A declaration of completion of construction is one of the most important documents in the construction process—it confirms that a building or part of a building has been constructed properly, in accordance with all legal requirements, and can be used legally. Without this declaration, even a completely finished house may be considered “unauthorized” and cannot be used for its intended purpose.
This process applies to most structures, from simple buildings to individual residential houses. However, the procedure for submitting the declaration and whether it is necessary depends on the type of building, its percentage of completion, whether a building permit was required, and other factors.
What is a declaration of completion of construction
A declaration of completion of construction is a document signed by the builder (or their authorized representative) confirming that the building (or part thereof) has been constructed in accordance with all legal acts and design solutions and is suitable for use. This document is an alternative to the construction completion certificate when it is not required (i.e., when the building is not classified as a special or unfinished public building).
The declaration is considered valid only if it is submitted through the INFOSTATYBA system and meets all the requirements set out in the Construction Law and related subordinate legislation.
“A declaration of completion of construction is not a formality, but a necessary condition for legalizing construction and registering it with the Register Center.” – Construction and architecture expert Tomas Zubrickas
When is it necessary to submit a declaration of completion?
A declaration of completion of construction is required when the construction process is nearing completion and the building already meets the requirements for its intended use. However, it is not always mandatory – the requirement depends on the type of building, the existence of a building permit, and the level of completion.
A declaration of completion of construction is usually completed:
- when a simple structure is being built that does not require a building permit, but whose construction has been fully completed;
- when the building is non-special, non-engineering, and a building permit has been obtained, but a construction completion certificate is not required for completion;
- when the house is 100% complete, all engineering systems are operational, the environment is tidy, and it meets the requirements for its intended use.
If the building is classified as special, or is being built for the state or municipality, then instead of a declaration, a construction completion certificate is required, which is drawn up with the participation of a competent commission.
How to complete and submit the completion declaration
The completion declaration is a document in which the builder officially confirms that the building is fully completed and meets all the requirements set out in the legislation. Completing and submitting it correctly is an essential step towards the legal use of the building.
Electronic completion in the INFOSTATYBA system
The construction completion declaration is completed via the INFOSTATYBA system, which is administered by an authorized institution appointed by the Ministry of the Environment. You can log in via the Electronic Government Gateway using your electronic signature or bank ID.
The system allows you to:
- select the object for which the declaration is being completed;
- fill in all the required fields and specify the documents;
- add the necessary attachments (a copy of the building permit, photos, project documentation, energy performance certificate, etc.).
When submitting a declaration, the following documents are usually required:
- A copy of the building permit (if required);
- Project documentation with changes made during construction marked (if any);
- Energy performance certificate, if required for the type of building;
- Certificate of construction without significant deviations, if minor changes to the project design have been made;
- Excerpt from the land plot plan with the location of the building marked.
Confirmation
The declaration must be signed by the builder or their authorized representative. After submission, the system automatically forwards the documents to the State Territorial Planning and Construction Inspectorate, which reviews them. If there are no comments, the completion declaration is considered accepted, and the building is eligible for use.
“The most important thing is to check that all documents are properly prepared before filling out the declaration. Even a minor error can prolong the process,” says Rasa Bieliauskienė, construction law consultant.
What you need to know before submitting a construction completion declaration
The construction completion stage is not just a formality, but a crucial step after which the building can be legally used. However, mistakes are often made at this stage, which delay the process or require documents to be resubmitted.
The most common mistakes made by builders
- Incomplete documentation
- Important documents are forgotten, ranging from certificates for the installation of engineering networks to information about minor changes made.
- Deviations from the project not indicated in the declaration
- Even minor deviations from the project (e.g., a changed window location) must be noted and formalized. If you do not indicate them, additional explanations may be required.
- Incorrect completion level
- Builders often rush to declare 100% completion, even though some work is still unfinished (e.g., fence, yard landscaping). This can be an obstacle to registration.
- Inaccuracies when filling out the declaration in the INFOSTATYBA system
- If the project numbers or other data are entered incorrectly, the system may reject the declaration and the process will have to be started again.
How to prepare and avoid mistakes?
Before submitting the declaration of completion of construction:
- Check that all the necessary documents have been prepared in accordance with the instructions on planuojustatu.lt.
- Make sure that any minor changes to the project have been formalized (if any).
- If you have any doubts about the completeness of the project, use the option of partial submission instead of rushing to declare 100%.
- If you have any questions, contact the responsible designer or architect—they can confirm the accuracy of the documents before the declaration.
Need help?
The construction submission process requires knowledge and attention to detail. If you have questions, are missing documents, or are simply unsure about the process, the stav.lt team is here to help. We provide consultations, check documentation, and help you reach your goal faster—the legal completion of your construction project.