Lithuania: residency, citizenship and cost of living
Paths checked against sources: 2026-11
Path to citizenship
Lithuanian citizenship by naturalisation comes after 10 years of lawful permanent residence with a right of permanent residence (granted after 5 years of temporary residence and exams); you need Lithuanian and Constitution exams and a legal income. The Constitution bans dual citizenship — everyone must give up their previous one, EU citizens included; the 2024 referendum did not change this. Spouses of citizens — 7 years of marriage and living together in Lithuania (5 in some cases). Since 2023 Russian and Belarusian citizens face restrictions on visas and residence permits, stricter for Russians. Whether Ukrainians' temporary-protection time counts we could not find — the graph does not count it.
- • 10 years of lawful permanent residence
- • spouses of citizens — 7 years of marriage and living together in Lithuania
Citizenship application processing, years: 0.5–1.5.
Check your own pathMonthly budget
Average lifestyle, employed; data as of 11.2026. Deposits, furniture and the move itself are not included.
| City | Single | Family 2+2 |
|---|---|---|
| Vilnius | €1,390 | €3,210 |
| Kaunas | €1,250 | €2,910 |
| Klaipėda | €1,210 | €2,860 |
Country scores (out of 100)
- Safety80
- Earning potential80
- Healthcare76
- Path to citizenship30
- Schools and education61
- Environment77
- Warm, sunny climate27
Frequently asked questions
How do you get citizenship in Lithuania, and how long does it take?
10 years of lawful permanent residence; spouses of citizens — 7 years of marriage and living together in Lithuania. Processing takes 0.5–1.5 years. The questionnaire shows the timeline for your situation.
How do you get residency in Lithuania?
The main routes we cover: Temporary residence (work, business, study); Residence as the spouse of a Lithuanian citizen. The questionnaire shows which fit you and where they lead next.
Can I keep my citizenship in Lithuania?
Lithuania's Constitution bans dual citizenship: everyone who naturalises must give up their previous one, EU citizens included.
How much does it cost to live in Lithuania per month?
Per month, one person / family of four: Vilnius ≈ €1,390 / €3,210; Kaunas ≈ €1,250 / €2,910; Klaipėda ≈ €1,210 / €2,860. Average lifestyle, employed; data as of 11.2026.
How much is rent in Lithuania?
A home for one person, from modest to comfortable: Vilnius €635–€850; Kaunas €525–€700; Klaipėda €495–€660.
How up to date is this data?
Paths to citizenship checked against sources: 11.2026; budget as of 11.2026. Sources are listed on this page; rules change, so check official sites before deciding.
Sources
- Lithuanian Citizenship Law (Migration Department, «Renkuosi Lietuvą» portal, EMN Lithuania)
- A right of permanent residence — after 5 years of temporary residence and Lithuanian and Constitution exams. Since 2023 the restrictive-measures law limits visas and residence permits for Russian and Belarusian citizens (stricter for Russians); further tightening is discussed in 2026
This is not legal advice. Rules change — check official sources before deciding.