If you qualify for citizenship in Lithuania, you can gather the necessary documents and apply directly through the Migration Department (known as Migracijos departamentas) without needing a citizenship lawyer.  

Naturalisation

Qualification Requirements for Lithuanian Citizenship through Naturalization:

• Residence Requirement: You must have legally and permanently lived in Lithuania for the past ten years
• Permanent Residency: You need to have the right of permanent residence in Lithuania when you apply and when a decision is made
• Language Proficiency: You'll need to pass a state language exam
• Constitutional Knowledge: You'll also need to pass a test on the basics of the Lithuanian Constitution. The same exemptions apply as with the language exam
• Financial Stability: You must have a legal source of income
• Citizenship Status: You should be stateless or willing to renounce your current citizenship if your country requires it when acquiring Lithuanian citizenship 
• Legal Standing: Ensure that there are no disqualifying circumstances, as outlined in Article 22 of the Law on Citizenship

 IMPORTANT: There are exemptions regarding language exam for: 

• People aged 65 or older 
• Those with a work capacity rated at 0-55% 
• Individuals of pensionable age with special needs 
• Those with serious chronic mental disorders

State language and Constitution exams 

First, you will have to take the state language exam. The state language exam consists of two parts: a test and an interview. The first category of state language proficiency is applied for the state language exam. After passing the state language exam, you have to take the Lithuanian Constitution basics exam. The exam is conducted in writing (in the form of a test). A person who, for objective reasons (e.g., disability), is unable to take the exams in writing may take them orally. 

A certificate is issued within 5 working days after passing the exams. 

There is no limit to the number of exam attempts. 

For further details on the language and constitutional exams, please contact the Education Development Centre: 

• Address: D. Katkaus str. 44, Vilnius 

• Phone: (8 5) 275 2362  

Disqualifying Factors 

Citizenship will not be granted to individuals who have committed international crimes, criminal acts against Lithuania, been imprisoned for serious premeditated crimes or are ineligible to obtain a document proving permanent residence in Lithuania. 

Required Documents 

When applying, include the following: 

• Proof of identity
• Proof of permanent residence in Lithuania at the time of application
• Proof of ten years of legal permanent residence in Lithuania
• Proof of legal means of subsistence
• Certificates of passing the state language and Constitution exams (with noted exemptions)
• A certificate from a competent foreign institution confirming no serious criminal convictions abroad 

Special Provisions for Married Individuals 

If you are married to a Lithuanian citizen, you may be eligible for citizenship if: 

• You have lived with your spouse in Lithuania for at least seven years
• You meet the permanent residence, language, and constitutional knowledge requirements
• You are stateless or agree to renounce your current citizenship
• You meet all other general eligibility criteria

If your Lithuanian spouse has passed away, you may still qualify if you lived in Lithuania with your spouse for at least one year; you have resided in Lithuania for the past five years and you meet the other residency, language, and constitutional requirements. 

Losing Lithuanian Citizenship 

You can lose your citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania under the following circumstances: 

• Renunciation: Voluntarily renouncing your Lithuanian citizenship
• Acquiring Another Citizenship: Being granted citizenship of another country, except in cases specified by the Citizenship Law
• International Treaties: As stipulated by international treaties involving Lithuania
• Foreign Civil Service: Working in the civil service of another country without permission from the Lithuanian government
• Fraud: Obtaining Lithuanian citizenship through falsified documents or fraudulent means
• Dual Citizenship Requirements: If you have dual citizenship and fail to renounce your foreign citizenship by the age of 21, as required by parts 6 and 7 of Article 7 of the Citizenship Law

Simplified procedure 

People of Lithuanian descent who have never had citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania have the right to acquire citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania under a simplified procedure regardless of whether they are permanent residents the Republic of Lithuania or any another state. Upon acquiring citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania they must renounce citizenship of another state. The requirement to have lived in Lithuania for a certain time period, to pass the examination of the Lithuanian language and the fundamentals of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania is not applicable to them. Lithuanian descent is proved by submitting documents which specify that the person’s parents or grandparents or one of the parents or grandparents are or were Lithuanians, as well as the person’s written application whereby they are declaring that they consider themselves to be a Lithuanian. 

Restoration of Citizenship 

People who possessed citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania prior to June 15, 1940 and their children and grandchildren who had not acquired citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania prior to coming into effect of the Republic of Lithuania Law on Citizenship (2002) have an open-ended right to restore citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania regardless of whether they are permanent residents the Republic of Lithuania or any another state. The person can prove the fact that they have the right to restore the citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania by submitting documents certifying the possession of citizenship prior to June 15, 1940 and leaving Lithuania prior to March 11, 1990. With certain exceptions a person who wants to restore the citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania has to renounce any other citizenships of other states already in possession.