Lithuania to Terminate Residence Permits for Frequent Russian Travelers to Their Native Land
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Starting from May 3, some new rules have been put in place in Lithuania for Russian residents, which means that those traveling to Russia or Belarus more than once in a three-month span risk losing their residence permits. Get ready to find out more!
According to "European Truth" and LRT as our sources, these restrictions have exceptions for vehicle carriers and truck drivers passing through these countries or if the trip had objective reasons independent of the individual.
As of April 1, over 14,000 Russian citizens held valid residence permits in Lithuania.
The September 2023-adopted law "On the Imposition of Restrictive Measures in Connection with Military Aggression against Ukraine" halts the processing of Schengen and national visa applications for Russian and Belarusian citizens, except when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is involved.
Applications for temporary stays in Lithuania from Russians are not accepted either, unless they have a valid Schengen or national visa, a residence permit in Lithuania or another EU country.
Russians and Belarusians arriving from countries other than an EU border are screened for potential threats to national security.
They are also barred from importing or exporting Ukrainian hryvnias and importing agricultural products and feed from Russian or Belarusian sources.
Russians without Lithuanian residence permits are prohibited from purchasing real estate in the country. This restriction might be extended to those with Lithuanian residence permits in the future, as there are suggestions to limit property purchases near strategic facilities.
Currently, this legislation was first put in place in 2023 and is valid until May 2026. Lately, the Lithuanian parliament has proposed laws that would prohibit Russian citizens from acquiring property near military and strategic facilities.
Going a step further, the government has banned Lithuanian citizens who possess Russian, Belarusian, or Chinese passports, as well as non-Lithuanian citizens, from attending the General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy.
In summary, Lithuania has set strict guidelines for Russian citizens purchasing real estate:
- Russian citizens without Lithuanian residence permits are forbidden from purchasing property in the country.
- Proposals to restrict property purchases near strategic facilities are being considered.
- Residents risk losing their permits if they frequent Russia or Belarus too much, which may indirectly impact property rights, but primarily addresses residency status rather than property ownership.
These measures serve to minimize security risks and maintain diplomatic pressure on Russia and Belarus.
[1] LRT. (n.d.). New restrictions for Russian citizens in Lithuania. Retrieved from https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/17/1663721/new-restrictions-for-russian-citizens-in-lithuania
[2] European Truth. (n.d.). Lithuania to bar Russian citizens from buying property around military facilities. Retrieved from https://europeantruth.eu/2023/04/26/lithuania-to-ban-russian-citizens-from-buying-property-around-military-facilities/
[3] Migration Department. (n.d.). Residence permit for Russians in Lithuania. Retrieved from https://migracija.liko.lt/en/rules/residence-permit/residence-permit-for-russians/
[4] Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (n.d.). Visa information for citizens of Belarus and Russia. Retrieved from https://www.urm.lt/en/consular-affairs/visas/visa-information/visa-information-for-citizens-of-belarus-and-russia
[5] Seimas.lt. (n.d.). Law on the imposition of restrictive measures in connection with military aggression against Ukraine. Retrieved from https://www.lrs.lt/portal/pls/inter/w3siapl.a3p_ag_web_lp?p_con_id=159715&p_op=R&p_mode=o&p_lvl=211000&p_lv2=10029001000100&p_lv3=10029001000101&p_lv4=1002900100010101&p_lang=EN
- Despite exceptions for vehicle carriers and truck drivers, the new rules in Lithuania prohibit Russian residents from traveling to Russia or Belarus more than once in a three-month span, potentially risking the loss of their residence permits.
- The Lithuanian government is currently considering measures to limit property purchases near strategic facilities, which may affect both Russian citizens without Lithuanian residence permits and those with such permits.
- As a result of the September 2023-adopted law "On the Imposition of Restrictive Measures in Connection with Military Aggression against Ukraine," Schengen and national visa applications for Russian and Belarusian citizens have been halted, with exceptions when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is involved.
- Recent Lithuanian parliament proposals would further restrict Russian citizens from acquiring property near military and strategic facilities, building on existing measures intended to minimize security risks and maintain diplomatic pressure.
- The general news and crime-and-justice sections have been abuzz with discussions on the new rules and proposed legislation, showcasing the significant role of politics in the understanding and interpretation of these events.
- War-and-conflicts and politics have played a crucial role in shaping the migration policy-and-legislation in Lithuania, leading to the imposition of stringent measures on Russian citizens living in the country, particularly in relation to property ownership and immigration.
