Naturalization

Naturalization is one of the main legal pathways to obtain Lithuanian citizenship for foreign nationals who have resided in Lithuania long-term. This process allows individuals who meet specific residency, legal, and language requirements to become Lithuanian citizens. If you have legally and permanently lived in Lithuania for a number of years, and can demonstrate integration into Lithuanian society, you may be eligible to apply for Lithuanian citizenship through naturalization. Below, we explain the key criteria, required documents, and legal procedures involved in this process.

Eligibility for Lithuanian Citizenship by Naturalization

If Lithuania is a place of lawful permanent residence of a person for over 10 years and such a person satisfies other requirements provided in legal norms, the person acquires a right to be granted the citizenship of Lithuania according to the procedure of naturalization.

What Qualifies as Permanent Residence in Lithuania?

Permanent residence of a person in the country means that the person resides in Lithuania without breaks for at least six months per year. If a person strives for recognition of his (her) residence in Lithuania permanent, such a person should not leave Lithuania for staying in another state for a period over six months.

Legal Requirements for Lithuanian Citizenship by Naturalization

Other requirements applicable to a person striving for acquiring the citizenship of Lithuania according to the procedure of naturalization include: having a legal source of means of subsistence; a successful result of an examination in the basics of Lithuanian language and the Constitution of Lithuania; an absence of convictions; and an absence of a citizenship of another state.

Language and Constitution Exam Requirement

If a person wishes to obtain Lithuanian citizenship through naturalization, they must, in addition to fulfilling other legal requirements, pass an examination on the basics of the Lithuanian language and the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania.

Contact Information for the Lithuanian Language and Constitution Examination

For detailed information regarding the Lithuanian language and the basics of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania examination, please contact the National Agency for Education (Nacionalinė švietimo agentūra):

• Address: K. Kalinausko g. 7, LT-03107 Vilnius, Lithuania

• Phone: +370 658 18504

• Email: info@nsa.smm.lt

• Website: www.nsa.smm.lt

Please note: Previously, the exams were organized by the Education Development Center. Since September 1, 2019, the responsibility for administering these exams has been transferred to the National Agency for Education.

To register for the exams, applicants must use the MIGRIS electronic system managed by the Migration Department of Lithuania:

• Registration portal: www.migracija.lt

For the most up-to-date exam schedules, preparation materials, and guidelines, please visit the official website of the National Agency for Education.

Translation and Legalization of Documents

Document Requirements for Naturalization

For an acquisition of Lithuanian citizenship according to the procedure of naturalization, the following documents shall be submitted:

1. The application completed in Lithuanian;
2. The passport;
3. A document certifying his/her right for permanent residence in Lithuania;
4. Documents certifying that lawful permanent residing of the person in Lithuania for at least 10 years;
5. Documents certifying that the person has a legal source of means of subsistence;
6. A document on a successful result of an examination in the basics of Lithuanian language and the Constitution of Lithuania;
7. A certificate on absence of convictions.

Naturalization for Spouses of Lithuanian Citizens

Shortened Residency Requirement for Spouses

If an alien having registered a marriage with a citizen of Lithuania wishes to be granted the citizenship of Lithuania according to the procedure of naturalization, a shortened period or permanent residence in Lithuania shall be applied. A citizen of a foreign state whose husband or wife is a citizen of Lithuania shall acquire the citizenship of Lithuania according to the procedure of naturalization after 7-year permanent lawful living in a marriage with a citizen of Lithuania in Lithuania. If a marriage a marriage of a citizen of a foreign state was registered with a former deportee, political prisoner or a descendant of such persons, as well as if the Lithuanian spouse dies after over 1 year of the marriage, the spouse from a foreign state shall acquire the citizenship of Lithuania according to the procedure of naturalization after 5-year permanent residence in Lithuania.

Required Documents for Spouses Applying for Citizenship

For acquisition of the citizenship of Lithuania, an alien having registered a marriage with a citizen of Lithuania shall submit the following documents:

1. The application completed in Lithuanian;
2. The passport;
3. The passport of the spouse (a citizen of Lithuania);
4. The Certificate of Marriage;
5. A document certifying his/her right for permanent residence in Lithuania;
6. Documents certifying that he (she) lived permanently with the spouse (a citizen of Lithuania) in Lithuania for last 7 or 5 years;
7. Documents on a successful result of an examination in the basics of Lithuanian language and the Constitution of Lithuania;
8. Documents certifying that the alien is not a citizen of another state or will lose the current citizenship (if any) after granting the citizenship of Lithuania, or a declaration on renouncing the current citizenship of another state after granting the citizenship of Lithuania;
9. A certificate on absence of convictions;
10. In certain cases – the documents certifying that the spouse of the alien is a former deportee, political prisoner or a child of such persons born in exile, or the documents certifying a death of the spouse.

Review Timeline and Citizenship Approval

The documents submitted by the person shall be examined by the Migration Department and transferred to the Citizenship Affairs Commission no later than within 3 months from the date of submission of the documents.

Although the Migration Department reviews the application within 3 months, the entire process—from document submission to receiving the presidential decree and taking the oath—may take up to 12 months in total. This duration can vary depending on individual case complexity, completeness of documentation, and the workload of the involved institutions.

Presidential Decree and Oath of Allegiance

The citizenship of Lithuania shall be granted to the person by a decree of the President of Lithuania and the person shall swear an Oath of allegiance to Lithuania. After the oath, the person is granted the rights and duties of a citizen of Lithuania. If the person has not sworn, his (her) application for granting Lithuanian citizenship may be examined for a second time, if the term of swearing was missed because of very important reasons.

Need Help With Lithuanian Citizenship?

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