Cadastral survey in Lithuania: when you need it, how it works, what it costs

A cadastral survey (kadastriniai matavimai) is how a land surveyor establishes the identity of a property, the coordinates of plot boundary turning points and buildings, their dimensions, area and other cadastral data. The result is a cadastral data file (kadastro duomenų byla). Without it, a property cannot be registered, sold or mortgaged. Only a specialist holding a land surveyor's qualification certificate may carry out cadastral surveys (Law on the Real Property Cadastre (Nekilnojamojo turto kadastro įstatymas), Article 11(1)).

UAB GEOMANAI carries out cadastral surveys of land plots, buildings, apartments, utility networks and engineering structures in Vilnius, Vilnius District and Vilnius County. The work is carried out by specialists holding land surveyor's qualification certificates.

Why is a cadastral survey needed in Lithuania?

Every land plot, building and apartment in Lithuania is recorded in the Real Property Register (Nekilnojamojo turto registras), kept by the State Enterprise Centre of Registers (VĮ Registrų centras). A cadastral survey is the way to create or update the boundaries, area and other data in that register. You will typically need one when you build, sell a plot in a city, divide or merge plots, or inherit property.

Types of cadastral survey

We survey five types of property. Each has its own page with more detail.

Land plot cadastral survey

Establishes the plot boundaries in the LKS-94 coordinate system, the area, land types, servitudes (easements) and special land use conditions. Needed when you sell a plot in a city or in a garden society (sodų bendrija), divide or merge plots, change the land use purpose, or when the plot was only surveyed provisionally. More about land plot surveys →

Building cadastral survey (inventory)

Measures the area, volume, height and completion level of a house, garden house or outbuilding and records the building materials. Needed to complete and register a new house, register an extension or legalise an old building. More about building surveys →

Apartment cadastral survey

All rooms are measured and an official apartment floor plan is prepared. Needed after a layout change or merging rooms, and when the apartment data are outdated or missing. More about apartment surveys →

Utility network cadastral survey

For registering water supply, sewerage, gas, heating, electricity and telecom networks. The as-built documentation of the network is required. More about utility network surveys →

Engineering structure cadastral survey

Roads, fences, yards, retaining walls, canopies and other structures. More about engineering structures (in Lithuanian) →

When is a cadastral survey required?

You need a cadastral survey whenever the official data of a property must be created or changed. The most common cases:

• You are registering a new structure in the Real Property Register or changing its cadastral data.
• You have built, reconstructed, repaired or converted a structure (a building, pond or road).
• You are dividing, partitioning, merging or re-dividing plots.
• You are changing the land use purpose.
• You are selling a plot in a city or in a garden society.
• The plot was surveyed only provisionally or not in the LKS-94 system.
• New structures have appeared on the plot, old ones have been demolished, a pond has been dug or a forest planted.
• A building has been demolished or physically damaged.

Cadastral (precise) survey vs provisional survey

In a cadastral survey, boundary points are fixed in the national LKS-94 coordinate system, so the boundaries can be restored precisely on the ground. For a plot surveyed only provisionally (preliminarūs matavimai), the area and boundaries on the ground may differ from those in the documents. In Lithuania, precise surveys are often colloquially called "geodetic surveys" (geodeziniai matavimai) — it is the same thing. More about all geodetic services: geodetic surveys.

How does a cadastral survey work?

The process has six steps, and we handle the paperwork with the Centre of Registers for you.

1. Enquiry and document check. Using the address or unique number (unikalus numeris) of the property, we check the register data and tell you whether a survey is needed.
2. Contract. We agree the price and deadline.
3. Notifying neighbours. For a plot survey, owners of adjacent plots are notified at least 10 calendar days in advance.
4. On-site survey. The land surveyor marks the boundaries or measures the structure.
5. Cadastral data file. We prepare the file and upload it to the Centre of Registers' "Matininkas" subsystem (posistemė „Matininkas“).
6. Check and registration. The Centre of Registers checks the file (since July 2025 this also applies to land plot files), and the data are then entered in the Real Property Register.

Surveys are carried out under the Rules for Establishing Cadastral Data of Immovable Things (Nekilnojamųjų daiktų kadastro duomenų nustatymo taisyklės), approved by Order No. D1-349 of the Minister of Environment.

