Lithuania forbade Russians without a residence permit to buy housing in the country

The Lithuanian Diet adopted a law on new restrictions for citizens of Russia and Belarus in connection with military aggression against Ukraine. The innovations relate to the receipt of citizenship, residence permit and visas, as well as the purchase of real estate in the country.

Citizenship

The suspension of the acceptance of applications for citizenship will affect both citizens of the Russian Federation and citizens of Belarus.

Only persons who are entitled to obtain citizenship by naturalization, in respect of whom the process have already begun, as well as exiled, their descendants, will be able to apply for it.

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The law implies a ban on the issuance of a residence permit to citizens of Russia. Initially, Belarusians could also fall under these restrictions, but in the process of debate they were excluded.

Lithuania will be able to make exceptions for Russians only in cases where the Lithuanian diplomat will act as an intermediary, or if a citizen of the Russian Federation has a Schengen visa or a residence permit of any of the countries of the European Union.

Real estate

Only Russians were also banned from buying real estate in Lithuania. The restrictions concern both citizens and legal entities controlled by them. Exceptions: Russians with a residence permit or permanent residence, as well as real estate heirs.

Visas

The issuance of visas to citizens of both countries abroad will be completely suspended. Exceptions: if the Foreign Ministry acts as an intermediary.

76 deputies of the Lithuanian parliament voted for the adoption of this law, and 13 more deputies abstained from voting.

The restrictions will be valid from May 3 this year to May 2 of the following. Later, the Lithuanian Diet will be able to extend their action.

The need to accept the law, its authors, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Agnes Bilotai and the chairman of the Seim of National Security and Defense Laurinas Kashnas, were explained "by a decrease in possible risks for the national security of Lithuania."

In addition, the explanatory note to the amendments noted that new restrictions are one of the ways to hold the civilian population of the Russian Federation, which, as the authors of the bill are convinced of the war, for the most part supports military aggression.

• After the start of Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, Lithuania, like the European Union, announced the support of the Ukrainian side of the conflict. Since September 19, Lithuania has banned the entry into their territory to Russians and citizens of Belarus with tourist Schengen visas. The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense also reported that from September, the NATO team will be deployed in Lithuania.
• In January 2023, Estonia and Latvia also announced to lower the level of diplomatic relations with Russia and the expulsion of its ambassadors.
• Consulates in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in St. Petersburg and Pskov were closed after the reaction of the Baltic countries to the military aggression of the Russian Federation in Ukraine.