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Flying the flag of support to Ukraine in Kaunas, Source: Kaunas Municipality

Kaunas opens the way for Ukrainian refugees to start their own business in the city

Kaunas opens the way for Ukrainian refugees to start their own business in the city

The business license fee will be pretty much scrapped for this group of people

The Lithuanian city of Kaunas has already received more than 7,500 Ukrainians fleeing from their war-ravaged country. Although they can have access to state welfare and social services, many of these people, who are of working age and who do not see a possibility of a quick return back home, would like to get employed and earn their own income, including by starting their own business.

For this purpose, the City Council of Kaunas has decided to do away with 99% of the fees required for obtaining a business license locally.

We aim to make an even greater contribution so that people can stand on their feet. A few hundred euros for a war refugee is big money, so there is a nearly 100 percent tax exemption for business licenses. This will allow (people) to engage in independent activities in Kaunas or in the whole country, to provide services according to their qualifications," said Deputy Mayor Andrius Palionis.

Supporting the entrepreneurial drive of refugees

If a person chooses to carry out business activities on the territory of Kaunas, the annual fees may vary from 200 to 580 euros. For those who decide to provide services throughout the country, except for major cities, the fixed annual fee is 525 euros, and if not limiting the area of ​​activity, it goes up to 684 euros.

According to the data of the Employment Service, over 500 Ukrainians of working age are registered in Kaunas County. Another 310 refugees are already working on fixed-term or open-ended contracts.

The city, thus, offers a 99 percent discount for all activities that require a business license to war refugees from Ukraine, who have a temporary residence permit in Lithuania, a national visa, or an ILTU code issued by the Migration Department. The license covers almost 90 different service and manufacturing areas. These include the sale of food or handicrafts, beauty, translation and a wide range of other services.

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