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Lithuanian emigrants are scattered all over the world. Since the end of the 19th century, Lithuania has been one of the Eastern European countries providing the largest number of emigrants to the world.

In Lithuania, the following four waves of emigration from Lithuania are distinguished:

1) economic emigration at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century;

2) Emigration from Lithuania during the period 1920-1940;

Lithuania has experienced four major waves of emigration from Lithuania. Emigration of Lithuanians was influenced by different causes, both economic, historical and political.

The major waves of emigration from Lithuania are the following:
1) Economic emigration at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century;
2) Emigration from Lithuania during the period 1920-1940; 

The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania has begun to hear the case regarding the retention of dual citizenship for persons who departed from Lithuania to live in other states after 11 March 1990. The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania will decide whether a right of such persons to have dual citizenship can be established by law, and whether they will have to choose a citizenship of the state they want to reserve.

The dual citizenship in Lithuania is possible only in certain exceptional cases provided for by law. Such exceptional cases are determined in Article 7 of the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania. It is established by Article 7 of the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania that a citizen of the Republic of Lithuania may be a citizen of another state at the same time, provided he meets at least one of the following conditions:

1) he has acquired citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania and citizenship of another state at birth;

According to 12 July 1920 the Soviet–Lithuanian Peace Treaty, the Vilnius region has been recognized for Lithuania. Since the moment of signing of the Suwalki Treaty, Lithuania has gained legal sovereignty over the region of Vilnius. Residents of the Vilnius region who met the requirements of Article 1 of the Provisional Law on Lithuanian Citizenship and the requirements of Article 6 of the Soviet–Lithuanian Peace Treaty were considered to be citizens of Lithuania.

According to the Provisional Law on Lithuanian Citizenship of 09 January 1919, citizens of Lithuania shall be deemed to be: “1) persons, whose parents and grandparents have lived in Lithuania since ancient times and who themselves always live in Lithuania; 2) children of persons indicated in the first subsection, who even though did not always live in Lithuania, but returned to live thereto; 3) persons who have lived in Lithuania no less than ten years before 1914 and who had: a) either their own real property, b) or permanent job; 4) children of a citizen of Lithuania; 5) his wife or widow; 6) children of a not married citizen of Lithuania, if they have not been accepted by the alien as his children”.

The independent state of Lithuania was restored on 16 February 1918.

The citizenship of Lithuania during years 1919-1940 was regulated by Lithuanian laws, legal acts issued by public authorities and Lithuanian international contracts.

Lithuanian laws and legal acts issued by public authorities shall be referable to: 1) Constitution of Lithuania; 2) Provisional Law on Citizenship of Lithuania of 09 January 1919, Law on Citizenship of Lithuania of 08 August 1939; 3) Introductory Law on the Management of Vilnius City and its Area of 27 October 1939; 4) Statutes of Passports;

Lithuanian citizens, stateless persons and citizens of foreign countries shall be entitled to change their name and surname. The name and surname of a citizen of foreign country can be changed only in Lithuanian civil registry offices or diplomatic missions and consular posts of Lithuania in records of civil status acts entered to him.

An application to change a name, surname or nationality shall be submitted to the civil registry office of the place of residence of the applicant. A person aged 16 shall be permitted to change his name, surname and nationality.

The Soviet-Lithuanian Peace Treaty of 12 July 1920 also provided for which persons were recognized as Lithuanian citizens.

It has been established in part 1 and 2 of Article 6 of the Soviet-Lithuanian Peace Treaty that:

“Persons who lived on the territory of Lithuania during the day of ratification of this Treaty and who themselves or their parents permanently lived in Lithuania or were registered in the village, town or caste communities in the territory of Lithuania, as well as persons who had been living in Lithuania for at least the last ten years before 1914, having the permanent job there, leaving former civilians and military servicemen, not of the Lithuanian descent, together with their families shall be ipso facto recognized as citizens of the state of Lithuania.

