Who has the right to vote in Lithuanian elections?
It depends on the election — anyone who has reached 18 can vote in Lithuania, but where you vote is set by citizenship, and the myth "only Lithuanian citizens vote" is wrong. In Seimas, presidential, European Parliament elections and referendums, only Lithuanian citizens vote, while in municipal council elections all permanent residents of the municipality aged 18 can vote — whether Lithuanian, EU or other citizens, as long as they have a declared place of residence. Most importantly, and often overlooked: people declared legally incapable by a court do not take part in elections. Since 2022 all election rules have been merged into a single Electoral Code, and elections are run by the Central Electoral Commission (VRK). To be elected you must be older: a municipal councillor from 20, a Seimas member from 25, and President from 40. A candidate cannot be someone still serving a sentence 65 days before the election.
📋 The rules
- You can vote from 18 (reached by election day)
- In Seimas, presidential, EP elections and referendums, only Lithuanian citizens vote
- In municipal council elections, all permanent residents vote, including non-citizens
- People declared legally incapable by a court do not take part in elections
- Eligible to stand: municipal council from 20, Seimas from 25, President from 40
🔓 Exceptions
- EU citizens living in Lithuania can vote in municipal council and European Parliament elections
- Non-EU citizens permanently resident in a municipality vote only in local (municipal council) elections
- A person cannot be elected to a municipal council if still serving a sentence 65 days before the vote, or if declared legally incapable
⚠️ Penalties & fines
What matters here is not a fine but the limits on the right to vote and liability for violations. A court finding of legal incapacity removes the chance to take part in elections, so lifting incapacity or questions of partial capacity can directly affect a person's right to vote. Often overlooked: voting rights are tied to a declared place of residence — without declaring it in a municipality, a person is not entered on that municipality's voter lists and cannot vote even if entitled. Rigging elections, voting several times, buying votes or using someone else's vote are serious violations carrying administrative and criminal liability. Candidates face extra limits: with a sentence not yet served or a court finding of incapacity, a person cannot be elected. Losing Lithuanian citizenship (for example, by acquiring another country's citizenship without an exception) also removes the right to vote in national elections and referendums.
📎 Official sources
- Central Electoral Commission · information for voters →
- e-seimas · Electoral Code of the Republic of Lithuania →
- e-tar · Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania (voting rights) →
❓ Frequently asked
At what age can you vote in Lithuania?
People who have reached 18 by election day can vote. This age is the same for all elections, but the right to stand as a candidate begins later — depending on the election, from 20, 25 or 40.
Can a non-citizen vote in Lithuania?
Yes, but only in municipal council elections — there, all permanent residents of the municipality with a declared place of residence can vote, regardless of citizenship. In Seimas, presidential elections and referendums, only Lithuanian citizens vote.
Who cannot vote in elections?
People whom a court has declared legally incapable do not take part in elections, and a person also cannot vote if not entered on the voter lists because of an undeclared place of residence. Otherwise, the right to vote is guaranteed to citizens or permanent residents who have reached 18.
From what age can you run for the Seimas or a municipality?
A municipal councillor can be elected from age 20, a Seimas member from 25, and the President from 40. A candidate cannot be someone still serving a sentence 65 days before the election or declared legally incapable.
Who organises elections in Lithuania?
Elections and referendums are organised by the Central Electoral Commission (VRK), and since 2022 all the rules have been merged into a single Electoral Code. It sets out who has the right to vote, how voter lists are drawn up and the voting procedure.
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