Foreigners who prove that they have parents in Lithuania can apply for Lithuanian citizenship. The same goes for those who were born in a foreign country but whose parents are from Lithuania. But even foreign citizens living in Lithuania for a certain period of time can apply for citizenship and gain this status through naturalization. Find out from our immigration lawyers in Lithuania what the steps are to follow in this process in 2026, and how you can get legal help for the whole process.
| Short facts | |
|---|---|
| Main citizenship route | Through naturalization, after 10 years of residency in Lithuania |
| Legislation | Citizenship Law in Lithuania |
| Authority in charge | Lithuanian Migration department, part of the Ministry of Interior |
| Requirements | – proof of residency, – birth & marriage certificates, – proof of income, – police clearance, etc. |
| Residency conditions | Having permanent residency in Lithuania and living in the country for at least 6 months per year |
| Special cases | Automatic citizenship is offered to persons who were obliged to leave the country due to a particular social context. |
| Language requirements | Imposed. Tests & interviews are compulsory. |
| Verification of criminal records | By the immigration authorities when the citizenship application starts. |
| Citizenship by marriage in Lithuania | Application is done after 7 years of living in Lithuania |
| Citizenship by birth in Lithuania | If the applicant has Lithuanian parents |
| Stateless persons in Lithuania | Can apply for citizenship after living in Lithuania for at least 5 years under “stateless person” status. |
| Citizenship by descent in Lithuania | If the candidates present proof of existing parents, grandparents or great-grand parents of Lithuanian origins. |
| Citizenship by investments in Lithuania | Not a direct route. Naturalization is the main path for getting Lithuanian citizenship. |
| Starting a business in Lithuania | A proper option to get residency and then citizenship. |
| Working with our lawyers in Lithuania | For tailored and comprehensive legal advice in a citizenship application case. Affordable costs are provided to our foreign customers interested in immigration-related services. |
Table of Contents
Steps for obtaining Lithuanian citizenship by descent
According to the Lithuanian Nationality Law, foreigners interested in this status must consider the eligibility criteria, including:
- You can claim Lithuanian citizenship by proving three generations of family ancestry in this country. It is enough to have a great-grandfather to apply for citizenship.
- If your ancestor left Lithuania before 1990, then you are eligible to apply for Lithuanian citizenship.
- Those who lived in Lithuania between 1918 and 1940 can also apply for citizenship in Lithuania.
Although the application process for Lithuanian citizenship is quite simple, some situations can be complicated, especially for those who have ancestors who lived in Vilnius when it was occupied by Poland. Therefore, it is better to seek the help and legal advice provided by our lawyer in Lithuania. We are here to help you in your approach and to offer you the best solutions to be able to obtain Lithuanian citizenship. Please talk to us about the Lithuanian citizenship application in 2026.
How can I obtain Lithuanian citizenship by naturalization in 2026?
Foreigners permanently residing in Lithuania are good candidates for Lithuanian citizenship applications. There are several formalities and rules, which we review in the following lines:
- Applicants with permanent residence in Lithuania must not be absent from the country for more than 6 months per year.
- Basic knowledge of the Lithuanian language is required.
- Applicants must submit information on a stable income.
- The authorities reserve the right to check and request a clear criminal record. Those who have had problems with the law cannot apply for Lithuanian citizenship.
- Applicants must agree in writing to renounce the nationality of another country.
- Those married to a Lithuanian citizen can apply for citizenship after 7 years of living in this country. In other cases, applicants may apply after 10 years of permanent residence in Lithuania.
Find out more about Lithuanian citizenship from our immigration lawyers in Lithuania. They can help you with the required formalities and also represent your interests, as they know the provisions of the Lithuanian Nationality Law.
Below is a video presentation we have prepared with information on this topic:
Documents required for Lithuanian citizenship in case of marriage
As mentioned above, foreigners who marry Lithuanian citizens who have already lived in Lithuania for 7 years can apply for citizenship by naturalization. The procedure is not complicated, but you need to pay attention to the necessary documents. In addition to a clear criminal record, a valid passport, and a marriage certificate, applicants must also present a permanent residence permit in Lithuania, a document attesting to basic knowledge of the Lithuanian language, an act stating that there is no other citizenship involved, plus a standard form with personal information.
You should not worry about the formalities in this case because a Lithuanian lawyer can help you with them, and you can be guaranteed that the application will not be rejected. We can help you with complete details about immigration to Lithuania.
Lithuanian citizenship by birth
Another way you can get Lithuanian citizenship is by birth. This is where people with Lithuanian parents who were born in another country come into play. All you have to consider is to present the birth certificate of your parents and also yourself and to respect the formalities imposed by this state. Please note that the entire process can be supervised by our experienced immigration attorneys.
About Lithuania’s immigration in a few lines
Lithuania is one of the European countries that has received under temporary protection, numerous citizens from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. However, the authorities and especially the Migration Department managed to reject the residence permit applications of over 35 Russian citizens. Here is some more information about immigrants living in Lithuania:
- About 217,988 foreign citizens were living in Lithuania legally, according to data for 2024 provided by the Migration Department.
- Approximately 77,000 Ukrainians were living in Lithuania in 2024.
- More than 57,500 Belarusians were in Lithuania in 2024.
- Of the total population of Lithuania, about 7.52% are immigrants.
- The Lithuanian authorities issued around 78,000 temporary residence permits in the first 6 months of 2024.
What’s new on Lithuanian citizenship in 2026?
Ready to apply for citizenship in Lithuania? Here are some important updates to consider for 2026:
- Starting in 2026, the Lithuanian Migration Department has examined citizenship applications of Russian citizens who frequently traveled to/from Russia and/or Belarus. Many of the residency permits of such citizens have been revoked, making them unable to reach citizenship.
- The “digital oath” pilot program in Lithuania has been launched, which allows the oath of citizenship online for applicants from overseas.
- In Lithuania, citizenship by descent can be obtained in a maximum of 9 months, while the naturalization process can take up to 12 months.
- Those born abroad to Lithuanian parents can apply for citizenship starting at the age of 18, regardless of their status at the time of application.
Have you decided to apply for citizenship in Lithuania? Do not hesitate to collaborate with our lawyers and find out what steps to follow in this endeavor. We invite you to contact our law firm in Lithuania to find out more about Lithuanian citizenship and the formalities for 2026.