2010 

4 November 2010, press release

The Law on Citizenship defines the principles of citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania, prescribes the basis, conditions and procedures for acquisition and loss of citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania and expands the possibilities of acquisition of dual citizenship. Article 7 indicates cases when a citizen of the Republic of Lithuania may at the same time hold citizenship of another state: persons exiled from Lithuania or those who left the country prior to 11 March 1990 and their descendants; people of Lithuanian descent who left the Republic of Lithuania after 11 March 1990 and acquired the citizenship of a European Union member state or a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation member country; persons who have acquired citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania and another state by birth or by contracting a marriage; a person adopted by citizens (citizen) of the Republic of Lithuania; and a citizen of the Republic of Lithuania adopted by citizens (citizen) of another state, who consequently acquired another state’s citizenship. 

The above amendments to the Law were adopted by 88 MPs in favour of the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania, 8 votes against and with 25 MPs abstained. The proposal for the Law, excluding its two articles, to become effective on 31 March 2011 was endorsed. This decision was taken in view of the fact that the Law was a complex and extensive document and that the Government would have to adopt relevant legal acts necessary for the implementation of this Law before it comes into effect. Moreover, the Seimas intends to address the Constitutional Court with a request to examine whether the provisions of Article 7 of the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania do not contradict the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania.

Public Relations Unit