A reinstatement of citizenship of Lithuania is a process of a obtaining of citizenship of Lithuania for a person in one of the available ways.

Who Is Eligible for Lithuanian Citizenship Reinstatement?

A citizenship of Lithuania may be reinstated for a person, if such a person was a citizen of Lithuania prior to 15 June 1940. In addition, a citizenship of Lithuania may be reinstated for descendants of persons who were citizens of Lithuania prior to 15 June 1940. This provision is applicable to three generations of descendants, i.e. to children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Is Dual Citizenship Possible When Reinstating Lithuanian Citizenship?

If a person wishes to reinstate his/her citizenship of Lithuania, he/she can renounce a citizenship of the other state or choose a double (dual, multiple) citizenship. A dual citizenship may be granted in Lithuania in exceptional cases only, for example, to a person having left Lithuania prior to 11 March 1990 or was exiled as well as to descendants of such a persons, in marriage cases, adoption and otherwise. 

Reinstatement of Lithuanian Citizenship Without Renouncing Current Citizenship

The requirement to renounce citizenship of a different state is not applied to persons who can be citizens of both the Lithuania and a different state, in accordance with the Law on Lithuanian Citizenship article 7 subsections 2, 3, and 4, i.e.:

• the person who was exiled from the occupied Republic of Lithuania prior to 11 March 1990 and has acquired citizenship of a different state;
• the person who left Lithuania prior to 11 March 1990 and acquired citizenship of a different state;
• the person who is a descendant of a person mentioned above.

Conditions for Dual Citizenship 

• Lithuanian citizenship before 15 June 1940;
• departure from Lithuania before 11 March 1990; or
• exile from Lithuania before 11 March 1990.

Eligibility for Dual Citizenship 

The person was a Lithuanian citizen before 15 June 1940 or the person is a descendant (child, grandchild, great-grandchild) of a person who had Lithuanian citizenship before 15 June 1940 and the person or his/her ancestors (parents, grandparents or great-grandparents) left Lithuania before 11 March 1990 or were exiled.

Dual, multiple citizenship for descendants of Lithuanian citizens

Dual citizenship is possible for descendants of Lithuanian citizens if they are descendants of a person who was a citizen of Lithuania before 15 June 1940, i.e. the person's ancestors: father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, great-grandfather and (or) great-grandmother, or one of them was a citizen of Lithuania before 15 June 1940 or the person was a citizen of Lithuania before 15 June 1940 and left Lithuania before 11 March 1990, except for leaving for the former territory of the Soviet Union after 15 June 1940, or the person and (or) his ancestors were exiled from Lithuania before 11 March 1990.

If there is evidence that the person or his ancestors were citizens of Lithuania before 15 June 1940, and the person or his ancestors left Lithuania before 11 March 1990, except for leaving for the former territory of the Soviet Union after 15 June 1940, or the person and (or) his ancestors were exiled from Lithuania before 11 March 1990, a person has the right to apply for the reinstatement of Lithuanian citizenship without renouncing their current citizenship. In this case, dual or multiple citizenship is possible, when a person can become a Lithuanian citizen and retain the citizenship of his country or countries of which he is a citizen.

In other cases, Dual Citizenship in Lithuania can be Acquired by persons who: 

• gained Lithuanian citizenship and citizenship a different state by birth;
• gained a foreign citizenship by virtue of marriage to a citizen of a different state;
• provided they were adopted by a citizen (-s) of Lithuania before reaching 18 years of age and, as a result of the adoption, acquired Lithuanian citizenship;
• provided they, being citizens of Lithuania, were adopted by a citizen (-s) of a different state before reaching 18 years of age and, as a result of the adoption, acquired citizenship of that state;
• acquired Lithuanian citizenship by way of exception while being a citizen of a different state;
• acquired Lithuanian citizenship while having a refugee status in Lithuania;
• retained Lithuanian citizenship or who has citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania restored for his outstanding merits to the Republic of Lithuania;
• acquired citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania while having refugee status in the Republic of Lithuania;
• acquired Lithuanian citizenship by birth and acquired citizenship of another state until he turned 18 in other way than by birth.

Steps to Reinstate Lithuanian Citizenship:

• Collection of documents;
• Preparation of documents;
• Submission of documents to the Migration department;
• Making a decision;
• Issuance of a Lithuanian passport.

Searching for Documents in Lithuanian and German Archives

The process of preparation of documents for a reinstatement of citizenship of Lithuania starts from collection of the required data and documents. In case of lack of any data and documents, a search for them shall be carried out at Lithuanian and in some cases in German archives and other state institutions as well as other sources. If a search is arranged according to the established procedure, it continues for about a month, in some cases longer; in urgent cases, it may be completed within 5 workdays or within 10 workdays.

Document Requirements for Lithuanian Citizenship Reinstatement

After collection of the required documents, any documents executed in a language other than Lithuanian shall be translated into Lithuanian; copies of the documents shall be notarized. Documents issued in foreign states shall be certified by Apostille or legalized, unless otherwise is provided by international treaties of Lithuania or legal norms of the European Union.

Where to Submit Your Application?

The documents shall be submitted to the Migration Department of Lithuania or to a diplomatic mission or a consular institution of Lithuania in a foreign state.

Required Documents for Lithuanian Citizenship Reinstatement

A person shall submit the following documents:

• The application for reinstatement of citizenship of Lithuania completed in Lithuanian;
• The person’s identification document;
• The document certifying that the person was a citizen of Lithuania prior to 15 June 1940 or is a descendant of a person who was a citizen of Lithuania prior to 15 June 1940;
• A document evidencing the change of name or surname where such personal data have been changed;
• The document certifying that the person is not a citizen of another state, except of cases when the person may be simultaneously a citizen of another state;
• The documents certifying that at least one of the provisions specified in the Subparagraphs 2, 3 and 4 of the Article 7 of the Law of Republic of Lithuania is satisfied, if the person is a citizen of another state.

Lithuanian Citizenship Reinstatement: How Long Does It Take?

According to the relevant norms of Lithuania, a decision on reinstatement of citizenship of Lithuania shall be passed no later than within 6 months; in practice, the process may last for about 9-12 months and even longer in certain cases.

Free Legal Assessment for Lithuanian Citizenship Eligibility

FREE analysis of your options for obtaining Lithuanian citizenship

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 by clicking this link – FORM.

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.

Can I get free legal advice on Lithuanian citizenship?

Yes, to learn more about Lithuanian citizenship, the process of preparing and submitting documents to competent state institutions, or to order legal assistance, please contact us:

• Email: info@migration.lt 

• Phone: +37068563053

If you have any questions regarding Lithuanian citizenship or should you require more information or help, please contact us by e-mail: info@migration.lt or phone: + 370 6 1861886. We will gladly help you.