-examined. This can lead to delays in approval or rejection. ETIAs should not be applied for close to the time of travel, because if approval is not granted immediately, the trip may have to be cancelled, which is very expensive.
An important point that is often overlooked is that the ETIAS is not a guarantee of entry; it is a necessary condition, but if the border official believes that the traveller is a risk, he or she can and will refuse entry.
It only takes a few minutes to fill in the form. It ensures that only travellers who really want to enjoy the beauty of Europe or are on a business trip enter the country. Of course, there is no guarantee, but the likelihood of a terrorist attack is greatly reduced. By completing an ETIAS application, you are protecting yourself as well as other travellers and residents of the Schengen area.
Français
Español
English
Deutsch
lithuania-3747589_640.jpg
Lithuania, the Baltic jewel on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea, covers an area of approximately 65,300 square kilometres and is home to a population of around 2.8 million. The charming capital, Vilnius, with its baroque architecture and cobbled streets, reflects the country's rich history. Lithuania prides itself on its unique language, one of the oldest in Europe, and the stunning Curonian Spit National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Traditional Lithuanian cuisine, dominated by potatoes, meat and dairy products, offers a delicious insight into the local culture.
A brief history of Lithuania
The history of Lithuania is rich in cultural and political changes dating back to the Middle Ages. In the 14th century, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania became a powerful state under Grand Duke Gediminas and greatly expanded its territory. The Lithuanian ruler Jogaila married the Polish Queen Jadwiga in 1386, which led to the Union of Lublin in 1569 and established the Polish-Lithuanian Union, which lasted until the end of the 18th century.
In the 19th century, Lithuania became part of the Russian Empire, which led to the suppression of Lithuanian culture and language. After the First World War, Lithuania gained its independence in 1918, but this was threatened by Soviet and German occupation during the Second World War. After the war, Lithuania came under Soviet rule and became part of the USSR.
The period from 1944 to 1991 was marked by repression and resistance to Soviet occupation. Lithuania finally regained its independence in 1990 and was a pioneer in the Baltic states' efforts to break away from the USSR. The 'Baltic Way' in 1989, in which millions of people formed a human chain through the three Baltic capitals, symbolised the common desire for freedom.
Since independence, Lithuania has developed into a stable democracy with a thriving economy. In 2004, the country joined NATO and the European Union, strengthening its position in the international community.
Lithuania is proud of its rich cultural heritage, reflected in its language, folklore, art and architecture. The Singing Revolution, a peaceful independence movement, is a testament to the determination and community spirit of Lithuanians. The country also boasts stunning natural landscapes, including the Curonian Spit National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lithuanian political system
Lithuania's political system is a parliamentary republic with a clear separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches.
The Lithuanian executive consists of the President of the Republic and the Government, headed by the Prime Minister. The President of the Republic is directly elected every five years and has mainly representative duties, while real political power lies with the Prime Minister and the Government. The Prime Minister is appointed by the parliament, the Seimas. The government consists of ministers who head various departments. A special feature of the Lithuanian presidency is that, in addition to representative functions, the president has certain veto powers and determines foreign policy.
In recent times, Lithuania has consolidated its position as a dynamic European state, promoting innovation, technology and education. Lithuania's history is a fascinating journey from royal rule through Soviet domination to freedom and modern development.
The legislature, the Seimas, is the parliament of Lithuania and is a unicameral system with 141 seats. Seimas members are elected every four years. The Lithuanian parliament is known for its vibrant democracy and the diversity of its political parties. It is a first-past-the-post system, with parties receiving seats in proportion to their share of the vote. A special feature is the proportional representation system for parties that received at least 5% of the vote, which promotes the representation of different political currents.
The Lithuanian judiciary is independent and consists of several levels. The Supreme Court is the highest court and rules on constitutional, civil and criminal cases. The Constitutional Court is responsible for reviewing the constitutionality of laws and plays an important role in ensuring the rule of law. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases. Judges are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Judicial Council.
Overall, Lithuania's political system is characterised by a democratic structure and a clear separation of powers. Lithuanian citizens have the right to elect their representatives and there are mechanisms to check and balance power. The political landscape is dynamic and the institutions are working to strengthen the principles of the rule of law and democratic participation.
Fill in the ETIAS application for Lithuania
For selected safe countries, only a passport is required to enter Lithuania. This will change with the introduction of ETIAS. The system is similar to the US ESTA. However, there are some differences that make it more convenient to use. For one thing, ETIAS is valid for three years instead of two. Another advantage is that a negative decision can be appealed. This is not possible with the ESTA. In most cases, the traveller is not even told why the ESTA has been refused.
Equally important is the care the traveller must take when completing the form. Firstly, an internet connection and a suitable terminal are required. A laptop or desktop computer is ideal. However, if you only have a mobile phone, you can use it to complete the application. If you do not have a mobile phone, computer or internet connection, you can still enter the Schengen area. The application can be completed by friends, acquaintances, relatives or an agency.
Your passport must be at hand when you complete the form. All details must be entered accurately. A mistake could result in the traveller not being allowed to enter the Schengen area.
An important question is which country the traveller enters first. For the first entry, the country of first entry applies. For subsequent visits to the Schengen area, this is no longer mandatory. Of course, travellers with a Schengen visa can move freely within the Schengen area.
An important part is the security questions. These must be answered truthfully. If a question is answered in the affirmative, the application will be re-examined. This can lead to delays in approval or rejection. ETIAs should not be applied for close to the time of travel, because if approval is not granted immediately, the trip may have to be cancelled, which is very expensive.
An important point that is often overlooked is that the ETIAS is not a guarantee of entry; it is a necessary condition, but if the border official believes that the traveller is a risk, he or she can and will refuse entry.
It only takes a few minutes to fill in the form. It ensures that only travellers who really want to enjoy the beauty of Europe or are on a business trip enter the country. Of course, there is no guarantee, but the likelihood of a terrorist attack is greatly reduced. By completing an ETIAS application, you are protecting yourself as well as other travellers and residents of the Schengen area.