Lithuania: Citizenship by Descent

Up to great-grandparent (3rd generation), provided the root qualifying ancestor held Lithuanian citizenship before June 15, 1940 (Soviet occupation date). The "diaspora exception" under Article 7 allows dual citizenship without renouncing a foreign passport. This is Lithuania's most permissive and unique feature.

• –June 15, 1940 is the key anchor date: The qualifying ancestor MUST have held Lithuanian citizenship before this date (Soviet occupation). Descendants of people who migrated to Lithuania after the war and became Soviet citizens do not qualify.
• –Diaspora Dual Citizenship Exception (Article 7): This is Lithuania's standout feature. Persons who were deported from occupied Lithuania before March 11, 1990, and their descendants (child, grandchild, great-grandchild), can hold Lithuanian citizenship simultaneously with their foreign citizenship WITHOUT renouncing. This is explicitly permitted.
• –Standard route vs. diaspora exception: If the ancestor left voluntarily after independence (post-1990), the dual citizenship exception doesn't apply and the applicant may need to choose (or consult attorney for latest dual citizenship rules).
• –Language requirement: None for restoration based on pre-1940 ancestry.
• –No residency requirement.