A temporary residence permit in Lithuania shall be withdrawn in the following cases:

1. A permit has been obtained by fraudulent means;
2. It turns out that the alien’s residence in the Republic of Lithuania can constitute a threat to national security, public policy or public health; data which were submitted in order to obtain a temporary residence permit are implausible; a person is included into a list of aliens prohibited from entering the Republic of Lithuania; there are grounds to believe that the alien has concluded a fictitious marriage in order to acquire a residence permit; a person has not enough funds

LITHUANIAN STATE HISTORICAL ARCHIVES

This is the largest and most important repository of archival documents for the Lithuanian history from the 13^th century up to the declaration of the Independence of Lithuania in 1918, which is located in Vilnius, Mindaugo Str. 8. The documents stored in the Lithuanian State Historical Archives are the following:

• A set of documents of offices of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL), which is comprised of funds of offices of GDL in the 15^th-18^th These are book microfilms of GDL Chancellery (Lithuanian Metrics) of the 15^th-18^th century, GDL King’s Manor Board (the 16^th-19^th century), GDL Chief Tribunal

The Klaipėda Region was separated from Germany under Article 99 of the Treaty of Versailles of 28 June 1919. After the ratification of the Treaty of Versailles and its entry into force on 10 January 1920, execution of sovereign rights in the Klaipėda Region was transferred to the Triple Entente countries. On 16 February 1923,  the Conference of Ambassadors recognized Lithuania’s sovereignty over the Klaipėda Region. In this way the Klaipėda Region became a part of the territory of Lithuania. Its legal status in the state of Lithuania has not been formally recorded yet, because under the Resolution of the Conference of Ambassadors of 16 February 1923 this should have been established in the Klaipėda Region Convention, which had to be prepared by the Conference of Ambassadors together with the representatives of Lithuania.

Citizens of the Republic of Lithuania, whose real property was nationalised under the laws of the USSR (Lithuanian SSR), or which was otherwise unlawfully made public, can apply due to the restoration of rights of ownership to the existing real property, which is regulated by the Republic of Lithuania Law on the Restoration of the Rights of Ownership of Citizens to the Existing Real Property.

This law shall also regulate the procedure and conditions of the restoration, as well as the recognition of continuity of the restoration of the rights of ownership to the citizens of the Republic of Lithuania to the real property, restoration whereof has been initiated according to the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on the Procedure and Conditions of Restoration of the Rights of Ownership to the Existing Real Property, while evaluating the established objective public economic relations.

Ancestry is a program that, for a certain fee, provides you with an opportunity to find out the history of your family’s genealogical tree.

By providing information about several of your family members, the program will select what your ancestors could be. The more family members will be added, the more hints you will receive about your ancestors.
The program has access to various records around the world that are difficult to access for yourself, therefore, it can greatly facilitate searches in order to find out the history of your family.
You will also be able to find out the uniqueness of yourself, where you came from, to what ethnic group your ancestors belonged and many other interesting facts.

Lithuanian passport is a personal document attesting Lithuanian citizenship of a person. Lithuanian passport and identity card are the principle documents identifying personal data, such as first name, surname, date of birth, sex, personal number and citizenship. Each personal document has a unique ...

A person who has been granted citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania under the simplified procedure, through naturalisation, by way of exception or by restoring it, as well as on the grounds established by international treaties to which the Republic of Lithuania is a party, must take a public and solemn oath of allegiance to the Republic of Lithuania.

You may apply due to an oath of allegiance to the Republic of Lithuania to the territorial office of the Migration Department or the diplomatic mission or consular post of the Republic of Lithuania, upon the direct arrival to the relevant institution, through an authorized person or other representative, or by electronic means.

Persons whose parents or grandparents or one of the parents or grandparents is or was Lithuanian and who consider themselves Lithuanian and declare that in writing, shall be entitled to obtain a certificate confirming the Lithuanian descent. This document shall form a basis for the application due to the issuance of an annual multiple-entry Schengen visa.

A temporary multiple-entry Schengen visa (C) may be issued to aliens who have submitted documents confirming the Lithuanian descent, as well as to family members of these aliens. This visa can be valid up to 2 years.

Upon re-establishment of an independent state of Lithuania on 11 March 1990, the Provisional Basic Law of the Republic of Lithuania was adopted, Part 1 of Article 13 whereof stipulated that “The attributes of Lithuanian citizenship, conditions and procedures for receiving and losing it shall be defined by the Law on Lithuanian Citizenship“.

It has been established in Article 3 of the Law “Regarding the Provisional Basic Law of the Republic of Lithuania“ adopted on 11 March 1991 that “Laws and other legal acts valid in Lithuania until this moment that do not contradict the Provisional Basic Law of the Republic of Lithuania shall remain in force.“

In Lithuania, a conclusion of marriage is possible, if at least one of the spouses is a citizen of Lithuania or an alien having a permission to reside in Lithuania, and provided that both persons are over 18 years of age.

