How Lithuanian Citizenship Affects Your Children and Future Generations

Restoring Lithuanian citizenship by descent is not just a personal decision—it’s an investment in your family’s future. More and more applicants today are not only thinking about the immediate benefits of holding an EU passport but also about what it means for their children and future generations.

At IN JURE Law Firm, we’ve seen this motivation time and time again: parents and grandparents seeking to give their families access to broader opportunities in education, work, healthcare, and global mobility. In this article, we explore how restoring Lithuanian citizenship can shape the lives of your children—and their children—for decades to come.

 

Can Lithuanian Citizenship Be Passed to Your Children?

 

Yes—Lithuanian citizenship can be passed down to your children under certain conditions.

If you restore Lithuanian citizenship by descent, your children born after you become a Lithuanian citizen are generally eligible to receive citizenship automatically. In some cases, children born before you receive your citizenship may also qualify, but they may need to go through a separate application process depending on age and other factors.

Furthermore, grandchildren and great-grandchildren may also be eligible, provided the family can trace descent from a Lithuanian citizen who held citizenship before June 15, 1940, and left Lithuania no earlier than 1918 and before March 11, 1990.

At IN JURE, we assess multi-generational eligibility on a case-by-case basis and assist in documenting and proving lineage for both parents and children.

 

Long-Term Benefits for Children and Future Generations

 

1. Educational Opportunities in the EU

As Lithuanian citizens, your children will gain access to top-tier European universities with significantly reduced or even free tuition. For example:

– In Germany, most universities are tuition-free for EU citizens.

– In the Netherlands, average tuition fees are around €1,000–€2,000 per year—compared to €6,000–€15,000 for non-EU students.

 

This opens the door to world-class education without crippling student debt.

 

2. Freedom to Live and Work Anywhere in the EU

With Lithuanian (EU) citizenship, your children will be free to:

– Work in any of the 27 EU member states without applying for visas or work permits.

– Relocate to any EU country and gain immediate access to housing, healthcare, and schools.

– Enjoy legal protections and labor rights under EU laws.

 

This is especially valuable in today’s global job market where flexibility and mobility are key to career growth.

 

3. Access to Healthcare and Social Benefits

As EU citizens, your children and future generations will have access to:

– Quality public healthcare systems across the EU.

– Family-related social security benefits, including maternity/paternity leave and child allowances in many member states.

– The ability to live in countries that offer strong social safety nets and high quality of life.

 

4. Travel Without Borders

A Lithuanian passport allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 180 countries worldwide. For children, this means:

– The ability to travel, study, intern, and volunteer abroad without facing travel barriers.

– Easy access to international exchange programs and youth mobility opportunities.

 

Diving Deeper: Passing Lithuanian Citizenship to Future Generations

 

Lithuanian citizenship can be a legacy—passed not only to your children, but to future generations, as long as legal requirements are met. If you have an ancestor who held Lithuanian citizenship and you are their child, grandchild, or great-grandchild (up to the third generation), you may be eligible to restore Lithuanian citizenship.

The process does not require your parent to restore their citizenship first. If both you and your child meet the generational requirement, your applications can be submitted at the same time. This is a common misconception, and at IN JURE, we ensure families clearly understand their rights and options.

 

The Long-Term Benefit: Securing Citizenship for Future Generations

 

One of the greatest advantages of restoring citizenship now—especially if you are already the third generation—is that your future children (the fourth generation) will acquire Lithuanian citizenship automatically at birth. They will not need to go through the restoration process themselves. Their citizenship will be recognized by right of birth, and all that will be required is registering their birth in Lithuania (civil registration).

This automatic inheritance continues to the next generation: your grandchildren will also be Lithuanian citizens by birth. That’s why we encourage clients in the third generation—especially those who haven’t yet had children—to act promptly and restore their citizenship, securing this benefit for their future family.

 

Dual Citizenship for Children: What You Need to Know

 

Under current Lithuanian law, dual citizenship is permitted in specific situations, particularly when restoring citizenship by descent. If your child acquires another citizenship at birth (for example, from their other parent or the country of birth), they are typically allowed to retain both until the age of 21.

In some cases, they may later be asked to choose one citizenship. However, exceptions apply to those who restore citizenship by descent, and we carefully assess each case to ensure long-term compliance and retention.

 

How to Prepare: Restoring Citizenship for You and Your Child

 

If you’re planning to restore citizenship for yourself and your child, here’s how to proceed:

– You can apply for both at the same time. There is no legal requirement that your citizenship be restored first.

– Prepare documentation for both. This includes birth certificates, proof of Lithuanian descent, and legalized translations.

– Work with experienced legal support. At IN JURE, we help streamline family applications, ensuring accuracy and clarity from start to finish.

 

How Long Does the Process Take?

 

The full process of restoring Lithuanian citizenship typically takes 14–16 months, but this can vary depending on your personal situation and document availability. Here’s how the timeline usually breaks down:

Initial Assessment and Research (6–8 weeks):

We evaluate your eligibility and conduct archival research to confirm your Lithuanian ancestry. You gather documents on your side while we search the Lithuanian archives.

In some cases, document retrieval—especially for older generations—can take six months or longer depending on availability.

Document Preparation and Application (4–8 weeks):

Once all documents are collected, we handle all translations, notarizations, and legalization needed for submission.

Application Review by the Migration Department (up to 12 months):

The Lithuanian Migration Department then processes your application. Most decisions are made within 12 months, though some cases may be resolved sooner or take longer based on their complexity.

 

Why Now Is the Best Time to Apply

 

The number of people applying for EU citizenship is rising every year, and governments are continuously reviewing laws on dual citizenship, emigration timelines, and documentation requirements.

If you qualify, applying now ensures your children and grandchildren can benefit from Lithuanian citizenship while the current laws are still favorable.

 

How IN JURE Can Help

 

At IN JURE Law Firm, we specialize in restoring Lithuanian citizenship by descent and navigating multi-generational family cases. Here’s how we support you:

– Eligibility Assessment – We confirm whether you and your children qualify.

– Archive Research – We locate and retrieve historical documents from Lithuania.

– Application Management – We prepare, submit, and track your application through every step.

– Family-Focused Services – We assist with applications for children and future generations.

 

Most importantly, we operate on a 100% success fee basis. This means you only pay if your application is approved.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Restoring Lithuanian citizenship isn’t just about reconnecting with your heritage—it’s about creating meaningful opportunities for your family’s future. From education and employment to health and travel, the benefits are wide-reaching and long-lasting.

If you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to IN JURE Law Firm today. Let us help you unlock a European future for your children and the generations to come.

Back to articles