Claim Your European Heritage: Lithuanian Citizenship Restoration for South Africans

Lithuanian Citizenship for South Africans

If you have Lithuanian ancestors, you may be eligible to reclaim your Lithuanian citizenship and gain all the benefits of an EU passport. Hugh Raichlin Attorneys is a specialist law firm with proven experience in guiding South Africans through the complex process of acquiring European citizenship by descent.

If your family originated from Lithuania, you may be eligible to reclaim your Lithuanian — and therefore European Union (EU) — citizenship. Hugh Raichlin Attorneys helps South Africans of Lithuanian descent navigate the legal process to restore their citizenship, reconnecting families with their European heritage and global opportunity.

Check Your Eligibility
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Our Location​

Norwood, Johannesburg

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011 483 1527

A Life-Changing Opportunity

The Benefits of Lithuanian & EU Citizenship

Gaining an EU passport is a life-changing event that opens doors to international mobility, education, and business opportunities for you and your future generations. However, the application process is document-intensive, bureaucratic, and complex. A single error or missing document can lead to years of delay or outright rejection.

Restoring Lithuanian citizenship is more than a legal process — it’s about reclaiming heritage, honouring ancestors, and unlocking new opportunities for you and your family.

Key Benefits:

Visa-free travel and work rights across the European Union (EU).
Access to European healthcare and education.
Inheritance of EU citizenship by your children.
Reconnection with your Lithuanian-Jewish heritage.
Secure dual nationality (South Africa + Lithuania permitted).
Ancestry • History • Legal Proof

Who Qualifies for Citizenship Restoration

You may qualify for Lithuanian citizenship by descent if you can prove that your parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent was a Lithuanian citizen prior to June 15, 1940 (before Soviet occupation), and that they left Lithuania without renouncing citizenship.

Eligibility Includes:

  1. Lithuanian ancestors who emigrated to South Africa, Israel, or elsewhere before/during WWII.
  2. Proof of descent through birth, marriage, or immigration documents.
  3. Families of Holocaust survivors or Lithuanian-Jewish ancestry.

We Assist With:

  1. Eligibility assessments and document verification.
  2. Locating Lithuanian archival records.
  3. Certified translations and legalisations.
  4. Liaising with Lithuanian authorities and embassies.
  5. Schedule a Free Eligibility Review →
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30+ Years • Accredited Expertise • Proven Results

Why Families Trust Hugh Raichlin Attorneys

With deep roots in Johannesburg’s Lithuanian-Jewish community and over 30 years of legal expertise, Hugh Raichlin Attorneys combines heritage understanding with precise legal execution.

  • Cultural Understanding: Deep connection to Lithuanian-Jewish heritage.
  • Global Collaboration: Network with Lithuanian legal and archival specialists.
  • Accuracy & Integrity: 100% compliant with Lithuanian legal standards.
  • Accredited Mediation Expertise: Helping families align and preserve legacy.
Expert Guidance Every Step of the Way

Step-by-Step Lithuanian Citizenship Restoration

Typical timeframe: 8–18 months depending on archival access and government processing.

  1. Initial Assessment & Eligibility Check: We start with a detailed consultation to review your family history and assess the strength of your claim.
  2. Archival Research & Document Procurement: This is our key service. We manage the critical and often difficult task of searching Lithuanian state archives to find the official documents required to prove your lineage.
  3. Application Compilation: We meticulously prepare, translate, and have all documents apostilled for submission.
  4. Submission & Liaison: We submit your complete application to the Lithuanian authorities and manage all communication and follow-ups on your behalf.
  5. Eligibility Assessment – Review ancestry and documentation.
  6. Document Collection – Gather birth, marriage, and emigration records.
  7. Archival Research – Retrieve Lithuanian citizenship records and proof of residence.
  8. Application Submission – Prepare, translate, and lodge documents with the Lithuanian Migration Department.
  9. Approval & Citizenship Grant – Obtain Lithuanian citizenship and apply for EU passport.
  10. Explore Legalisation & Translation Services →
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Verification • Translation • Compliance

What You’ll Need for Your Citizenship Application

We assist with document collection, authentication, and official translations to meet Lithuanian and EU legal standards.

Documents Often Required:

  1. Lithuanian ancestor’s birth certificate or internal passport.
  2. Proof of emigration (ship manifest, visa, or naturalisation records).
  3. Your birth and marriage certificates.
  4. Certified translations and notarisation.
  5. South African and Lithuanian apostilles for international recognition.
  6. Learn About Our Document Services →
Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Mistakes That Delay Lithuanian Citizenship Applications

  1. Incomplete Family Documentation – Missing ancestor or marriage records.
  2. Unverified Ancestry – Lack of clear lineage proof from Lithuanian archives.
  3. Incorrect Translations or Apostilles – Must meet Lithuanian government standards.
  4. DIY Applications – Often rejected for procedural errors.
  5. Skipping Legal Review – The Lithuanian Migration Department expects professional compliance.
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Attorneys with specialist expertise

Our team brings accredited skills across property, family, commercial, labour, and mediation law.

Over 30 Years Of Experience​

Trusted by generations of clients since 1993.

500+ Family & Divorce Cases Resolved

Guiding families through sensitive matters with compassion and clarity.

Reported High Court & Supreme Court of Appeal Judgments

Our cases have shaped South African common law and set lasting precedents.

Guidance for Applicants

Lithuanian Citizenship FAQs

Heritage. Legacy. Opportunity.

Reclaim Your Lithuanian Citizenship with Trusted Legal Experts

Whether for family, travel, or opportunity, Hugh Raichlin Attorneys helps you reconnect with your heritage and secure Lithuanian and EU citizenship through a trusted, proven process.

Start Your Citizenship Application
Contact Us

Contact Us

Here\’s how you can contact us for any questions or concerns.

1 The Avenue, Norwood, Johannesburg 2192

011 483 1527

WhatsApp chat

reception@raichlin.co.za

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