Dual Citizenship in Lithuania (2023)

Dual Citizenship in Lithuania (1)

Dual (double) citizenship can be allowed in Lithuania in exceptional cases only.

The cases when dual citizenship is allowed in Lithuania include:

1. A person was deported from occupied Lithuania prior to 11 March 1990 or is a descendant (a child, a grandchild or a great-grandchild) of a person deported from occupied Lithuania prior to 11 March 1990;
2. A person left Lithuania prior to 11 March 1990 or is a descendant (a child, a grandchild or a great-grandchild) of a person having left Lithuania prior to 11 March 1990;
3. A child acquires dual citizenship at birth;
4. Child-adoption cases;
5. Marriage cases;
6. Acquisition of citizenship of Lithuania in exceptional cases or by a person having a status of a refugee.

(Video) Lithuanian-American family discusses possible dual citizenship opportunity.

A person deported from occupied Lithuania prior to 11 March 1990 is a person compulsorily at a decision of a court or other institutions deported from Lithuania (sent to a concentration camp, imprisoned or deported for forced labour etc.) for resistance to the occupation regimes or because of political, social or origin-related reasons (or a descendant of such a person); the said provisions are applicable to a descendant of such a person. If such a person was a citizen of Lithuania prior to 15 June 1940 or is a descendant (a child, a grandchild or a great-grandchild) of a person who was a citizen of Lithuania prior to 15 June 1940, he (she) may be allowed to be provided a dual citizenship.

A person (who was a citizen of Lithuania prior to 15 June 1940) having left Lithuania prior to 11 March 1990, or his (her) descendents having left the territory of today Lithuania for another state prior to 11 March 1990, if their country of permanent residence was out of Lithuania on 11 March 1990. This definition is not related to persons having left the territory of Lithuania for the territory of the formed Soviet Union after 15 June 1940.

In course of growing of migration flows from Lithuania and the number of marriages concluded by and between citizens of Lithuania and citizens of foreign states, the number of children with dual citizenship is growing as well.According to the current legislation of Lithuania, a child has the right to be a citizen of Lithuania and a citizen of another state if he or she acquired Lithuanian citizenship by birth (one or both parents were citizens of Lithuania at birth) and the citizenship of another state was acquired by birth or the citizenship of another state was acquired under 18 years old not by birth.

In case of a marriage, a person got married to an alien may have a dual citizenship, if the person was automatically granted a citizenship of the state of residence of the spouse after registration of the marriage with the citizen of the foreign state. Such practice of naturalization is more typical for Islamic states where no supplemental formalities are required for granting the citizenship and the only fact of registration of marriage is sufficient. Such persons are not required to renounce the citizenship of another country.

A person (being a citizen of Lithuania) may be adopted by a citizen or citizens of a foreign state and acquire a citizenship of the foreign state. A citizen or citizens of Lithuania may adopt a person that is a citizen of a foreign state.A citizen of Lithuania can also be a citizen of another state if he:
1. a person who is adopted by a citizens (citizen) of Lithuania under the age of 18 and as a result has acquired Lithuanian citizenship;
or
2. a person is a citizen of Lithuania if he was adopted by citizens (citizen) of another state before reaching the age of 18 and as a result acquired the citizenship of another state.

(Video) Lithuanian dual citizenship (restoration)

More rare cases of dual citizenship in Lithuania are related to exceptional granting the citizenship of Lithuania to some persons for certain merits for Lithuania or to those provided a status of a refugee.

The process of preparation of the documents for dual citizenship in case of reinstatement of citizenship of Lithuania shall be started from collection of the required documents and search for the lacking ones. Such a search is often carried out at archives of Lithuania. The search for documents at Lithuanian archives may continue for from 5 to 30 workdays. After collection of the required documents, they shall be certified according to the procedure provided in laws and their translation shall be carried out, if the language of the documents is other than Lithuanian. 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.

