Eligibility quiz
Were any of your parents, grandparents or earlier ancestors of Lithuanian origin?
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 from inside LithuaniaApplying from inside Lithuania
Find your migration office
Find the Migration Department office for the place where you have declared or intend to declare your home, or where you are recorded as having no home address.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Lithuania Migration Department office serves your city for permanent residence applications?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the Migration Department.
See required documentsFill in your application
Create or sign in to your MIGRIS account and fill in the permanent residence application, choosing Lithuanian descent as your reason. Upload scans of your documents.
Fill in applicationSubmit your application
Submit your application in MIGRIS and wait for instructions to present your documents and give your fingerprints and photo.
Submit your applicationBook an appointment
Book a visit through MIGRIS at the Migration Department office for your place of residence.
Book an appointmentGo to your appointment
Bring your original documents to the Migration Department office, confirm and sign your application, and give your fingerprints and photo where required. Pay the state fee as instructed by the Migration Department.
See appointment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “What do I bring and how do I pay at a Lithuania Migration Department permanent residence permit appointment?”
Wait for the decision
Follow your application in MIGRIS while the Migration Department makes its decision, and respond if it asks for more information.
Track your applicationCollect your residence card
If your application is approved, follow the instructions in MIGRIS and collect your residence card when instructed. You can use it to show your permanent residence status.
Find collection instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my Lithuania permanent residence permit card from the Migration Department?”
Declare your home address
If you did not declare your Lithuanian home address in your application or at the Migration Department, declare it at your local eldership after collecting your card.
Find declaration instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I declare my home address at an eldership in Lithuania after receiving a permanent residence permit?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Family relationship records *
Provide records showing each family link between you and your Lithuanian relative. Your birth certificate and your relatives’ birth or other family records can show those links.
* Only if you rely on a Lithuanian relative to show your descent.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationRelative's citizenship records *
Provide records showing that your Lithuanian relative held Lithuanian citizenship before 15 June 1940. Bring the originals of the records you use.
* Only if you use your relative's Lithuanian citizenship to show your descent.
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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