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Lithuania real estate: Unmarried couples face legal risks in joint property purchases
As marriage rates in Lithuania decline, more unmarried couples are jointly purchasing real estate and taking out shared mortgages. According to State Data Agency statistics, the number of marriages fell from approximately 22,000 in 2015 to about 13,000 in 2025, representing a nearly 41% decrease.
Marijonas Chmieliauskas, sales director at the real estate company Realco, noted that since 2021, roughly one in five properties purchased by couples in their projects were bought by unmarried partners. The trend varies by project type; for instance, unmarried couples made up 8% of joint buyers in the 'Algirdo 3' project compared to 22% in the 'Prie Vilnelės' project.
Legal expert Arvydas Budnikas warns that the lack of prior written agreements often leads to complex disputes when relationships end. Common issues include disagreements over property ownership shares, compensation for unequal initial investments, and responsibility for ongoing mortgage payments.
Entities
Arvydas Budnikas · Lithuania · Marijonas Chmieliauskas · Realco
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Approximately 20% of properties purchased by couples in Realco projects since 2021 were bought by unmarried partners. salcininku.info · www.moletuzinios.lt · siauliu.info
- [● 3 SOURCES] Lawyer Arvydas Budnikas advises unmarried couples to reach a written agreement regarding property division and investment differences before purchasing real estate. salcininku.info · www.moletuzinios.lt · siauliu.info
- [● 3 SOURCES] Unmarried couples accounted for 8% of joint purchases in the 'Algirdo 3' project and 22% in the 'Prie Vilnelės' project. salcininku.info · www.moletuzinios.lt · siauliu.info
- [● 3 SOURCES] The number of marriages in Lithuania decreased from approximately 22,000 in 2015 to approximately 13,000 in 2025. salcininku.info · www.moletuzinios.lt · siauliu.info