The principal documents to be submitted for a reinstatement of citizenship of Lithuania:

1. The application completed in Lithuanian;
2. The passport;
3. The documents 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;
4. The evidences of the circumstances proving the person to be eligible for dual citizenship;
5. The documents certifying the family connections;
6. A document evidencing the change of name or surname where such personal data have been changed.

The documents certifying that the person was a citizen of Lithuania prior to 15 June 1940 may be following:

(Video) How to get Lithuania second citizenship by descent

1. Lithuanian passports issued before 15 June 1940;
2. Documents certifying military service of the person in Lithuanian army or civil service in Lithuania;
3. Certificates of Birth or other documents where the citizenship is specified;
4. Any certificates issued in Lithuania before 15 June 1940 or certificates issued on the base of documents issued before 15 June 1940.
If the above-listed documents are absent, documents on education, employment or living in Lithuania issued before 15 June 1940 shall be provided.

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

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 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.

(Video) Lithuanian citizenship FAQ

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.

Read more:

Reinstatement of Lithuanian citizenship
Granting the citizenship of Lithuania according to the simplified procedure
Certificate of Lithuanian descents
A certificate certifying a right for reinstatement of the citizenship of Lithuania
A citizenship of children
Dual children citizenship
The citizen of a spouse (a husband or a wife)
Lithuanian citizenship through the ethnic descent
Lithuanian Citizenship for Persons Having Lithuanian Ancestry. Lithuanian Citizenship for Descendants of Lithuanians
Citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania for those exiled from Lithuania. Dual citizenship in Lithuania
Lithuanian citizenship. Reinstatement of Lithuanian Citizenship without renouncing existing one (Dual Citizenship)
Lithuanian passport. Order of issuing and deadlines
Retention of dual citizenship in the case of the departure from Lithuania after 11 March 1990
Oath of Allegiance to the Republic of Lithuania
Reinstatement of Lithuanian citizenship and service in Lithuanian armed forces. Military service in Lithuania
For reinstatement of citizenship of Lithuania, it is necessary to retain citizenship of Lithuania on 1940 06 15
The Jews (Litvaks) and other emigrants who left Lithuania during the interwar period and their descendants will be able to reinstate Lithuanian citizenship or acquire double citizenship without bureaucratic obstacles

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

FAQs

Dual Citizenship in Lithuania? ›

Currently, the law on citizenship allows dual citizenship only in exceptional cases for those whose ancestors left Lithuania before its independence from the Soviet Union 1990, but still had Lithuanian citizenship in 1940.

Can a US citizen have dual citizenship with Lithuania? ›

As per the Constitution of Lithuania, citizenship of Lithuania is acquired at birth. No person can be a citizen of another country and of Lithuania at the same time except in some special cases.

Can an American get Lithuanian citizenship? ›

Lithuanian citizenship can be acquired: by birth, by naturalisation, by way of exception, by restoration of Lithuanian citizenship. A child, both of whose parents are Lithuanian citizens, shall be a citizen of Lithuania regardless of whether he was born in the territory of Lithuania or beyond its borders.

Can you get Lithuanian citizenship by descent? ›

You can get Lithuania citizenship by descent if: You have a great-grandparent, grandparent, or parent who held Lithuania citizenship before June 15, 1940. You or your ancestor held Lithuania citizenship but were exiled from the country between 1940 to 1990 for political reasons.

What are 3 countries in Europe that do not allow dual citizenship? ›

List of EU Countries Prohibit Dual Nationality for Naturalization
  • Austria.
  • Bulgaria.
  • Czechia.
  • Denmark.
  • Netherlands.
  • Spain.
Feb 4, 2023

Can a U.S. citizen legally hold dual citizenship? ›

Does the United States allow dual citizenship? Yes, the U.S. allows dual citizenship by default. The government does not require naturalized U.S. citizens to give up their citizenship in their country of origin.

What is the easiest country for a U.S. citizen to get dual citizenship in? ›

Different countries have different rules, but the easiest countries to get dual citizenship are states like Turkey, Vanuatu, Grenada, and Dominica.