Citizens of Lithuania willing to conclude marriage with a citizen of foreign state shall submit an application to the Civil Registry Office. The Civil Registry Office shall be selected according to the declared place of residence of one of the spouses or parents thereof. Both spouses must be present when submitting the application.

In Lithuania, applications regarding a dissolution of marriage shall only be investigated by courts.

A claim for a dissolution of marriage must be submitted to the District Court according to a place of residence of the respondent. If the respondent has minor children living herewith – according to a place of residence of the plaintiff. When terminating marriage upon joint application of both spouses, it may be submitted according to a place of residence of one of the spouses.

Citizens of Lithuania who have registered marriage in foreign institutions must include it into record of Lithuania.

In order to include marriage into record of Lithuania, citizens of Lithuania shall submit documents to the Civil Registry Office by residence thereof, or to the Lithuanian Embassy or Consulate.

In accordance with legislation of the Republic of Lithuania, if at least one of parents of a child who was born in a foreign state is a citizen of Lithuania, birth of a child must be included into record of the Lithuanian Civil Registry Office. Birth of a child must be included into record of Lithuania regardless of citizenship of a child.

Upon restoration of independence of the Republic of Lithuania on 11 March 1990, issues of citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania were solved on the basis of the Lithuanian SSR Law on Citizenship of 03 November 1989.

Upon re-establishment of an independent state of Lithuania on 11 March 1990, the Provisional Basic Law of the Republic of Lithuania was adopted, Part 1 of Article 13 whereof stipulated that “The attributes of Lithuanian citizenship, conditions and procedures for receiving and losing it shall be defined by the Law on Lithuanian Citizenship”.

According to the current legislation of the Republic of Lithuania and the provisions of the current action plan for political prisoners and exiles and their family members returning to Lithuania in 2015-2017, confirmed by the law dated March 5, 2014, the government assistance for immigration and social integration is provided not only to rehabilitated political prisoners and exiles who have returned to Lithuania for permanent residence but also their children.

After the war between Germany and Soviet Union in 1941, Lithuania had to survive the exploitation of another occupier, atrocities and deportations, and massacres of Lithuanian citizens.

In the summer of 1944, at the approach of the German and Russian military front, Lithuanian residents massively departed to the West. It was a natural, unplanned, non-organized and unmanaged escape from home. It was thought that it would last if not days or weeks, then at least no longer than several months. These fugitives could not imagine that they would find themselves in the farthest countries of the world a few years later.

Citizens of the Republic of Lithuania shall have all rights, freedoms and responsibilities established by the Constitution, laws and other legal acts of the Republic of Lithuania, as well as international treaties to which the Republic of Lithuania is a party.

Citizen of the Republic of Lithuania must comply with the Constitution, laws and other legal acts of the Republic of Lithuania, as well as international treaties to which the Republic of Lithuania is a party, fulfil the responsibilities set forth therein, protect the interests of the Republic of Lithuania, help strengthen its power and authority, and be loyal to it.

The possession of citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania grants to a person certain rights, freedoms and guarantees, the aliens residing in Lithuania are not granted whereby, or are granted to a narrower extent. Therefore, it is a merit to be a citizen of the Republic of Lithuania for the following reasons:

- The possession of citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania shall be considered as the person’s permanent legal relationship with the State of Lithuania, which is based on mutual rights and obligatios. Citizens of the Republic of Lithuania shall have all rights, freedoms and responsibilities established by the Constitution, laws and other legal acts of the Republic of Lithuania, as well as international treaties to which the Republic of Lithuania is a party.

A large number of residents emigrated from the territory of Lithuania to the present South African Republic at the end of the 19^th century and at the beginning of the 20^th century. Frequently, such emigration was influenced by economic reasons, as well as by ideological, political and historical motives: Czarist policy of Russification, growing national movement, defeat of the Revolution in 1905, wars, etc. 

During the period of Independence of Lithuania (1918-1940), Lithuania experienced the second huge wave of emigration. The causes of such emigration were also mostly economic, but in certain cases historical and political.

