UNDERSTANDING LITHUANIA’S WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION LAW: A SIMPLIFIED GUIDE

Last Updated 28/10/25

What is whistleblowing?

‘Whistleblowing’ refers to the practice of providing information on wrongdoing such as fraud, abuse, corruption or risks to public health and safety. The first Law on the Protection of Whistleblowers entered into force 1 January 2019, and from 15 February 2022 a new version entered into force implementing Directive (EU) 2019/1937.

Key features of the whistleblower protection law

The Whistleblower Protection Law protects any person who reports on a breach at an institution with which they have or had a service, employment or contractual relationship (including consultants, volunteers and trainees). The law prohibits adverse effects not only on the person who submitted the report, but also on their family members employed in the same or subordinate entities and other persons who assist in reporting.

A relevant ‘wrongdoing’ can include something that person reasonably believes to be a criminal offence, administrative offence, failure to comply with legal obligations, a serious breach of mandatory standards of professional ethics, endangering the health and safety of individuals, fraud, violations in public procurement, financial services, money laundering and terrorist financing prevention, environmental protection and other areas, an attempt to conceal the offence in question, or any other offence which threatens or infringes the public interest.

Even if the information that the whistleblower shares turns out to be incorrect, they are still protected if they had a reasonable belief, it was true when they made the report. The law also outlines different rules for reporting violations internally, to the competent authority, or publicly.

Where and How to Report

Internal Reporting Channel

The law applies to both public and private entities, including branches of foreign legal entities or organisations. Companies with 50 or more employees are required to establish internal whistleblowing channels (while smaller companies may do so voluntarily unless they operate in specific high-risk sectors).

Employees can use their organization’s internal whistleblowing system based on approved procedures for reporting, investigating and informing individuals about. Reports are managed by designated persons, who must ensure confidentiality of the whistleblower’s identity and protection against potential negative effects related to the report.

Direct Report to the Competent Authority

If the violation significantly affects the public interest, if the management is involved, if internal reporting was ignored or ineffective, or if no internal reporting system exists, a person may report directly to the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Lithuania (the competent authority).

Public Report

Information about the violation may be made public in order to warn of an imminent danger to human life, public health, or the environment, when urgent action is needed to prevent such a threat and there is no time to report the violation in other ways, or when the necessary action was not taken in time after the violation was reported in other ways. A person who has publicly disclosed information about a violation must submit a request to the competent authority in order to obtain the guarantees applicable to whistleblowers under the law.

Measures to Protect Whistleblowers

To safeguard whistleblowers, it is essential to maintain the confidentiality of individuals who report on wrongdoing. The confidentiality requirement may be lifted only if the whistleblower requests it in writing or has knowingly submitted false information. Whistleblowers must clearly identify themselves with their name, personal identification number, or date of birth and contact details when making reports. Although anonymous reports can be made, in this case, individuals will receive protection under the law only if the identity of the reporting person has been revealed and it is necessary to protect them from negative consequences.

Key considerations

The law does not list specific penalties for obstructing reporting, but anyone who violates the law is liable under general Lithuanian law. Individuals who knowingly make false reports are liable in accordance with the procedure laid down by law. Whistleblowers who were involved in violations but report them may be exempt from liability under specific conditions set in the Criminal Code and the Law on Protection of Whistleblowers. Persons recognised by the competent authority as whistleblowers have the right to receive remuneration and/or compensation for valuable information or negative consequences suffered.

Other important information

Another important legal act related to whistleblower protection is the Government Resolution on the implementation of the Law on the Protection of Whistleblowers. It approves the procedure for rewarding whistleblowers for valuable information, the procedure for compensating whistleblowers for the negative impact or possible consequences experienced because of the report submitted, and the procedure for establishing internal channels for reporting violations and ensuring their functioning.

For advice or clarification before making a report, individuals can contact the Consultation Line of the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Lithuania.

Relevant links and more information

• Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania. Law on Protection of Whistleblowers.
• Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Lithuania Webpage Dedicated to the Protection of Whistleblowers.
• Transparency International Lithuania: Whistleblower protection.
• EU Whistleblowing Monitor Lithuania.