Lithuania proposes budget changes and maritime tax extensions

The Lithuanian government has presented the state budget project for the upcoming year, sparking debate over fiscal policy and national debt. Key concerns have emerged regarding the delay of social benefits, specifically the implementation of increased child care benefits for families opting for 1.5-year parental leave, which has been postponed for a year due to technical reasons.

In the cultural sector, uncertainty remains regarding the specific funding for the Media Support Fund and potential shortages for cultural infrastructure renovation projects.

Additionally, the Ministry of Transport has submitted a proposal to the Seimas to extend the tonnage tax scheme for another decade, until 2037. This tax system, which calculates tax based on vessel tonnage rather than actual profit, is intended to maintain the international competitiveness of shipping companies. The proposal also seeks to clarify conditions for vessel leasing within the same corporate group.