How long does a cadastral survey take?

A land plot survey usually takes about 5 weeks from order to completion. A building or apartment file is ready about 2 weeks after the site visit.

• Notifying neighbours — at least 10 calendar days before the boundaries are marked.
• File check by the Centre of Registers — within 5 business days of receiving the application (Order No. D1-96 of the Minister of Environment of 30 June 2025; under the urgent procedure — within 1–3 business days).
• Registration by the Centre of Registers — usually 5–10 business days.
• Whole plot survey process — usually about 5 weeks. It takes longer if neighbours do not attend the boundary marking, as they are given 30 days to submit comments.
• Building or apartment file — about 2 weeks after the survey; from order to completion usually about 4 weeks (apartment) or 6–7 weeks (building).

How much does a cadastral survey cost?

The price depends on the property type, area, number of boundary turning points, land types, buildings on the plot, location, number of adjacent plots and urgency.

Larger buildings and apartments: about €1.21/m². Prices include VAT. Full price list: Prices.

What documents will you need?

Usually proof of ownership and any earlier survey documents. Send us what you have and we will tell you what is missing.

• An extract from the Real Property Register (Registrų centro išrašas) proving ownership.
• The earlier cadastral survey file or project (if there is one).
• A building permit (statybos leidimas) for new construction, or a municipal permit for reconstruction or repair.
• The land plot plan (žemės sklypo planas).

Missing a document? Call or email us and we will help you find a solution.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a cadastral survey cost?

A land plot survey (up to 2 ha) costs from €450, a building survey (up to 250 m²) €300 and an apartment survey (up to 200 m²) €240. Prices include VAT. We give an exact price once we have seen the property data.

Who can carry out a cadastral survey?

Only a specialist holding a land surveyor's qualification certificate. This is set out in the Law on the Real Property Cadastre.

What is the difference between a cadastral and a provisional survey?

In a cadastral survey, boundaries are fixed in the national LKS-94 coordinate system. For a provisionally surveyed plot, the area and boundaries on the ground may differ from the documents.

Can I sell a plot without a cadastral survey?

In most cases yes, if the plot is not in a city and not in a garden society. In cities and garden societies a survey is usually required.

When does a cadastral file need to be updated?

For a plot — when the land types have changed: structures were built or demolished, or a pond was dug. For a building — when its area or volume has changed, for example after reconstruction.

How can a plot be divided between co-owners?

There are two ways. A plan of agreed use (from €240) is quicker, but the co-owners remain co-owners. Dividing the plot into separate plots (from €1,500, from 12 months) gives each owner their own plot. More about plot division →

How long does a cadastral survey take?

Neighbours are notified at least 10 days in advance, the Centre of Registers checks the file within 5 business days, and registration takes 5–10 business days. We confirm the overall timeline when you place the order.

Do I need to be present during the survey?

Your presence is not required, but the owner or a person authorised by the owner must give the surveyor access to the premises or plot. The plot owners sign the boundary demarcation statement (ribų paženklinimo–parodymo aktas) and the plan themselves — with a simple signature, which can also be done later.

What is a cadastral file?

A set of documents with the property data, prepared by a land surveyor. Without it, a property cannot be registered, sold or mortgaged. More about the cadastral file (in Lithuanian).

Do you work outside Vilnius?

We mostly work in Vilnius, Vilnius District and Vilnius County. For other locations, call or email us.

What our clients say

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Order a cadastral survey

Call +370 603 45 805 (Mon–Fri 8:00–17:00) or email info@geomanai.lt with the property address or unique number. We aim to reply within 1–2 business days. Contact

Related services

• Land plot cadastral survey
• Building cadastral survey
• Apartment cadastral survey
• Plot division
• House completion
• Checking plot boundaries (in Lithuanian)
• Restoring boundary markers (in Lithuanian)
• Plan of agreed use of a co-owned plot (in Lithuanian)
• Servitudes (in Lithuanian)

Responsible for content:Julius Giedraitis — Director of UAB GEOMANAI, land surveyor and geodetic surveyor (qualification certificates No. 2M-M-1788, 1GKV-807) · Updated:11 November 2026