The Lithuanian passport is one of the world’s strongest travel documents. Issued by the Republic of Lithuania (an EU and Schengen Area member since 2004), it grants its holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 184–188 countries and territories (depending on the latest Henley Passport Index and Arton Capital rankings in 2025), consistently placing it in the global top 10.

Ranking and Visa-Free Access (2025)

As of 2025, the Lithuanian passport typically ranks between 6th and 9th worldwide. Citizens enjoy:

• Visa-free entry to the entire Schengen Area
• Visa-free access to the United Kingdom and Ireland
• 90-day visa-free stays in the United States under the ESTA program
• Visa-free or e-visaTA access to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and most of Latin America
• Visa-on-arrival or e-visa options for many African and Asian countries

Only a handful of countries (such as Singapore, Japan, and South Korea) regularly outrank it.

Benefits of Lithuanian Citizenship and Passport

• Full EU citizenship rights: live, work, study, and do business in any of the 27 EU countries without restrictions
• Access to European healthcare and education systems
• The right to vote in European Parliament and local elections
• Consular protection from any EU embassy worldwide
• Relatively low tax burden compared with many Western European nations

Design and Security Features

The current biometric Lithuanian passport (introduced in 2008 and updated several times) features:

• Polycarbonate data page
• Laser-engraved personal data and photo
• Holograms, UV-reactive elements, and microtext
• Electronic chip compliant with ICAO standards (containing facial image, fingerprints, and digital signature)

The cover is burgundy red (standard EU design) with the Lithuanian coat of arms (Vytis) and the words “Europos Sąjunga” and “Lietuvos Respublika”.

How to Obtain a Lithuanian Passport

1. By Birth or Descent – The most common route. Lithuania has generous jus sanguinis (right of blood) rules. If at least one parent or grandparent was a citizen of Lithuania at any time (even before 1940), descendants may be eligible for citizenship restoration.
2. Naturalization – Requires 10 years of legal residence (5 years if married to a Lithuanian citizen), passing a Lithuanian language and constitution exam, and renouncing other citizenships (dual citizenship is restricted for naturalized citizens).
3. Citizenship by Investment – Lithuania does not offer** a direct citizenship-by-investment program.
4. Special Merit – Rarely granted to athletes, artists, or investors of exceptional value to the state.

Dual Citizenship Rules

Lithuania generally prohibits dual citizenship for adults, with important exceptions:

• Persons who were citizens of Lithuania before June 15, 1940, and their descendants
• Children born to one Lithuanian parent
• Citizens who acquired another citizenship by marriage
• Certain refugees and political exiles

Since a landmark 2019 Constitutional Court ruling and subsequent laws, thousands of descendants of pre-1940 citizens have successfully restored Lithuanian citizenship while retaining their original nationality (most notably Americans, Canadians, Australians, South Africans, and Israelis).

Validity and Renewal

• Adult passports are valid for 10 years
• Children under 16 receive passports valid for 5 years
• Renewal can be done at any Lithuanian embassy/consulate worldwide or inside Lithuania Average processing time: 1 month (express service available)

Fun Fact

The Lithuanian passport is one of the few in the world that still contains a quote from the national anthem on the personal data page: “Lietuva, Tėvyne mūsų…” (“Lithuania, our homeland…”).

In short, the lithuanian passport is not only opens almost the entire world for visa-free travel but also serves as a powerful link to European rights and heritage — making it highly sought after by both native Lithuanians and eligible descendants worldwide.