For Lithuanian citizens living abroad, a clear reminder: citizenship brings rights and duties

17 birželio, 2026 Naujienos

For many people, dual citizenship and life abroad offer broader personal and professional horizons. Yet these freedoms come with obligations that remain firmly anchored in the laws. Citizenship is not only a matter of identity or legal status – it also carries security-related responsibilities. This becomes especially important in situations where a Lithuanian citizen wishes to serve in a foreign state institution or, while living abroad, appears on Lithuania’s military conscription lists.

Today, the regulatory framework is strict. And although legislative changes planned for 2026 may streamline some procedures (if approved by the Parliament, should come into force on 1^st of October 2026), one principle remains unchanged: a Lithuanian citizen is expected to fulfil obligations towards the state, including those linked to national security.

Serving in a foreign state institution: permit to serve is mandatory

Under current legislation, Lithuanian citizens are prohibited from serving in a foreign country’s military or other statutory service without official permission.

The process begins at the Ministry of the Interior, where the applicant must submit a formal request for permit detailing the intended service and relevant documents. The Ministry of the Interior then consults multiple national institutions – including the State Security Department, the Ministry of National Defense, the Police Department and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – to assess whether the foreign service might pose risks to Lithuania’s security interests.

However, the Ministry of the Interior does not make the final decision. The Government of Lithuania is the only authority empowered to approve or deny the permit.

Failure to obtain the permit can have serious consequences. A Lithuanian citizen who serves in a foreign military or uniformed service without the required permit may lose their Lithuanian citizenship.

Lithuanian citizens living abroad are not exempt from military obligations

A common misconception among expatriates is that once they declare departure or obtain an additional citizenship, their military obligation in Lithuania disappears. Lithuanian law says otherwise.

All Lithuanian citizens aged 18–60 are subject to military duty, regardless of where they live or how many citizenships they hold, and must keep their contact details updated if they reside abroad for more than six months.
Actual compulsory initial military service mainly applies to men aged 18–22, following recent reforms narrowing the core conscription age.

In specific situations – such as deferred service, failure to report, or possessing skills needed by the armed forces – conscription may extend up to age 23 or, in some cases, 31. Men and women aged 18–39 may enlist voluntarily, while mobilization and reserve obligations can apply to all citizens up to age 60 in case of national emergency.

If a citizen moves abroad for more than six months, they must notify the regional branch of the Lithuanian Conscription and Recruitment Service. They are required to provide their actual foreign address and up-to-date contact details. This information is essential for reaching them in case of mobilization or conscription.

Conscription applies even abroad – ignoring it can lead to legal consequences

If a Lithuanian citizen living abroad is included in the annual conscription lists, they must cooperate with the Lithuanian authorities. That may mean travelling to Lithuania or submitting required documents remotely. Communication can be done via registered mail, e-mail, Lithuania’s e-Delivery system or through an authorized representative. Documents may be submitted in Lithuanian or English.

If travel to Lithuania is necessary, conscripts are eligible for reimbursement of travel expenses – with different compensation limits depending on whether they reside within or outside Europe.

However, the mandatory medical examination that determines whether service may be deferred or waived is carried out exclusively in Lithuania, at the Military Medical Expertise Commission.

Those who ignore notices or fail to communicate with the authorities may be declared wanted and face administrative or other legal consequences.

What about those who restored Lithuanian citizenship but never lived in Lithuania?

Citizens who reinstated Lithuanian citizenship based on ancestry – but have never lived in Lithuania – are still subject to conscription. They must register their foreign address, maintain contact with Lithuanian authorities and respond to any conscription-related communication.

Because they have no established residence in Lithuania, procedures are administered based on documents proving their residence abroad.

In such cases, individual legal advice is strongly recommended.

Planned reforms: a more flexible system, without reducing responsibility

In 2026, the Ministry of the Interior proposed changes that would simplify the procedure of getting the permit to serve abroad.

Currently, permits for citizens of the Republic of Lithuania to serve in the service of a foreign state are issued by the Government; however, the proposed draft decentralizes this function, assigning decision-making to the Minister of the Interior (for civilian service) and the Minister of National Defense (for military service), while introducing more detailed and stricter assessment criteria related to national security, foreign policy, and public order, as well as strengthening oversight through an obligation to obtain a permit, active involvement of institutions in risk assessment, and a clear mechanism for addressing cases where individuals serve without a permit. In essence, this represents a shift from a centralized political decision-making model to a more specialized, security-based regulatory framework. The consequence will remain the same – if foreign service poses risks to national security or no permit for serving from the competent authority has been obtained, it may result in the loss of Lithuanian citizenship.

The reform also proposes eliminating the permit requirement for certain forms of foreign service – except in cases where the foreign state demands citizenship or an oath of allegiance. This would make it easier for Lithuanian citizens to join certain foreign institutions without jeopardizing their legal status.

Knowing the law is the best safeguard

Dual citizenship and living abroad do not diminish a citizen’s responsibilities to Lithuania. Foreign service, military obligations and citizenship retention are issues that require careful evaluation – especially before making decisions such as long-term relocation or applying to restore Lithuanian citizenship while keeping another.

This article provides only a general overview, but real-world cases often involve legal nuances. Anyone facing decisions related to foreign service, conscription or citizenship status should consult a legal professional to fully understand potential risks and ensure compliance with Lithuanian law.

This article was written by private law expert, Associate Partner, Attorney-at-Law Monika Misiūnienė.

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