Lithuanian Citizenship Through Ancestry
Lithuania is a country shaped by strength and story, famous for its resilient national identity as well as its natural beauty.
Over the last century, political upheaval, occupation, and displacement forced many Lithuanian families to emigrate, often severing their legal ties to the country they once called home.
Today, that connection doesn’t have to remain lost. If your parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent left Lithuania, you may be eligible to reclaim your Lithuanian citizenship.
Eligible Generations
Up to your great-grandparents
Travel Required?
No (apply via consulate)
Ways to Apply
2 ways
Language requirement?
No
A Baltic heritage that still belongs to you.
Lithuanian citizenship by descent is an opportunity to reconnect with your family’s origins, and to regain the right to live, work, and study freely across the 27 European Union countries
Why Does Lithuania Offer Citizenship by Descent?
Throughout the 20th century, Lithuania endured occupations, deportations, and mass emigration. As a result, millions of Lithuanians and their descendants built lives abroad, many losing their citizenship in the process.
Today, Lithuania acknowledges that loss. By offering a legal path to restore citizenship through ancestry, the government affirms its connection to the global Lithuanian community and helps descendants reestablish ties that history interrupted.
Live, work, and study in any of the 27 countries throughout the European Union with no restrictions.
Who Can Apply?
You may qualify for Lithuanian citizenship if you can answer yes to one of the following:
- Do you have a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent who was deported from Lithuania before March 11, 1990?
- Do you have a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent who voluntarily left occupied Lithuania before March 11, 1990?
Sounds like your story? You may be eligible. Take the assessment to find out.
Want to find if you are eligible for Lithuanian Citizenship?
Simple 3-step process to discover your eligibility
1. Tell us (or your genealogist) about your family
Share your family details. Enter them yourself or connect with a genealogist for help.
2. We analyze with AI + experts
AI processes fast. Experts ensure your case is as accurate as possible.
3. Receive your report
Get your eligibility analysis. Follow the steps. Start your path to citizenship.
What You'll Receive
A comprehensive eligibility report tailored to your family history
Your Eligibility Report Includes:
- Assessment of all EU countries based on your lineage
- Clear eligibility decision for each country
- Detailed reasoning and relevant laws explained
- Specific next steps and requirements
Eligible for dual citizenship? We can help you achieve it
If you find out you are eligible for dual citizenship with our report, we offer additional services to assist with document collection and application processing
Your guide to Lithuanian Citizenship
We cover essential information regarding applying for and achieving EU nationality through ancestry. This blog also explores relocation resources, citizenship programs outside of the EU, and more.
"The idea of applying for Hungarian citizenship always felt overwhelming—until I found Citizenship.EU. They helped me figure out if I could qualify through my great-grandfather and put me in touch with professionals who handled everything".
James Nagy
Chicago, USA
"My grandfather was born in Sicily, and I always dreamed of reclaiming that part of my identity. I had no idea where to start or whether I even qualified. Citizenship.EU made the process so much less intimidating".
Elena G
New York, USA
“I knew my grandmother was born in County Mayo, but I wasn’t sure if I could actually get Irish citizenship. Citizenship.EU walked me through the whole eligibility check. I received my Irish citizenship certificate last month and my passport is on the way”!
Maeve O’Sullivan
New Hampshire, USA
Get the Lithuanian citizenship guide
Unlock detailed information on timelines, required documents, and legal pathways all in one place.
Frequently asked questions
How can I get Lithuanian citizenship through descent?
To get Lithuanian citizenship through descent, you must prove that you are a direct descendant of someone who was a Lithuanian citizen prior to June 15, 1940, and who left the country before March 11, 1990. This typically involves providing documentation such as birth, marriage, and emigration records that clearly show your family connection to the Lithuanian citizen. Once your application and supporting documents are approved by the Migration Department of Lithuania, you are granted citizenship. Citizenship.EU can assess whether you qualify under these rules and refer you to professionals who can help gather the right records and prepare your application for submission.
Who is entitled to a Lithuanian passport?
Only individuals who are recognized as Lithuanian citizens are entitled to apply for a Lithuanian passport. This includes those who have acquired citizenship by descent and been registered in the official population registry. Once your citizenship is confirmed and your ID code is issued, you can apply for a passport at a Lithuanian embassy or in Lithuania itself. Citizenship.EU can help you confirm whether you’re eligible for citizenship in the first place and guide you through the steps needed to reach the passport application stage.
Can Jewish descendants apply for Lithuanian citizenship by descent?
Yes, Jewish descendants of Lithuanian citizens may qualify for citizenship if they can prove direct ancestry to a person who held Lithuanian citizenship before 1940 and lost it due to persecution, war, or emigration. Many Jewish families were displaced during the Holocaust and Soviet occupation, and Lithuanian law recognizes this historical context. The process may require accessing international or Lithuanian archives to obtain proof. Citizenship.EU helps determine if you’re eligible under these circumstances and can refer you to archival researchers and legal experts familiar with Jewish heritage claims.
Can I get Lithuanian citizenship through a great-grandparent?
Yes, Lithuania allows citizenship by descent through a great-grandparent if you can prove your direct, uninterrupted lineage. This means submitting records that show the family connection from your great-grandparent down to you, along with evidence of your ancestor’s Lithuanian citizenship before 1940. While more complex than claiming through a parent or grandparent, this path is still legally recognized. Citizenship.EU can help assess your ancestry and connect you with professionals to verify documents and establish your case.
What are the benefits of Lithuanian citizenship?
Lithuanian citizenship grants you full rights as a European Union citizen. This includes the ability to live, work, study, and travel freely throughout the EU and Schengen Area. You gain access to public healthcare and education in Lithuania, the right to vote in Lithuanian and EU elections, and the ability to pass citizenship on to your children. Many also pursue Lithuanian citizenship to reconnect with their heritage or reclaim family identity. Citizenship.EU helps you explore whether you’re eligible and supports you in beginning the process.
Who is entitled to a Lithuanian passport?
Only individuals who are recognized as Lithuanian citizens are entitled to apply for a Lithuanian passport. This includes those who have acquired citizenship by descent and been registered in the official population registry. Once your citizenship is confirmed and your ID code is issued, you can apply for a passport at a Lithuanian embassy or in Lithuania itself. Citizenship.EU can help you confirm whether you’re eligible for citizenship in the first place and guide you through the steps needed to reach the passport application stage.
How can Citizenship.EU assist me with the process?
Citizenship.EU helps you begin the journey by confirming whether you’re eligible for Lithuanian citizenship by descent. They don’t provide legal services, but once your eligibility is confirmed, they connect you with trusted professionals—such as document retrieval specialists, genealogists, and immigration advisors—who can assist with every step of the formal application. Whether your case is simple or involves research into complex family history, Citizenship.EU makes sure you start in the right direction with the right support.
Do I need to live in Lithuania to apply for citizenship by descent?
No, you do not need to reside in Lithuania to apply. You can submit your application through a Lithuanian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. All necessary documentation and communication can be handled remotely, making the process accessible from anywhere in the world. Citizenship.EU can guide you on how to prepare your file for submission abroad and refer you to experts who are familiar with consular procedures.
Start with your past.
Start building your future.
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Still have questions? Let’s talk
Have a specific question about your case, documents, or eligibility? We’d love to hear it and it might even help us shape new resources.
