Can You Have Dual Citizenship with Lithuania? | Lithuanian Dual Citizenship by Descent

If you have Lithuanian roots and live outside of Lithuania, you might be eligible for Lithuanian dual citizenship — without giving up your current nationality. This article explains who qualifies, what documents are required, and how to apply.

Eligibility for Dual Citizenship with Lithuania

Under the current Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania, certain individuals can hold Lithuanian citizenship alongside the citizenship of another country.
When Dual Citizenship Is Allowed

Under Article 7, a person may hold dual citizenship with Lithuania if they meet at least one of the following conditions:

1. You Acquired Both Citizenships at Birth

If you were born with both Lithuanian and another citizenship, you may legally retain both.

2. You or Your Ancestor Left Lithuania Before March 11, 1990

You are eligible if:

• You personally left Lithuania before March 11, 1990, or

• You are a descendant (child, grandchild, etc.) of someone who did

This is the most common path for members of the Lithuanian diaspora to obtain dual citizenship.

3. You or Your Ancestor Was Exiled from Occupied Lithuania

This includes individuals deported or exiled by occupying regimes (e.g., Soviet or Nazi authorities). Descendants of such individuals are also eligible.

4. You Acquired Foreign Citizenship Through Marriage

If you automatically acquired a foreign nationality by marrying a citizen of another country, this is a valid legal basis.

5. You Were Adopted

Special provisions apply to individuals under age 18 who were adopted by citizens of Lithuania or another state.

6. You Were Granted Lithuanian Citizenship by Exception

This applies to individuals with outstanding merits to the state, those granted citizenship for humanitarian reasons, or those who had refugee status in Lithuania.

7. You Acquired Lithuanian Citizenship at Birth and Foreign Citizenship Before Age 18 (Not at Birth)

If you were born a citizen of Lithuania and acquired another citizenship before turning 18, but not by birth, you may be allowed to retain both citizenships.
This applies to children who, for example, gain foreign citizenship later through parents, adoption, or residence abroad.

When Dual Citizenship Is Not Allowed

If you do not fall into any of the legal categories listed above, and you are applying for Lithuanian citizenship by naturalization, you will generally be required to renounce your current citizenship.

Required Documents for Descent-Based Dual Citizenship

If you are applying based on descent:

• You must prove that your ancestor was a citizen of Lithuania,

• That they left Lithuania before March 11, 1990, or were exiled,

• That you are a direct descendant (child, grandchild, great-grandchild).

Official records such as passports, military service files, civil registry documents or migration papers and etc. will be needed to support your case.

Common Misconceptions

• “Anyone with Lithuanian ancestry qualifies.” – Not true. You must prove your ancestor held Lithuanian citizenship and left before March 11, 1990.

• “The important date is June 15, 1940.” – Incorrect. That date is often mentioned, but the relevant legal threshold is March 11, 1990.

• “Ethnic Lithuanians can apply automatically.” – False. The law is based on citizenship status, not ethnicity.

Need Legal Advice or Support?

We specialize in helping individuals reclaim, restore or reinstate Lithuanian citizenship, including dual citizenship eligibility assessment and full legal support throughout the process.

Contact us for a free consultation.