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.

Pre-1940 descent · decided by Migration Department

Lithuanian 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.

Check your eligibility Book Expert Call

Grandparent or great-grandparent claim? Complex chain? Skip the research — talk to a Lithuania citizenship specialist in 30 minutes.

Free eligibility check~2 minutes

25 countries supported

Latest legal rules applied

Primary-source legal citations

No passport or ID uploads — ever

🇱🇹 Reinstated, not granted

Lithuania reinstates citizenship for descendants of pre-1940 citizens — out to the great-grandchild.

Eligibility

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. EasyPassport is not affiliated with Migration Department. We help you organize and verify your documents. You submit your application to Migration Department directly — we do not file, submit, or act on your behalf with any government authority.

Why Lithuania

What makes Lithuania different

Reinstatement for pre-1940 citizens' descendants

Open to descendants — to the great-grandchild — of people who held Lithuanian citizenship before 15 June 1940.

Two date conditions

The ancestor must have been a citizen before the 15 June 1940 Soviet occupation and have left before independence was restored on 11 March 1990.

Dual citizenship for exiles

Exiles and émigrés and their descendants retain dual citizenship.

Three-generation reach

Eligibility extends to the great-grandchild of the pre-1940 citizen.

Handled online via MIGRIS

The Migration Department processes claims through its MIGRIS system.

By ancestor path

Your relationship to the Lithuanian ancestor determines which rules apply

01PARENT

Through your parent

A parent descended from a pre-1940 Lithuanian citizen.

See requirements 02GRANDPARENT

Through your grandparent

Document the chain to the pre-1940 citizen ancestor.

See requirements 03GREAT-GRANDPARENT

Through your great-grandparent

The maximum reach (great-grandchild of the pre-1940 citizen).

See requirements

Process

How to apply

1
Anchor to a pre-1940 citizen
Identify the ancestor who held Lithuanian citizenship before 15 June 1940 and confirm they left before 11 March 1990.
2
Document the chain
Gather birth and marriage certificates linking you, within three generations, to that ancestor.
3
Gather proof of the ancestor's citizenship
Locate pre-1940 citizenship or residence evidence.
4
Translate and apostille
Provide Lithuanian translations and apostille foreign records.
5
File through MIGRIS
Submit the reinstatement application to the Migration Department.
6
Track to decision
Processing generally runs ~4–12 months; confirm current fees on the official page.

Choose your path

Do it yourself, or talk to a specialist?

Do it yourself

Free tool

Parent or grandparent claim with clear documentation
You know your ancestor held Lithuania citizenship
Records are legible and translated where needed
No broken-chain events (renunciation, timing gaps)

Start free check

Talk to a specialist

~~$199~~ $149(requires EasyPassport+)

Great-grandparent or further-back claim
Unsure whether a naturalization broke the chain
Mixed ancestry — multiple possible pathways
Want a professional to verify before gathering 10+ documents

Book a 30-minute call

At a glance

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

The rules that decide your case

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