As of early February 2025, Russian citizens legally own more than 9,000 properties in Lithuania, mainly in Vilnius, Visaginas, and Klaipėda. Many of these properties stand empty as Lithuanian travel bans on Russians and banking sanctions make visits and real estate transactions difficult. Real estate agents report that while Russian owners hope sanctions and travel restrictions will be lifted to return, selling properties remains complicated due to challenges in banking transactions, especially with Russian banks cut off from SWIFT. Lithuanian parliament’s 2022 cash payment restrictions further complicate transactions. Officials and industry representatives state these obstacles prove the effectiveness of sanctions targeting unfriendly countries like Russia.

As of early February 2025, Russian citizens legally own more than 9,000 properties in Lithuania, mainly in Vilnius, Visaginas, and Klaipėda. Many of these properties stand empty as Lithuanian travel bans on Russians and banking sanctions make visits and real estate transactions difficult. Real estate agents report that while Russian owners hope sanctions and travel restrictions will be lifted to return, selling properties remains complicated due to challenges in banking transactions, especially with Russian banks cut off from SWIFT. Lithuanian parliament’s 2022 cash payment restrictions further complicate transactions. Officials and industry representatives state these obstacles prove the effectiveness of sanctions targeting unfriendly countries like Russia.