Eligibility quiz
Was one of your parents, grandparents or great-grandparents a Lithuanian citizen before and on 15 June 1940?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Lithuania permanently
Your permanent residence permit gives you an ongoing right to live in Lithuania.
Your residence is not tied to a particular job, employer or study programme.
The card is issued for five years and must then be replaced, but replacing it does not start a new five-year qualifying period.
Study in Lithuania
Permanent residents can study in Lithuania under the rules for people living there lawfully.
Work in Lithuania
Permanent residents can work in Lithuania under the rules for people living there lawfully.
Your permanent residence permit is not tied to a particular employer.
Travel in Schengen
A valid residence permit generally lets you travel in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
The permit also proves your right to return to and live in Lithuania.
It does not give you a right to settle, work or study elsewhere in the Schengen area.
Use public healthcare
Permanent residents are part of Lithuania’s compulsory health insurance system.
You normally pay contributions yourself or through an employer, unless the state pays them for you.
Once insured, you can use covered services and receive medicines paid for by the system.
Without insurance, you generally pay for care yourself.
Receive social support
You may qualify for social assistance.
Each benefit has its own conditions, which can include where you live, your income, insurance and work history.
How to apply
Applying at a consulateApplying at a consulate
Find your consulate
Find the Lithuanian consulate that serves the place where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Lithuanian consulate serves your city for citizenship restoration applications?”
Download the application form
Download the application for restoration of Lithuanian citizenship.
Download the formFill in the form
Fill in and sign the application. A legal representative applies for a child under 18.
Get form helpSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Lithuanian citizenship restoration application form?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your application.
See required documentsRegister your application online
Create or sign in to your MIGRIS account and register your application and supporting documents.
Register your applicationPay the state fee
Pay the €159 state fee using the Migration Department's payment instructions and keep your payment proof. Use payment code 5740.
Find payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Migration Department state fee for Lithuanian citizenship restoration?”
Book an appointment
When MIGRIS shows that your application has been sent to the external service provider, use Book a visit to choose a provider location and appointment.
Book a visitGo to your appointment
Bring your signed application, identity document, payment proof and supporting documents, including the originals and copies the receiving office asks for. A legal representative attends for a child under 18.
Find appointment detailsSearches DuckDuckGo for “What should I bring to my Lithuanian citizenship restoration appointment abroad?”
Obtain a court decision
If the Migration Department says your evidence is insufficient, ask a Lithuanian court to establish the disputed facts and provide its decision for your application.
Find court informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I ask a Lithuanian court to establish citizenship or descent facts for citizenship restoration?”
Wait for the decision
Follow your application in MIGRIS and answer any requests for more evidence. The Migration Department examines your application and the Minister of the Interior decides on restoration.
Follow your applicationDocuments needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get your birth certificate and your parent’s birth certificate to show your connection to your Lithuanian grandparent. If the connection is unclear, the office may ask for other records, such as residence, property, study or work records; if it cannot accept the evidence, a Lithuanian court may establish the family connection.
Grandparent's citizenship records
Provide proof that your Lithuanian grandparent held Lithuanian citizenship on 15 June 1940; being born in or coming from Lithuania is not enough. Evidence can include a Lithuanian passport issued before that date, a Lithuanian passport issued by a consulate afterward, military or civil service records, a birth certificate or other record stating their Lithuanian citizenship, or a qualifying Lithuanian identity certificate. If these are unavailable, provide records of their studies, work and life in Lithuania before that date, together with their foreign passport and other evidence; a Lithuanian court may establish citizenship if the office finds the evidence insufficient.
Marriage certificates *
Get marriage certificates for you, your parent or your Lithuanian grandparent where they help connect your family records. Include name-change records where a name changed.
* Only if you or a relative in your family line married or changed name.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Residence card and records
You must keep your residence card valid and replace it when its five-year validity expires.
You must report relevant changes and hand in the card when required.
Permanent residence can end
Your permanent residence can be cancelled if you spend too long outside Lithuania, or on serious public-order, security or fraud-related grounds.
If it is cancelled, your card becomes invalid.
After the time allowed to appeal, you must return the card and leave Lithuania unless you have another lawful reason to stay.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Expats & Foreigners in Lithuania
English Facebook group for people living in Lithuania interested in Lithuanian visas
Join on Facebookr/AnchorLessEurope
English Reddit group for people living in Europe interested in visas
Join on RedditForeigners in Kaunas
English Facebook group for people living in Lithuania interested in Lithuanian local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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