Restoration of lost citizenship of Lithuania

Restoration of lost Lithuanian citizenship is a legal pathway available to individuals who were once citizens of the Republic of Lithuania but lost their citizenship due to acquiring another nationality or other circumstances defined by law. This process allows eligible persons to regain their Lithuanian citizenship, either fully or alongside another nationality, depending on individual eligibility and exceptions outlined in the legislation.

The right to restore Lithuanian citizenship is especially relevant for those with strong personal or familial ties to Lithuania, such as individuals born in Lithuania or those who held citizenship after March 11, 1990, when Lithuania restored its independence. This restoration process is regulated by the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania and involves several legal and procedural steps, including documentation, residence conditions, and government approval.

Understanding the eligibility criteria and preparing the necessary documentation properly is essential to successfully navigating the restoration process.

Who Can Apply for Citizenship Restoration?

If a person was a citizen of Lithuania and lost the Lithuanian citizenship, it may be restored. If a person acquired a Lithuanian citizenship at birth, or his (her) citizenship of Lithuania was restored or granted according to the simplified procedure, or the person acquired the citizenship of Lithuania according to the procedure of naturalization and then lost it for certain circumstances (such as acquisition of a citizenship of another state), such a person may apply for restoration of the lost Lithuanian citizenship .

Requirements Based on Former Citizenship Status

The requirements set for persons wishing to apply for restoration of the lost Lithuanian citizenship differ dependently on the way of acquisition of the citizenship by the person before its losing.

Applicants Who Acquired Lithuanian Citizenship by Birth or Simplified Procedure

If a person wishing to apply for restoration of the lost citizenship of Lithuania had acquired a citizenship of Lithuania at birth, or his (her) citizenship of Lithuania was restored or granted according to the simplified procedure, he (she) should renounce the current citizenship of the other state, except of certain exceptional cases, when the person has a right to be a citizen of Lithuania and a citizen of another state (a person having acquired a citizenship of Lithuania at birth, a person having been exiled from Lithuania or having left Lithuania prior to 11 March 1990 or a person is a descendant of such persons etc.).

Applicants Who Lost Lithuanian Citizenship Acquired by Naturalization

For a person wishing to apply for restoration of the lost citizenship of Lithuania who had acquired the citizenship of Lithuania according to the procedure of naturalization and then lost it, the following requirements are set: renouncing the current citizenship of the other state, lawful permanent residing in Lithuania for the recent 5 years, having a right for permanent residence in Lithuania, having a legal source of means of subsistence and absence of any circumstances that exclude an eligibility of a person for restoration of Lithuanian citizenship.

A person will not be eligible for a restoration of the lost Lithuanian citizenship, if he (she):

1. Had committed international crimes or prepared himself (herself) for them or tried to commit them;
2. Had committed criminal acts against Lithuania or prepared himself (herself) for them or tried to commit them;
3. Was imprisoned for an intentional crime that is considered an extremely serious crime according to Lithuanian laws;
4. Has no right for permanent residence in Lithuania.

Where to Submit Your Application

The documents for a restoration of the lost Lithuanian citizenship shall be submitted to:

The documents shall be submitted to:

• a diplomatic mission or a consular institution in a foreign state – Lithuaniandiplomatic missions and Consular institutions;
• the Migration department in Lithuania – Migration department.

Required Documents for Citizenship Restoration

For a restoration of the lost Lithuanian citizenship, the following documents shall be submitted:

1. The application completed in Lithuanian;

2. The passport;

3. A document evidencing the change of name or surname where such personal data have been changed;

4. A document on an absence of a citizenship of another state or a declaration on his (her) obligation to renounce the citizenship of the other state after restoration of the lost Lithuanian citizenship.

Additional Documents for Former Naturalized Citizens

If a person acquired the citizenship of Lithuania according to the procedure of naturalization and then lost it, he (she) shall submit the following documents in addition to the above-listed:

1. A document certifying his/her right for permanent residence in Lithuania;

2. Documents certifying that his (her) lawful permanent residing in Lithuania for the recent 5 years;

3. Documents certifying that the person has a legal source of means of subsistence;

4. A certificate on absence of convictions.

Translation and Legalization Requirements

If documents are executed in a language other than Lithuanian they shall be translated into Lithuanian. Copies of the documents shall be notarized. 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.

Processing Time and Final Decision

The Migration Department shall examine the Application for restoration of the lost citizenship of Lithuania for a period up to 3 months. The conclusion of the Migration Department shall be transferred to the Citizenship Board. The lost citizenship of Lithuania shall be restored to the person by a decree of the President of Lithuania and the person shall swear an oath of allegiance to Lithuania.

Need Help Restoring 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.