Lithuanian Passport by Descent

Overview

One of the clearest ways to obtain Lithuanian citizenship by descent is to confirm Lithuanian origin. This route is often referred to as repatriation. The applicant does not need to live in the country for years or go through the same lengthy naturalization process.

Under the standard naturalization route, a person must have legally resided in Lithuania for at least 10 years and hold permanent residence at the time of application. In cases involving Lithuanian citizenship through ancestry, these requirements do not apply.

When obtaining Lithuanian citizenship by ancestry, applicants are usually not required to:

• live in Lithuania before submitting the application;
• prove knowledge of the Lithuanian language;
• pass an exam on the Constitution;
• demonstrate income level or financial means.

Repatriation is considered one of the most accessible and practical options for those who can confirm their family’s connection to Lithuania.

Advantages of Lithuanian Citizenship

Lithuania attracts many applicants as a member of the European Union.

There, you can obtain a passport, and the full status of an EU citizen, and the following advantages:

• The possibility to live in any EU country without time restrictions;
• The right to work in the EU without a separate immigration status;
• Easier access to registering and running a business in Europe;
• Study at European universities on preferential terms;
• Broad opportunities for international travel;
• Access to social support and healthcare systems;
• The possibility of passing on citizenship of Lithuania to future children.

Conditions of the Repatriation Program to Lithuania

The Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania provides for two options for obtaining citizenship through ancestry:

• Under a simplified procedure;
• Through restoration of citizenship.

Both are based on Lithuanian origin but apply in different situations.

You can opt for the simplified procedure if you have Lithuanian roots but have never been a Lithuanian citizen. Parents or grandparents of Lithuanian origin can be the basis. You must provide supporting documents and comply with legal requirements to renounce your current citizenship. You can submit documents from within Lithuania and abroad.

Restoration of citizenship applies to those who held Lithuanian citizenship before June 15, 1940, as well as to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Who May Keep Their Current Citizenship?

If a person was deported from Lithuania between June 15, 1940, and March 11, 1990, or left Lithuania during that period to reside permanently abroad (except those who left for the territory of the former USSR), they may retain their current citizenship. This also applies to the children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren of such persons.

Citizenship is not granted to persons involved in crimes against the Lithuanian state, genocide, international aggression, war crimes, and other issues specified by law.

How to Obtain Lithuanian Citizenship Through Repatriation

• Step 1

  Determine the grounds

  You must first understand which option is suitable in your case: the simplified procedure applies if you have Lithuanian roots, but neither you nor your ancestors were citizens of Lithuania, restoration of citizenship applies if you or your ancestors held Lithuanian citizenship before June 15, 1940.

• Step 2

  Collect the documents

  To confirm the right to citizenship, official proof is required. This includes passports, certificates, archival records, civil status records, and documents confirming a change of name or surname.

  In Lithuania, you can obtain a certificate of the right to restore citizenship or a certificate of Lithuanian origin — these help confirm the grounds for submission.

  For the repatriation procedure, the required documents are usually as follows: an identity document; proof of relationship to an ancestor; papers confirming changes to personal data; translations and legalization of foreign documents.

  To restore citizenship, the applicant must prove that they or their ancestor held Lithuanian citizenship before June 15, 1940.

  For the simplified procedure, it is necessary to confirm Lithuanian origin through the line of parents, grandmother, or grandfather. In some cases, a criminal record certificate and a written declaration of belonging to the Lithuanian nation are also required.

• Step 3

  Submit the application via MIGRIS

  An application for citizenship by origin is submitted electronically through MIGRIS. Electronic copies of the documents are attached to the application form. Then, the applicant must schedule a personal visit to a Lithuanian consulate or embassy abroad or a migration office in Lithuania.

  During the personal visit, the original documents are usually presented.

• Step 4

  Wait for the decision

  The review period for an application for restoration of citizenship and preliminary supporting documents usually takes up to 6 months.

  Under the simplified procedure, the exact timeframe is less clearly defined. In practice, it is worth allowing additional time for review of the file, archival requests, and correction of deficiencies.

Conclusion

The procedure for getting Lithuanian citizenship by descent often proves more complicated than it seems at first. Mistakes in selecting the grounds, lack of archival evidence, discrepancies in surnames, and inaccuracies in the file may delay the review of the case or lead to refusal. In such matters, securing professional support in advance is reasonable.

Bimaris Law Firm provides comprehensive legal support in matters of applying for Lithuanian citizenship by descent, from analysis of family history and archival documents to preparation of the full file and assistance at all stages of the procedure.

Contact our team if you want to receive a clear list of required documents and an individual strategy for your specific case.