The greatest emigration of Lithuanian residents to South America (Brasil, Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela or other country in South America) occurred during the period of Independence of Lithuania. At this period, Lithuania experienced the second huge wave of emigration. The causes of this emigration were mostly economic, but in certain cases historical and political. During this period, emigration of Lithuanians to the United States of America decreased due to immigration quotas introduced in the United States of America. At that time, the majority of Lithuanians emigrated to Canada and South America (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela or other country in South America), a part (mostly persons of Jewish nationality) emigrated to Palestine and South Africa. On the 3^rd-4^th decade of the 20^th century, up to 60 per cent of all Lithuanian emigrants departed from Lithuania to South America.

The greatest emigration of Lithuanian residents to Australia occurred after World War II, during the third wave of emigration from Lithuania, together with emigration of political expatriates (Displaced Persons), who fled Lithuania at the end of World War II.

At the end of World War II, the emigration of Lithuanians to Australia was affected by historical and political circumstances, namely, World War II, consequences thereof, occupation of Lithuania. Lithuanians as political refugees receded to DP camps, wherefrom they were further transferred to regions of independent countries, including Canada. Most Lithuanians settled down in German DP camps, also, in Austrian DP camps, where political refugees were protected by international organizations UNRA and IRO, which took care of the relief, placement of war refugees and later on of their further emigration. All persons who moved from their countries were named by the term Displaced Persons. During this period, a huge part of Lithuanian emigrants departed to Australia.

The greatest emigration of Lithuanian residents to New Zealand occurred after the emigration of political refugees who fled Lithuania at the end of World War II, during the third wave of Lithuanian emigration from Lithuania, when the emigration of political refugees (Displaced Persons) who fled Lithuania at the end of World War II took place.

At the end of World War II, the emigration of Lithuanians to New Zealand was influenced by the following historical and political circumstances: World War II, consequences thereof, occupation of Lithuania. Lithuanians as political refugees receded to DP camps, wherefrom they were further transferred to regions of independent countries, including Canada. Most Lithuanians settled down in German DP camps, also, in Austrian DP camps, where political refugees were protected by international organizations UNRA and IRO, which took care of the relief, placement of war refugees and later on of their further emigration. All persons who moved from their countries were named by the term Displaced Persons. During this period, a huge part of Lithuanian emigrants departed to Australia.

There are likely to be some occasions, when old documents are necessary, it is noticed that certificates of birth of individuals or their birth records did not remain. In such a case, there is a possibility to apply for a birth record recovery.

In order to recover any record of an act of civil status, a person may apply, personally or via the representative, to the Civil Registry Office, or via the MEP Information System.

The grounds for the loss of Lithuanian citizenship were established in the Lithuanian Constitutions of 1922, 1928, 1938, also, in the Provisional Law on Lithuanian Citizenship of 09 January 1919, and in the Law on Lithuanian Citizenship of 08 August 1938. The Lithuanian citizenship could be lost on acquiring citizenship of another state, moreover, when residing abroad for more than two years without a foreign passport or with an invalid foreign passport. 

The Polish citizenship is acquired by birth, through the reinstatement, restoration, naturalisation or granting procedure. The process of reinstating Polish citizenship, as in many other countries that have suffered from Tsarist oppression, is a rather long process.

It should be noted that Polish citizenship may be inherited, even if a person was not born on the territory of Poland. Descendants of Polish nationals, who left the country before its independence, may apply for acquisition of Polish citizenship.

Currently, Lithuanian Jews and their descendants residing in Israel may enjoy the opportunity of reinstating Lithuanian citizenship which is laid down by the Lithuanian legislation.  

It should be noted that pursuant to legislation of the Republic of Lithuania, Lithuanian citizenship may be reinstated without renouncing the present citizenship of a foreign state (dual citizenship) for persons, who emigrated from Lithuania before 11 March 1990 and held Lithuanian citizenship before 15 June 1940 and, as well as for descendants of such persons (children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren). In this case, in order to reinstate Lithuanian citizenship without renouncing the present citizenship of another state, the following main circumstances must be proved:

Lithuanian citizenship may be acquired on certain bases provided in the Law of Republic of Lithuania on citizenship. Lithuanian descent is one of the bases for acquisition of Lithuanian citizenship.
Lithuanian origin should not be equalized to Lithuanian citizenship. Lithuanian origin is related to the ethnicity, the national affiliation of a person, his (her) belonging to a certain nation, ethnos or another historically developed group of people with common characteristics, such as language, culture, religion and so on, attributed to them.

The application for restoration of Lithuanian citizenship must be filled in Lithuanian or English through the Lithuanian Migration Information System MIGRIS. Documents attached to the application for restoration of citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania must be drawn up in Lithuanian, or you must submit a translation of these documents into Lithuanian, which must be certified by a person or institution entitled to certify translation from one language to another, by submitting the documents certifying the right of translation.

