State language exam · category I (A2)

The Lithuanian state language exam (A2): a complete guide

What the exam for a permanent residence permit and citizenship looks like, how it is scored, how to register and what to bring. Every fact below links to the official source.

Last checked against NŠA sources: 30 September 2026

The essentials

3 parts: reading and writing, listening, speaking
Test 1 h 55 min (10:00–11:55), speaking 12–14 min from 13:00 the same day
You need A2 in every part. One part at A1 makes the whole result A1
Permanent residence or citizenship: €57 (booked on migracija.lt); other candidates: €52 on eksternams in 2026
Results within 15 working days of the exam
Bring an identity document and arrive 30 minutes early

Sources: [1] (opens in a new tab), [3] (opens in a new tab), [4] (opens in a new tab), [6] (opens in a new tab), [7] (opens in a new tab), [8] (opens in a new tab)

Who needs this exam

The state language exam programme is for people applying for Lithuanian citizenship or for a permanent residence permit (leidimas nuolat gyventi) who are required by law to pass it. Both routes need category I, which the programme equates with level A2.

This page does not cover exemptions. Whether you are exempt depends on your case; check with the Migration Department before you book.

Sources: [3] (opens in a new tab), [5] (opens in a new tab)

Format: three parts

Parts 1 and 2 are taken on a computer at an exam centre (bazinė mokykla). Part 3 is a face-to-face conversation with examiners.

1. Reading and writing
Time
1 h 30 min (10:00–11:30)
Tasks
9
Points
50
A1 needs
13 of 22 (tasks 1–4)
A2 needs
17 of 28 (tasks 5–9)
2. Listening
Time
25 min (11:30–11:55)
Tasks
4
Points
20
A1 needs
6 of 10 (tasks 1–2)
A2 needs
6 of 10 (tasks 3–4)
3. Speaking
Time
12–14 min (from 13:00)
Tasks
3 situations + personal questions
Points
10
A1 needs
5 points, with 2 points in at least two situations
A2 needs
6 points, and your best two situations add up to at least 5

Part	Time	Tasks	Points	A1 needs	A2 needs
1. Reading and writing	1 h 30 min (10:00–11:30)	9	50	13 of 22 (tasks 1–4)	17 of 28 (tasks 5–9)
2. Listening	25 min (11:30–11:55)	4	20	6 of 10 (tasks 1–2)	6 of 10 (tasks 3–4)
3. Speaking	12–14 min (from 13:00)	3 situations + personal questions	10	5 points, with 2 points in at least two situations	6 points, and your best two situations add up to at least 5

In parts 1 and 2 you can only reach A2 if you have also reached A1 in that part.
A candidate up to 20 minutes late may still start the test, but gets no extra time. For speaking the limit is 5 minutes.
NŠA words the speaking A2 requirement as “6 points, with 5 points from at least two situations”. We read it as your best two situations adding up to at least 5, which is what NŠA’s own examples below show.

How the speaking part runs

Two examiners: one talks with you and gives 0–1 points for the whole part; the other scores each of the three situations 0–3. Your answers are recorded.
Part 1 (2–3 min): general personal questions.
Part 2 (4–5 min): one task, with 1 minute to prepare.
Part 3 (2 × 2 min): two tasks, each with 1 minute to prepare.

Sources: [4] (opens in a new tab), [6] (opens in a new tab), [7] (opens in a new tab)

Scoring: A2 in every part

There is no overall percentage. Each part is scored on its own, and the final result is decided by the weakest part.

A2 in all three parts: the final result is “A2 level”.
At least one part at A1: the final result is “A1 level”.
At least one part failed: the final result is “failed”.

For a residence permit this matters: NŠA says people who took the exam for a permanent residence permit and reached only A1 are not issued an A1 certificate.

NŠA’s speaking examples

The same total can give different results. These are NŠA’s own four examples: 6 points is A2 only when one situation scored 3.

