Family Reunification for Lithuanian Citizens: How to Bring Non-EU Family Members into the EU

For many people who have obtained Lithuanian citizenship, one of the most meaningful benefits is the ability to live with their loved ones – no matter where those loved ones were born. Beyond the travel freedom and career opportunities that come with a Lithuanian passport, this citizenship opens the door to something far more personal: family unity. We’ve seen how emotional and transformative this can be.

Clients who restored Lithuanian citizenship by descent often tell us the same thing – that it’s not only about reclaiming their heritage, but also about ensuring their spouse, children, or parents can share in the life they build in Europe. This guide explains how family reunification works for Lithuanian (and other EU) citizens, what steps to take, and how our firm can make the process faster, clearer, and far less stressful.

 

The Legal Foundation: EU Freedom of Movement

When you hold Lithuanian citizenship, you are automatically a citizen of the European Union. This status gives you not only the right to live and work freely across EU and EEA countries, but also the right to be joined by your close family members, even if they are not EU nationals.

This is protected under Directive 2004/38/EC, commonly known as the EU Free Movement Directive. It ensures that an EU citizen – for example, someone with a Lithuanian passport living in Spain, Germany, or the Netherlands – can bring along immediate family members without facing the usual immigration barriers that apply to non-EU residents.

That means no lottery systems, no years-long waiting queues, and far fewer bureaucratic conditions. Family unity is recognized as a right, not a privilege.

 

Who Qualifies as a “Family Member”

Under EU law, the following relatives qualify for family reunification:

– Spouses or registered partners (same-sex or opposite-sex)

– Children under 21, or older children who are financially dependent

– Dependent parents or grandparents

– In some countries, unmarried partners who can prove a long-term, stable relationship

 

These family members do not need to be EU citizens themselves. For example, a Lithuanian citizen living in Portugal can reunite with a Brazilian spouse or a South African parent, provided the relationship or dependency is properly documented.

 

How It Works in Practice

Let’s imagine you’ve just received Lithuanian citizenship by descent and plan to relocate to the Netherlands. You can move there freely as an EU citizen. Once you’ve established residence, you may apply for family reunification for your non-EU spouse and children.

Your family members will typically need to provide:

– Valid passports

– Proof of family relationship (marriage or birth certificates)

– Proof that you, as the EU citizen, have housing and sufficient resources (in most countries this is minimal and not a strict income test)

– Health insurance coverage

 

After arrival, they apply for residence cards as family members of an EU citizen. These residence cards allow them to live, work, study, and access healthcare and other public services in the host country – under the same conditions as EU citizens.

The procedure is faster than standard immigration routes. In many EU states, initial approval takes one to three months, and residence cards are usually valid for five years, renewable indefinitely.

 

What Makes Lithuanian Citizenship So Advantageous

Not all countries allow dual nationality – but Lithuania does, especially when you’ve restored citizenship through ancestry. Holding a Lithuanian passport means you have full EU mobility and protection under EU law.

This advantage extends across borders. A Lithuanian citizen can bring family members to almost any EU country and rely on the uniform rules of Directive 2004/38/EC. Even if you live in Ireland, Spain, or France, your rights as an EU citizen from Lithuania are the same.

In practice, this gives you far more flexibility than applying for residence through a local work or family visa. It’s faster, more secure, and legally backed by the European Commission and Court of Justice precedents.

 

Special Considerations for Different Family Situations

Every family story is unique, and so is every reunification case.

– For spouses or partners: Proof of marriage or long-term cohabitation is essential. Where the relationship is less formally documented, we assist in preparing detailed evidence that meets local legal standards.

– For children: Birth certificates must show the parental link; in some cases, legalized or apostilled versions are needed.

– For parents or grandparents: Dependency – financial or otherwise – must be demonstrated through regular transfers or supporting documentation.

 

At IN JURE Law Firm, we tailor each case individually, ensuring that documentation is properly translated, certified, and meets the specific requirements of the country where you’ll live.

 

The IN JURE Approach: Clarity, Care, and Confidence

We understand how emotionally charged family reunification can be. You’re not just handling paperwork – you’re bringing your loved ones closer, sometimes after years apart.

Our team assists clients at every stage:

– Assessing eligibility for spouses, children, or dependent parents

– Preparing and translating all required documents

– Submitting and monitoring applications with local authorities in the EU country of residence

– Resolving any administrative or appeal issues that may arise

 

Because we work specifically with clients who have restored Lithuanian citizenship by descent, we understand how to connect your Lithuanian status with EU-wide legal rights – ensuring that you benefit fully from what EU citizenship offers.

 

Living Together in Europe

Once approved, your family members enjoy almost identical rights to you. They can:

– Work or study anywhere in the EU

– Travel freely within the Schengen Zone

– Access healthcare, education, and social systems on the same basis as residents

 

If they remain in the EU for five years, they can usually obtain permanent residency – and later, if they choose, citizenship in that country.

The result is not just convenience but stability: a unified family life under one legal umbrella, free from borders and long separations.

 

The Power of a Lithuanian Passport

For many, obtaining Lithuanian citizenship is the first step toward reconnecting with family heritage. But its real strength lies in the freedom it brings – the right to live, love, and build your future together anywhere in Europe.

→ Contact IN JURE Law Firm today to find out if you qualify for Lithuanian citizenship. Let’s help you live, work, and roam freely – the way remote life should be.

Back to articles