Lithuania citizenship by descent
Lithuania reinstates citizenship for descendants — to great-grandchild — of pre-1940 Lithuanian citizens who left before independence was restored. Check whether you qualify, build your lineage, and get a primary-source-backed document checklist and cost estimate.
Who may qualify
- An ancestor who held Lithuanian citizenship before 15 June 1940.
- Descendants to the great-grandchild (3 generations) qualify.
- The ancestor left before 11 March 1990 and not to the USSR after June 1940.
- Dual citizenship is retained for exiles/émigrés and their descendants.
A general overview — your eligibility depends on the specifics of your line. The free check gives a personalized answer.
Not sure where to start?
The free eligibility check takes about two minutes.
By ancestor path
Your relationship to the Lithuania ancestor determines which rules apply.
What you'll need
- Government fee
- Varies (confirm on the official fee page)
- Typical timeline
- ~4–12 months
- Where
- Migration Department (MIGRIS)
Key dates & laws
15 June 1940
Soviet occupation — ancestor must have been a citizen before this date.
11 March 1990
Independence restored; the ancestor must have left before this date.
Where it's processed
Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior
Tools
Guides
Frequently asked questions
- Who qualifies for Lithuania citizenship by descent?
- Eligibility runs through the Pre-1940 descent pathway and depends on your specific line of descent — which ancestor was a citizen, when, and whether the chain was ever broken by naturalization or other events. Run the free eligibility check for a personalized answer.
- Which authority decides Lithuania citizenship cases?
- Migration Department. EasyPassport is not affiliated with them; we help you organize and verify, and you submit to the authority directly.
- How long does it take?
- Timelines vary widely by route and backlog and are outside any service's control. Treat published averages as estimates and confirm current waits with the authority.
- Do I need to upload my passport or ID?
- No. EasyPassport never stores passports or government IDs — it's a checklist and organization tool, not a document vault.
- Is this legal advice?
- No. We use “may qualify” language because the authority makes the final determination. For an individualized opinion, consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction.
Other countries we support
EasyPassport is not affiliated with Migration Department, any government, or any consulate. This is a document-organization tool, not legal advice — always verify with the relevant authority.