EU – Baltic States, Law and Regulations, Legislation, Lithuania

The amendments to the Law on Citizenship were backed by 88 lawmakers, one was against. To come into force, the amendments need to be signed by Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite.

Under the existing version of the Law on Citizenship, dual citizenship is allowed for children who acquired citizenship of a different country by birth, however, they are required to choose the country they want to be citizens of by the age of 21.

The amendments would let such children keep their Lithuanian citizenship without restrictions.

Dual citizenship is also allowed for those who left the country before Lithuania restored its independence in 1990 and their descendants but those emigrated after independence cannot have dual citizenship.

Lithuania 's Constitutional Court has explained that any amendments on dual citizenship would have to involve constitutional changes, which can only be done by way of referendum. The parliament is considering holding a referendum next October. For the amendment to be enforced, it has to be supported by more than half of eligible voters.