Press Release: Social insurance refund for hiring EU seafarers on Lithuanian ships

The European Commission on 22 March 2006 approved the introduction of a mechanism in Lithuania to refund employers’ social insurance contributions in respect of EU seafarers working on vessels carrying the Lithuanian flag. The mechanism allowed for the partial or full refund of employers contributions. The authorised scheme was to run from January 2006 to end 2011 and was expected to cost up to €4.63 million per annum.