Lithuania
ISO2: LT
Lithuanian citizenship by naturalisation through residence: standard 10-year lawful permanent residence requirement with a right of permanent residence, Lithuanian language and Constitution exams, MIGRIS + Migration Department submission workflow, required documents and offices, official sources, and dual citizenship policy (as of 2026).
Passport
Citizenship by residence
- Minimum years of residence
- 10.0
- Requires permanent residence
- Yes
- Last updated
- Feb. 27, 2026
- Notes
- Standard naturalisation requires lawful permanent residence in Lithuania for at least 10 years and holding the right of permanent residence. Applicants must generally demonstrate a legal source of means of subsistence and pass exams in the basics of the Lithuanian language and the Constitution. Reduced residence timelines may apply in specific cases described in official guidance (e.g., 7 years for a person married to a Lithuanian citizen and residing permanently in Lithuania with the spouse; 5 years for a stateless person). Applications are handled through the Migration Department workflow (including use of the MIGRIS system and in-person submission/verification steps via a booked visit to a territorial office).
- Dual citizenship
-
Dual citizenship: Conditional
Renunciation required: YesSpecial cases: Dual citizenship is allowed only in specific cases set out in the Law on Citizenship (e.g., acquiring another citizenship at birth and other enumerated exceptions).
- Notes for dual citizenship
- Lithuania generally does not allow dual/multiple citizenship. For naturalisation applicants, this typically means prior citizenship must be renounced unless the person falls under a legally permitted exception case.
Qualifying residence permits
EU Blue Card / highly skilled TRP (subset of TRP)
Counts as lawful residence as a temporary residence status; applicant must still meet the naturalisation conditions and hold the right of permanent residence at application.
Counts
Permanent residence permit / EU long-term resident status
Represents the right of permanent residence, which is required for naturalisation in official guidance.
Counts
Short-stay visa / visa-free / Schengen stay
Does not constitute the lawful permanent residence basis required for naturalisation; naturalisation requires proof of long-term lawful permanent residence and a right of permanent residence.
Doesn’t count
Temporary residence permit (TRP) – lawful residence basis
Lawful residence evidenced by temporary residence permits generally counts toward the residence period, but naturalisation requires holding the right of permanent residence when applying.
Counts
Required documents
| Document | Mandatory | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Lithuania citizenship by naturalisation (MIGRIS + Migration Department)
Naturalisation procedure for foreign residents via MIGRIS and the Migration Department; standard 10-year lawful permanent residence + permanent residence right.
|
Mandatory | Submit the naturalisation request through the official process (MIGRIS + Migration Department). |
|
Lithuanian language + Constitution exam certificates
Document proving successful completion of examinations in the basics of Lithuanian language and the Constitution (with official exemptions where applicable).
|
Mandatory | Listed as required: proof of successful examinations in the basics of Lithuanian language and the Constitution (unless exempt). |
|
Passport (travel document)
Valid passport/travel document for identity and nationality.
|
Mandatory | Listed as a required document for naturalisation. |
|
Proof of legal means of subsistence
Documents proving a legal source of means of subsistence.
|
Mandatory | Listed as required: documents proving legal means of subsistence. |
|
Proof of permanent residence right (permanent residence permit)
Document certifying the right of permanent residence in Lithuania.
|
Mandatory | Listed as required: document certifying the right of permanent residence in Lithuania. |
|
Proof of qualifying residence period (10/7/5 years, as applicable)
Documents certifying lawful permanent residence in Lithuania for the required period (standard 10 years; reduced cases may apply).
|
Mandatory | Listed as required: documents proving lawful permanent residence for at least 10 years (or reduced cases). |
|
Any additional documents requested by Migration Department
The authority may request additional documents depending on the case and submitted evidence.
|
Optional | The authority may request additional documents depending on the case. |
Submission offices
Migration Department – Territorial office (citizenship application submission)
NATIONAL
· Vilnius
Official naturalisation guidance and document list; applicants book a visit to a territorial office for citizenship submission/verification steps.
MIGRIS – Lithuanian Migration Information System (online submissions)
Online
Online system used for citizenship-related applications/procedures and document uploads in the official workflow.
Official sources
EU Commission – Lithuania pathways to citizenship (PDF)
Government
EU overview document summarizing naturalisation conditions including 10 years (7 if married to a Lithuanian citizen; 5 if stateless) and the requirement for the right of permanent residence.
en
Migracija.lt – Procedure for citizenship documents via MIGRIS (approved procedure notice)
Government
Describes submission via MIGRIS and annexing digital copies / certified copies per the approved procedure.
en
Migration.lt – Dual citizenship in Lithuania (Article 7 cases + referendum context)
Government
Explains that dual citizenship is permitted only in specified legal cases (Law on Citizenship Article 7).
en
Migration.lt – Naturalization (requirements + document list)
Government
Official guidance: eligibility framed around 10 years lawful permanent residence and required documents (passport, permanent residence right, proof of residence period, means of subsistence, and exams).
en
Latest ranking snapshot
As of Feb. 27, 2026
- Travel freedom181.00
- Residency rights31.00
- Quality of life178.20
- Economic freedom74.60
- Tax friendliness30.00
Composite ranking based on travel freedom (visa_free), residency rights (residency_rights_n), quality of life (qol_index), economic freedom, tax friendliness (taxation_score), and disposable income after tax (net_salary_usd). Source: passport_composite_ranking_top150.csv.