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Lithuania to Revoke Residency for Russians Repeatedly Visiting Russia or Belarus

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Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko
Dariia Mykhailenko
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Lithuania to Revoke Residency for Russians Repeatedly Visiting Russia or Belarus
The Republic of Lithuania sign seen near the former border crossing between Poland and Lithuania, in Ogrodniki-Lazdijai, on July 15, 2023, in Lazdijai, Lithuania. (Source: Getty Images)

The Parliament of Lithuania approved a legislative amendment reinforcing national sanctions against citizens of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, introducing a new legal provision enabling the revocation of residence permits for Russian nationals who maintain repeated travel ties with their countries of origin on April 17.

The amendments are scheduled to enter into force on May 3, 2025, according to the official announcement published by the Lithuanian Parliament.

Under the revised legislation, any Russian citizen holding a Lithuanian residence permit will be subject to annulment of their residency status if they are found to have visited Russia or Belarus two or more times within a three-month period.

Although lawmakers discussed extending this restriction to Belarusian nationals, the proposal did not receive sufficient parliamentary backing. The measure was passed with broad support – 115 votes in favor, and one abstention.

The law introduces targeted exemptions designed to ensure proportionality and fairness in its application. Sanctions will not apply to individuals who traveled to Russia or Belarus due to objective and uncontrollable circumstances, such as medical emergencies or critical family needs.

In addition, the legislation explicitly excludes transport sector personnel engaged in cargo and passenger transit across the European Union, including those operating routes that transit through Lithuanian territory.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys emphasized that the security challenges which initially prompted the introduction of sanctions in 2023 remain active and relevant, necessitating a further tightening of regulatory measures.

In May 2023, Vilnius suspended the acceptance of temporary residence applications from Russian nationals, with limited exceptions for individuals holding valid Schengen visas, national visas, or residence permits issued by Lithuania or other EU member states.

Concurrently, a ban on real estate purchases by Russian citizens was introduced as part of efforts to prevent the consolidation of assets by individuals associated with regimes engaged in hostile actions.

Earlier, the Lithuanian government announced on its official website that it is enhancing security measures along the state border and implementing additional restrictions at border checkpoints in response to recent provocations by Belarus.

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