💶 Do I have to declare cash when crossing the border?

With conditions

Quick answer

It depends on the amount — cash of €10 000 or more must be declared, and the myth "they only check when you leave the EU" is false. Under EU Regulation (EU) 2018/1672 (applied since 3 June 2021), anyone carrying €10 000 or more (or the same in another currency) into Lithuania from third countries, or out of it to third countries, must declare it to customs on their own initiative, without being asked. Note: Lithuania also checks internal EU borders – on a customs request, such a sum must be declared when travelling between EU states too. "Cash" is not only banknotes: it also includes bearer-negotiable instruments, cheques and gold (coins and bullion). Most importantly, and often overlooked: the threshold is counted per person, and customs notifies the FCIS within 7 working days, so splitting the sum between travellers or hiding its origin does not pay off.

📋 The rules

A sum of €10 000 or more (or its equivalent in another currency) carried across the border must be declared
To or from third countries it is declared on your own initiative, without a separate customs request
Across internal EU borders such a sum must be declared on a customs request
"Cash" also covers cheques, bearer-negotiable instruments and gold, and unaccompanied (posted) money
The threshold is per person; customs reports declarations to the FCIS within 7 working days

🔓 Exceptions

For travel within the Schengen area a declaration is needed only on a customs request, but hiding or misstating the sum is forbidden
The threshold applies to the total sum carried; deliberately splitting it between several people to evade the rule is a breach
Not only euros must be declared, but any currency, precious metals or instruments whose total value reaches €10 000

⚠️ Penalties & fines

Undeclared cash can be detained right there at the border until its origin is clear. Failing to declare or making a false declaration brings administrative liability under the ANK, and the sum itself may be temporarily detained and examined. Often overlooked: even lawfully earned money, if undeclared, may be held by customs, with the data passed to the FCIS and the tax authority, raising further questions about the origin of the funds and taxes. If money laundering is suspected, a pre-trial investigation may be opened and the funds seized for longer. In practice the costliest mistake is to think "they did not ask, so I did not have to": the duty to or from third countries arises automatically, and CCTV and inspection records help customs prove that a sum was concealed.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-07-12

❓ Frequently asked

From what amount must I declare cash?

You must declare a sum of 10 000 euros or more, as well as the same value in another currency, in gold or in bearer-negotiable instruments. The threshold is counted per person, so each traveller is responsible for the sum they carry separately.

Do I have to declare when travelling within the EU?

When travelling between EU member states such a sum must be declared on a customs request, because Lithuania also controls the internal borders of the Union. To or from third countries the declaration is mandatory on your own initiative, without a separate request from a customs officer.

Do gold and cheques count as cash?

Yes, under the EU regulation cash covers not only banknotes and coins but also bearer-negotiable instruments, cheques and high-purity gold – coins and bullion. The 10 000 euro threshold is therefore reached by adding up the value of all these means.

What happens if I do not declare?

An undeclared sum can be temporarily detained, and the person faces administrative liability under the ANK. Customs passes the data to the Financial Crime Investigation Service within seven working days, so further questions about the origin of the funds and taxes may arise.

Can I avoid the threshold by splitting the money?

No, deliberately splitting the sum between several travellers or shipments to evade the rule is a breach. Customs assesses the total sum carried together, and trying to conceal or evade the duty only raises the risk that the funds will be detained and examined.

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