The search for birth records of individuals born before 1940 is conducted at the Lithuanian State Historical Archives, located at Mindaugo g. 8, Vilnius. These archives hold the metric books of all religious communities and churches.

While the archives contain records dating back to the 16th century, not all documents have survived. The Catholic Church has the most comprehensive collection of preserved records, while records from Orthodox, Old Believers, Lutheran, Reformed Evangelical, Muslim, and Karaite communities are less extensive.

As of January 1, 2017, civil registry offices in the Republic of Lithuania issue extracts confirming entries of civil status acts, as determined by the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania, instead of civil status registration certificates. Applicants can obtain this extract immediately after the registration of a civil status act— in this case, after the marriage registration— or at any later time.

The extract can be obtained by applying to the Civil Registry Office in Lithuania, a consular office, or the Center of Registers. This procedure applies not only to marriage registration but also to divorce, birth, death, or changes of name or surname.

Lithuanian citizenship by descent has become a highly sought-after opportunity for individuals of Lithuanian ancestry. As we move into 2025, this pathway remains one of the most accessible ways to reconnect with your Lithuanian heritage while obtaining the rights and benefits of an EU citizen. This article will guide you through the essential details of obtaining Lithuanian citizenship by descent in 2025.

Lithuanian citizenship by descent allows individuals with Lithuanian ancestry to reclaim their citizenship rights. It is especially popular among descendants of Lithuanian emigrants who wish to re-establish ties with their ancestral homeland.

One of the ways in which Lithuanian citizenship may be acquired is a reinstatement of citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania. Lithuanian citizenship may be reinstated for a person, whose ancestors (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, or one of them) were citizens of Lithuania before 15 June 1940, or who himself/herself was a citizen of Lithuania before 15 June 1940.

Lithuania was established as an independent state in 1918. The first law regulating the institute of Lithuanian citizenship was the Provisional Law on Lithuanian Citizenship adopted on 09 January 1919. The Provisional Law on Lithuanian Citizenship dated 09 January 1919 establishes that the citizens of Lithuania shall be:

The independent Lithuanian state, re-established in 1918.

In 1919-1920, Polish and Soviet Russian troops occupied Vilnius several times in succession. Vilnius was repeatedly alternately occupied by Polish and Soviet Russian troops. In 1922, Vilnius was incorporated into Poland by military force. Over a short period between 1918 and 1922, during repeated changes of power – the Republic of Lithuania, Soviet Lithuania, the armies of Poland and Soviet Russia, the Jewish community again had to undergo significant economic hardship and national troubles.

It should be noted that members of the Seimas decided that a possibility to obtain Lithuanian citizenship will not be restricted neither to Russian, nor to Belarusian nationals. Both Russian and Belarusian citizens shall enjoy the right to apply for the Lithuanian citizenship, their applications are being processed and decisions made.

Within the first year when it has started to verify a legal status of the Russian and Belarusian citizens who were required to fill in a special questionnaire, wherein it is necessary to specify a certain information about themselves and express their attitude towards the war in Ukraine, the Migration Department  has adopted 2,041 decisions to annul the permanent or temporary residence permits in Lithuania due to the threat posed by the Russian and Belarusian citizens to the national security.

A person may hold a dual citizenship in Lithuania only in individual cases provided for in the Law.

A citizen of the Republic of Lithuania may at the same time be a citizen of another state if the person or family members of the person were exiled from Lithuania before 11 March 1990, as well as if the personheld citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania prior to 15 June 1940 (the person, or his/her parents, grandparents or great-grandparents, or one of the parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents who held citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania prior to 15 June 1940). 

In accordance with the legal acts of the Republic of Lithuania which are currently in force, a child is eligible for being Lithuanian citizen and citizen of another state at the same time, provided he or she acquired Lithuanian citizenship by birth (at birth of a child, both his or her parents or one of them were citizens of the Republic of Lithuania), and acquired citizenship of another state by birth or acquired it not by birth until he or she reached 18 years of age.

Lithuanian citizenship - permanent legal relationship between a person and the Republic of Lithuania, based on mutual rights and obligations.

