On 20 January 2022, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania adopted the Law Amending Article 2 of the Republic of Lithuania Law on Citizenship No XI-1196, whereby it sets up the concept of a person who held citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania before 15 June 1940.
Moreover, Article 2 of the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania was amended by paragraph 11, which establishes that
“A person who held Lithuanian citizenship before 15 June 1940 shall mean a person who held citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania at any time prior to 15 June 1940. This concept shall not embrace individuals who have lost Lithuanian citizenship after carrying out the mandatory procedures provided for in the laws of the Republic of Lithuania and for whom decisions on the loss of Lithuanian citizenship stipulated in the laws of the Republic of Lithuania have been adopted.”
On 21 May 2021, the Commission of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania and the Lithuanian World Community adopted the Resolution “Regarding Announcement and Exercise of the Mandatory Referendum”, wherein it suggests to announce and organize a mandatory referendum regarding amendment of Article 12 of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, – retention of Lithuanian citizenship acquired by birth after acquiring citizenship of another state, – to be held in 2024 in tandem with the presidential election, in accordance with the procedure and terms laid down by laws of the Republic of Lithuania.
Lithuanian citizenship may be acquired on certain bases provided in the Law of Republic of Lithuania on citizenship. Lithuanian descent is one of the bases for acquisition of Lithuanian citizenship.
Lithuanian origin should not be equalized to Lithuanian citizenship. Lithuanian origin is related to the ethnicity, the national affiliation of a person, his (her) belonging to a certain nation, ethnos or another historically developed group of people with common characteristics, such as language, culture, religion and so on, attributed to them.
One of the ways in which Lithuanian citizenship may be acquired is a reinstatement of citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania. Lithuanian citizenship may be reinstated for a person, whose ancestors (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, or one of them) were citizens of Lithuania before 15 June 1940, or who himself/herself was a citizen of Lithuania before 15 June 1940.
Lithuania was established as an independent state in 1918. The first law regulating the institute of Lithuanian citizenship was the Provisional Law on Lithuanian Citizenship adopted on 09 January 1919. The Provisional Law on Lithuanian Citizenship dated 09 January 1919 establishes that the citizens of Lithuania shall be:
Lithuanians worldwidely celebrate this Day in their communities; however, it is celebrated for several years in turn also in Lithuania where various cultural events, expositions and concerts are arranged.
Lithuanian citizenship is a permanent legal relationship of a person with The Republic of Lithuania, based on mutual rights and obligations.
Lithuanian Citizenship is acquired by:
1. birth;
2. citizenship restoration;
3. being granted Lithuanian citizenship.
Dual (double) citizenship can be allowed in Lithuania in exceptional cases only.
The cases when dual citizenship is allowed in Lithuania include:
The lawyers of MIGRATION LAW CENTER offer a free legal analysis of your options for obtaining Lithuanian citizenship. To receive a detailed analysis, please complete an application form which you can find below.
Following a thorough legal analysis of your options that would allow to obtain Lithuanian citizenship, our lawyers will provide you with a written response (analytical results) regarding your options of obtaining Lithuanian citizenship and further requirements as well as procedure processes.