The Seimas Broadened Possibilities for Expat Children to Preserve Lithuanian Citizenship

The Lithuanian Parliament Seimas endorsed revision of the Law on Citizenship expanding the possibilities for children born abroad to Lithuanian parents to acquire Lithuanian citizenship.

Until now, it has been established in Paragraph 1 of Article 7 and Section 10 of Article 45 of the Law on Citizenship that children of Lithuanian parents who acquired citizenship of another state by birth between 11 March 1990 and 22 July 2008, can apply for Lithuanian citizenship before they turn 18 themselves or this may be made by their legal representatives. According to the provided exception, persons who reached the age of majority no longer have such a possibility to apply for the Lithuanian citizenship.

The adopted amendments revoked a term stipulated in Section 10 of Article 45 of the Law on Citizenship to file an application until the child reaches the age of 18.

The newly adopted amendments broaden the right to apply for Lithuanian citizenship for adult persons, provided they held citizenship under the aforesaid exception. From now on, Lithuanians residing abroad may file applications to preserve citizenship at Lithuanian diplomatic missions or consular posts.

This change rebounds on requirements of the foreign Lithuanians to abolish the present restriction. Some persons, despite their wish to be Lithuanian citizens, have lost this opportunity due to ignorance of the law. Therefore, this amendment to the law is of considerable importance to foreign communities until constitutional changes take place.

MIGRATION LAW CENTER