Lithuanian Citizenship by Descent at a Glance

Must have Lithuanian ancestor (parent or grandparent) who was Lithuanian citizen
Ancestor must not have lost their Lithuanian citizenship
Proof of lineage and citizenship required
182 visa-free destinations (84% world access)
EU citizenship with right to live and work across 27 EU countries + Switzerland
Beautiful Baltic location and growing economy

What Is Lithuanian Citizenship by Descent?

Lithuanian citizenship by descent allows individuals to claim Lithuanian citizenship based on their lineage from Lithuanian ancestors. This pathway represents Lithuania's commitment to maintaining connections with its global diaspora, estimated at over 1 million people worldwide who claim Lithuanian ancestry, compared to Lithuania's current population of 2.8 million.

The Lithuanian citizenship restoration program is rooted in recognizing the trauma and displacement caused by Soviet occupation, World War II, and the subsequent forced emigration of hundreds of thousands of Lithuanians. The program allows descendants of Lithuanian citizens to "restore" or reclaim citizenship that was lost through historical circumstances beyond their control.

What makes Lithuanian citizenship by descent particularly attractive is its remarkably fast processing time , approximately 2 months from application to approval, making it one of the quickest pathways to EU citizenship available. This efficiency reflects Lithuania's streamlined bureaucratic processes and commitment to reconnecting with its diaspora.

Lithuania's complex 20th-century history shaped its approach to citizenship. Understanding this history is essential to determining eligibility and navigating the application process.

Pre-1918: Lithuanian lands were part of the Russian Empire

1918-1940: Independent Republic of Lithuania (First Republic)

February 16, 1918: Lithuania declared independence
Democratic republic with its own citizenship laws
Period of Lithuanian statehood and culture
June 1940: Soviet Union occupied Lithuania
Lithuania became Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic
Devastation of Lithuanian Jewish community (Holocaust)
Lithuania forcibly incorporated into Soviet Union
Lithuanian citizenship subsumed under Soviet citizenship

March 11, 1990: Lithuania restored independence

First Soviet republic to declare independence
Restoration of Lithuanian citizenship separate from Soviet/Russian

2004: Lithuania joined the European Union

Critical Dual Citizenship Restriction

IMPORTANT: Lithuania has a unique and restrictive approach to dual citizenship that applicants must understand before applying:

When you obtain Lithuanian citizenship by descent, you are permitted to retain any citizenships you already hold at the moment of obtaining Lithuanian citizenship
For example, if you are a U.S. citizen and obtain Lithuanian citizenship, you can keep your U.S. citizenship
After obtaining Lithuanian citizenship, you cannot acquire citizenship of any other country without renouncing your Lithuanian citizenship
If you later become a citizen of another country, Lithuanian law considers you to have automatically lost your Lithuanian citizenship

Before Applying: Consider whether you might want to obtain citizenship in other countries in the future. If you plan to pursue additional citizenships, you should complete those first before applying for Lithuanian citizenship.

You must choose between keeping Lithuanian citizenship OR acquiring new citizenship in another country
You cannot have both Lithuanian citizenship and citizenship acquired after obtaining Lithuanian citizenship
Marriage to a foreign national does not automatically grant you their citizenship, but if you voluntarily naturalize in their country, you would lose Lithuanian citizenship

Exceptions Where You Can Keep Lithuanian Citizenship:

If you acquire citizenship of an EU member state or NATO member state through certain specific circumstances, there may be exceptions
Children born to Lithuanian citizens automatically have Lithuanian citizenship regardless of where born
Recent legislative changes have created some exceptions, but they are limited

Important: The restrictive nature of Lithuanian dual citizenship is a significant consideration. Many applicants find the benefits of EU citizenship outweigh the restriction, but it's essential to make an informed decision.

Lithuania's restrictive approach to dual citizenship reflects:

Concern about preserving Lithuanian national identity
Historical experience with occupation and loss of sovereignty
Desire to maintain strong ties between citizens and the state
Political considerations around loyalty and citizenship

However, Lithuania recognizes that descendants of Lithuanian emigrants deserve the right to reclaim their heritage, which is why citizenship by descent is permitted with the caveat that existing citizenships can be retained.