Can a US citizen retire in Lithuania? ›

Visa requirements for retiring in Lithuania

For a simple visit as a tourist in Lithuania, you will only require a Schengen visa, which is valid for 90 days. However, usually, retirement is planned for a longer period, and in many cases permanent, you will require a temporary residence permit initially.

What is the easiest European citizenship for American? ›

Portugal. Portugal is the easiest European country where you can get citizenship. The easiest way to become a Portuguese citizen is by obtaining a Portugal Golden visa; all you have to do is invest in a house, a business, or a property of €500,000 value.

How long can a US citizen stay in Lithuania? ›

I want to arrive to the Republic of Lithuania and stay for more than 3 months. If you intend to stay for more than 90 days within 180 days, you must acquire: national visa. or temporary residence permit.

Can you get Lithuanian citizenship through grandparents? ›

Lithuanian nationality law operates on the jus sanguinus principle, whereby persons who have a claim to Lithuanian ancestry, either through parents, grandparents, great-grandparents may claim Lithuanian nationality. Citizenship may also be granted by naturalization.

How much does it cost to get Lithuanian citizenship? ›

Prices of services
LITHUANIAN CITIZENSHIP
Granting of citizenship of Lithuania through naturalisation2100 Euros
Restoration of citizenship of Lithuania2300 Euros
Certificate confirming Lithuanian descent1300 Euros
Certificate confirming the right to restore (reinstate) Lithuanian citizenship1400 Euros
30 more rows

Can you buy citizenship in Lithuania? ›

Although there is no citizenship by investment program in Lithuania, the authorities have implemented other procedures through which foreign citizens can obtain citizenship. First, a visa is required to enter Lithuania as a non-EU / EEA citizen.

Can you be a dual citizen in the US and Europe? ›

U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one nationality or another. A U.S. citizen may naturalize in a foreign state without any risk to his or her U.S. citizenship.

What is the best European country to move to from the US? ›

Switzerland: Although many European countries offer a better quality of life than the U.S., Switzerland takes the cake. It's globally ranked for its safety, infrastructure and natural beauty. All of this, of course, comes at a cost: Switzerland is one of the world's most expensive countries to live in.

Can I have 3 citizenships in USA? ›

How many citizenships can you have in the US? You are allowed to have dual citizenship or more in the US. The American government does not require you to renounce any citizenship if you obtain dual citizenship, and it even allows you to have more than just dual citizenship and become a multiple citizenship holder.

What are the disadvantages of dual citizenship? ›

Drawbacks of being a dual citizen include the potential for double taxation, the long and expensive process for obtaining dual citizenship, and the fact that you become bound by the laws of two nations.

How long can a retired U.S. citizen stay out of the country? ›

If you leave the U.S., we will stop your benefits the month after the sixth calendar month in a row that you are outside the country. You can make visits to the United States for specific periods of time, depending on how long you've been outside, to continue receiving your benefits.

Does U.S. dual citizenship expire? ›

Therefore, if there are any modifications in the laws, the citizens get enough time to take the required action to remain the citizens of the country. Hence, dual citizenship never expires.

Where do most Americans have dual citizenship? ›

American dual citizenship is possible in certain countries such as Portugal, Spain, Malta, Cyprus, Belgium, Denmark, Australia, the UK, and Dominica.

Why does the US not recognize dual citizenship? ›

The U.S. Government recognizes that dual nationality exists but does not encourage it as a matter of policy because of the problems it may cause. Claims of other countries on dual national U.S. citizens may conflict with U.S. law, and dual nationality may limit U.S. Government efforts to assist citizens abroad.

How many passports can a U.S. citizen have? ›

The answer is you can have as many as you want, depending on your original citizenship. While some countries allow dual citizenship or many citizenships at the same time, others do not and require you to renounce your previous citizenship.