No. 1: 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 5No level
No. 2: 1 + 2 + 2 + 0 = 5A1
No. 3: 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 6A1
No. 4: 1 + 3 + 2 + 0 = 6A2
Interviewer (0–1) + Situation 1 + Situation 2 + Situation 3

No.	Interviewer (0–1)	Situation 1	Situation 2	Situation 3	Total	Result
1	1	2	1	1	5	No level
2	1	2	2	0	5	A1
3	1	2	2	1	6	A1
4	1	3	2	0	6	A2

Sources: [4] (opens in a new tab)

Registration and fee

For a permanent residence permit or citizenship

NŠA sends residence and citizenship candidates to E-Migris on migracija.lt. You need a Lithuanian personal code (asmens kodas).
After booking, press “Make your payment”. A candidate who has not paid is not put on the exam list.
You sit the exam at the exam centre of the municipality where you live. If it is full, choose the nearest other one.

Through eksternams.nsa.smm.lt

NŠA’s FAQ tells candidates to register on eksternams.nsa.smm.lt.
Registration opens 30 days before the exam and closes 7 days before it.
The fee in 2026 is €52.

The €52 above is the fee when booking on eksternams. Permanent-residence and citizenship candidates book through migracija.lt, where NŠA’s leaflet gives €57. Pay the amount shown when you book.

Sources: [1] (opens in a new tab), [2] (opens in a new tab), [3] (opens in a new tab), [8] (opens in a new tab)

Results and certificate

Results are announced no later than 15 working days after the exam.
NŠA issues certificates within 7 working days of the results; the exam centre hands them out within 3 working days of receiving them.
Residence and citizenship candidates find out their result by calling the exam centre where they sat the exam.

Sources: [1] (opens in a new tab), [3] (opens in a new tab)

On the day

Bring a document that proves your identity.
Arrive 30 minutes before the start. Candidates are let in from 9:45.
10:00–11:30 reading and writing, then 11:30–11:55 listening. When you finish reading and writing, you press “Tęsti” (Continue) and go on to listening.
Speaking starts at 13:00. Candidates go in one at a time, at the time on the schedule by the door.

Sources: [1] (opens in a new tab), [3] (opens in a new tab), [6] (opens in a new tab), [7] (opens in a new tab)

How to prepare

Start by finding your level, then practise in the exam’s own format.

The A2 course and the mock exams may become paid later.

NŠA’s own free practice test

NŠA offers a free practice test for the A1–A2 exam on eksternams. It runs in the same system as the real test, so it is the best way to get used to the screens.

Open NŠA’s practice test

Common questions

Is this the same exam as “category I”?

Yes. NŠA’s exam programme for residence and citizenship candidates says the exam corresponds to the category I state language proficiency exam and to level A2.

What happens if I get A2 in two parts and A1 in the third?

The final result is A1. You need A2 in all three parts. NŠA says people who took the exam for a permanent residence permit and reached only A1 are not issued an A1 certificate.

How much does the exam cost?

Permanent-residence and citizenship candidates book through migracija.lt; NŠA’s leaflet gives €57. Other candidates book on eksternams, where the 2026 fee is €52. Pay the amount shown when you book.

When can I register?

On eksternams.nsa.smm.lt registration opens 30 days before the exam and closes 7 days before it. Residence and citizenship candidates book through E-Migris on migracija.lt.

When will I get my result?

No later than 15 working days after the exam. NŠA then issues the certificate within 7 working days, and the exam centre hands it out within 3 working days of receiving it.

Does a Lithuanian course certificate count instead of the exam?

No. NŠA says a course completion certificate is not equal to the state language certificate; you still take the exam.

Should I take the language exam or the Constitution exam first?

NŠA’s leaflet for residence and citizenship candidates recommends passing the state language exam first.

Is there an official practice test?

Yes. NŠA’s free practice test for the A1–A2 exam is on eksternams.nsa.smm.lt/exam-levels.

Sources