Kaunas Real Estate: Flats in Lithuania's Second City

Kaunas was Lithuania's interwar capital and is known for modernist architecture, a lively student population, basketball, and the Nemunas and Neris rivers. It has a pedestrian boulevard (Laisvės alėja) and an old town. Vilnius, the capital, is about an hour and a half away by road, with higher prices, while Panevėžys and Šiauliai are smaller northern cities, each a separate market.

Typical buyers are locals upgrading, students' parents buying a flat near the universities, and investors renting to the large student and young-worker population. Pre-war and interwar buildings in the centre have character but may need work on wiring and plumbing, while Soviet-era blocks differ widely in insulation and heating performance. Ask for the last two years of utility bills, check whether the building has a renovation programme under way and who pays for it, and confirm the plot and parking rights. For commercial listings (11 in our set), check the permitted use and any heritage restrictions.

Use the mortgage calculator to test purchases against local rental yields.

Lithuania charges no property transfer tax. Buyers pay notary fees and Real Property Register fees, and the deed is notarised. EU and NATO citizens can buy land freely, while other nationals face restrictions on land, so check your nationality with a lawyer. Review the building's management company, planned renovations and heating system (district heating is common). Energy performance matters for running costs in older blocks.

Our Lithuania buying guide, the financing page and the Lithuania overview explain more.