What is the quality of life in Lithuania? ›

When asked to rate their general satisfaction with life on a scale from 0 to 10, Lithuanians gave it a 6.4 grade on average, lower than the OECD average of 6.7.

How much money do you need to survive in Lithuania? ›

Family of four estimated monthly costs are 2,582.2$ (2,336.5€) without rent. A single person estimated monthly costs are 754.4$ (682.6€) without rent. Cost of living in Lithuania is, on average, 30.5% lower than in United States. Rent in Lithuania is, on average, 61.6% lower than in United States.

How much does it cost to live in Lithuania? ›

Summary about cost of living in Vilnius, Lithuania: Family of four estimated monthly costs are 2,740.1$ (2,486.2€) without rent. A single person estimated monthly costs are 799.1$ (725.0€) without rent. Vilnius is 45.6% less expensive than New York (without rent).

What is the hardest citizenship to get in Europe? ›

Austria

Austria is located in the heart of Europe and is bordered by eight other countries, making it one of the most difficult places to become a naturalized citizen. The process requires 12 years of continuous residency, including three years of marriage to an Austrian citizen, and passing a language test.

Is it hard for a US citizen to move to Europe? ›

Can US citizens move to Europe? Yes, Americans can move to Europe. There are a variety of options available, with Golden Visas, Digital Nomad Visas, and other residency schemes available.

Which country citizenship is hardest to get? ›

17 Hardest Countries To Get Citizenship [Updated April 2023]
  • Japan.
  • United Arab Emirates.
  • San Marino.
  • Austria.
  • Monaco.
  • Finland.
  • Singapore.
  • Brunei Darussalem.

How long can a U.S. citizen stay in Lithuania? ›

I want to arrive to the Republic of Lithuania and stay for more than 3 months. If you intend to stay for more than 90 days within 180 days, you must acquire: national visa. or temporary residence permit.

Can a dual citizen leave the US on a foreign passport? ›

While dual citizens may be able to travel abroad with alternative documentation, all U.S. citizens are required to present a U.S. passport to re-enter the United States.

How many dual citizenships can a U.S. citizen have? ›

Certain countries have always had a favored position for dual citizenship. Most notably, US citizens have no restrictions on obtaining multiple citizenship unless the citizenship can cause significant harm to the country.

Which country doesn t allow dual citizenship? ›

Today, most advanced economies allow dual citizenship; notable exceptions which restrict or forbid it are Austria, Japan, the Netherlands, and Singapore.

What is the difference between a foreign U.S. citizen and a dual? ›

Unlike foreigners, dual citizens do not require a visa or permit to visit the countries where they have citizenship, and they can stay for as long as they like. They also have the right to seek work in both countries, while foreigners must pass through a lengthy process to get a work permit.

Can a US citizen stay out of the country for more than 6 months? ›

Absences of more than 365 consecutive days

You must apply for a re-entry permit (Form I-131) before you leave the United States, or your permanent residence status will be considered abandoned. A re-entry permit enables you to be abroad for up to two years.

What country can U.S. citizens stay the longest without a visa? ›

Canada – 180 days

If you want to move somewhere different but don't want a huge culture shock or learn a new language (with the exception of Quebec), Canada is an ideal option. You can stay here for up to 180 days before having to go elsewhere.

Which passport do I use if I have dual citizenship? ›

Most U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States. Dual nationals may also be required by the foreign country to use its passport to enter and leave that country. Use of the foreign passport does not endanger U.S. citizenship.

What countries can Americans have dual citizenship? ›

Many countries permit dual citizenship with America, including, but not limited to, Portugal, Spain, Malta, Cyprus, Greece, the UK, Australia, Dominica, and more. Other countries will have their own immigration laws and immigration services.

Can a U.S. citizen be denied entry? ›

At the United States border, US immigration officers alone decide whether to allow or deny entry to travelers. Sometimes denial is clear-cut, such as a prior criminal conviction or the submission of incorrect documents. Very often, however, no specific reasons are given and denied US travelers just have to guess.

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