Residency is a specialty training course aimed at gaining a qualification and preparing for independent practice. The requirements for the implementation and supervision of residency study programmes are established by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.

The duration of the residency programme in medicine is 3-7 years. The duration of the residency programme in dentistry is 3 years. These study programmes are open only to graduates who have completed integral studies in a relevant field. The total theoretical and practical part of the residency shall not be less than 60 study credits per academic year.

Residency in medicine is a full-time study programme. Residency in dentistry can be either full-time or part-time. The residency study programme consists of a theoretical part (25 per cent) and the specialty practice of the resident doctor/dentist (hereinafter referred to as the resident) (75 per cent). These parts are linked by cycles with established objectives and expected learning outcomes (hereinafter referred to as a cycle).

Based on the national needs, the Ministry of Health estimates the number of doctors and dentists to be enrolled in relevant medical and dental residency study programmes and submits proposals to the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport. The number of state-funded residency places per higher education institution and specialty is approved by the Minister of Education, Science and Sport. Not later than one month before the start of the admissions to the residency programme, on their websites, universities publish the number of places available for respective medical and dental residency study programmes and a list of medical and dental residency facilities (hereinafter referred to as the “residency facilities”), where a respective residency programme is to be conducted.

The Ministry of Health enters into a contract with a university and a residency facility for the training of family doctors (GPs), medical or dental specialists. The contract provides for the allocation of state budget funding for residents’ salaries to the residency facility, the conditions for residents’ specialty training, the rights and obligations of the parties to the contract, and other contractual obligations. 

During the specialty practice of the residency study programme, the resident is employed as a resident in the residency base. During the practical training, the resident acquires specific skills and clinical experience related to the practice of medicine or dentistry.

Admissions to the residency study programmes in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine at Vilnius University and Lithuanian University of Health Sciences take place at the same time. Applications for centralised admissions to residency studies can only be submitted online via the online system for admissions to Lithuanian higher education institutions (LAMA BPO).

For more information on the procedure for admissions to residency programmes, please visit the websites of higher education institutions.