One can become a Lithuanian citizen by receiving citizenship in accordance with the law (e.g., marriage, naturalization (permanent residence in Lithuania for at least 10 years), birth, when one of the parents or both are Lithuanian citizens or stateless persons, or are not known, restoration of citizenship of Lithuania, the exceptional granting of citizenship) and reinstatement of Lithuanian citizenship.

Genealogy is a science that studies family relationships, and descent through a series of generations, and helps to understand the history of family. The search of ancestry in Lithuania is becoming more and more popular, people seek to find out more about their family’s past and life paths of their parents, grandparents, and ancestors. One of methods to learn more about your descent and origins is to build a genealogical/ family tree.

Since 01 January 2017, civil registry offices of the Republic of Lithuania have started to issue extracts confirming the record of civil status in a form set by the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania instead of registration certificates of the record of civil status. Extracts may be issued upon a receipt of the petitioner’s application immediately after registration of the civil status act (right away after birth of a child) or anytime later at the civil registry office, consular post, or the Centre of Registers.

Since 1 January 1 2013, Migration Department of Lithuania issues certificates confirming the Lithuanian descent which replace the previously issued certificates confirming retention of the right to the citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania. A person of the Lithuanian descent has the right to submit an application for a certificate confirming his/her descent, which enables him/her to obtain citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania in the future.

This certificate is issued to a person whose parents or grandparents or one of the parents or grandparents is or was Lithuanian.

Genealogical/ family tree is a diagram that visually depicts family relationships and ancestry of an individual through several generations. This is the basis of genealogical research, which assists in understanding the origin of a person and the history of his/her kin. Genealogical tree may cover information about a date and place of birth of each individual, his/her relationship with other family members, the date of marriage and death, and other relevant events. This is a useful tool to obtain responds to many personal and historical questions.

Since 01 January 2017, civil registry offices of the Republic of Lithuania commenced to issue extracts confirming the record of civil status in a form determined by the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania instead of registration certificates of the record of civil status. Extracts may be issued upon a receipt of the petitioner’s application immediately after registration of the civil status act (right away after the conclusion of marriage) or anytime later at the civil registry office, consular post, or the Centre of Registers. This procedure is valid not only for registration of marriages, but also in the cases of divorce, birth, death, and change of a name or surname.

Each person, who held the citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania before 15June 1940, and his/her descendants, who have not acquired the citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania, have the right to reinstate the citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania. This right is not limited in time, moreover, a person may reinstate citizenship regardless of what country he/she lives in. That right is supported with certificates confirming the right to reinstate the citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania issued by the Migration Department from 1 January 2013. These certificates replace the previously issued certificates confirming retention of the right to the citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania.

Persons of Lithuanian descent who have never held the citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania, have an opportunity to acquire it under the simplified procedure. In this case, a person does not need to hold examination in the Lithuanian language and in the basic provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, he/she just have to prove his/her Lithuanian descent. The procedure is facilitated by the certificate confirming the Lithuanian descent – upon its submission, no additional documents proving the Lithuanian descent and kinship are required.

According to the official data of statistics portal, the number of emigrated people from Lithuania in 2016 is 46 489. Each year the number of Lithuanian emigrants increases and the number of Lithuanian citizens refusing their citizenship increases as well. Lithuanian citizens who live abroad do not lose their Lithuanian citizenship, the state continues to protect them and provide care for them. The Lithuanian Seimas was concerned with the aforementioned problem before; therefore they are looking for ways to solve it. 

Lithuanian passport is a document attesting Lithuanian citizenship of a person, his or hers legal relationship with the state of Lithuania. A Lithuanian passport is issued to a person when he or she acquires Lithuanian citizenship in one of the following ways of acquiring of Lithuanian citizenship: by birth, by restoration of Lithuanian citizenship, by granting of Lithuanian citizenship to a person under simplified procedure, by naturalization or by other way. 

Lithuanian citizenship might be restored to a person if he or her or his or hers parents, grandparents or ancestors were Lithuanian citizens before 15/06/1940. 

All citizens of the European Union (EU) can enjoy not only national rights, but also EU rights. The following are the main rights of EU citizens: a right of free movement, settlement, employment, studying or even retirement in any EU country, as well as a right of consular protection provided by other EU Member States.

Family reunification is one of the grounds for a non-EU citizen to acquire a right to reside in the EU. Family members of EU citizens who reside, work, study or carry out any other activity in other EU country, who are not EU citizens, can obtain a permit to reside and move freely within a territory of EU without a visa.