Lithuanian Conservatives Propose Property Restrictions

Opposition seeks tighter rules on property purchases

Lithuania’s opposition party, the Homeland Union–Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD), has proposed amendments aimed at tightening property purchase rules for Russian and Belarusian citizens holding temporary residence permits.

According to lawmaker Mindaugas Lingė, fifteen members of the parliamentary group registered the amendments, arguing that stricter regulation of real estate transactions is necessary.

Under the proposal, Russian and Belarusian citizens with temporary residence permits would be barred from purchasing real estate in Lithuania. The ban would not apply to permanent residence permit holders or to individuals who inherited property.

Restrictions near critical infrastructure

Even Russian and Belarusian citizens permanently residing in Lithuania would face restrictions on purchasing property near sites considered critical to national security or military training areas.

Lingė stated that unrestricted property acquisitions could facilitate espionage-related risks, movement monitoring or logistical coordination, including the use of property for storage.

The draft amendments предусматривают an exemption clause allowing authorities to approve specific transactions if they determine there is no threat to national security.

Current legal framework and past attempts

At present, Russian citizens without residence permits are prohibited from purchasing real estate in Lithuania, while those holding temporary or permanent residence permits are exempt. No comparable restrictions currently apply to Belarusian citizens.

Similar amendments were introduced last year but failed to pass their first parliamentary reading after receiving no support from members of the ruling coalition, including the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party and Nemunas Dawn.

Lingė noted that although the ruling parties had promised to prepare their own legislative changes, no substantial amendments have been adopted over the past year.

Regional context and sanctions policy

The conservatives referenced regulatory changes in neighbouring countries. Finland and Latvia have already tightened their property purchase rules for Russian citizens, while Estonia is considering similar measures.

In early January, Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry proposed extending existing national sanctions on Russian and Belarusian citizens through 2028 without introducing new restrictions. Current regulations already bar Russians without residence permits from buying property.

Transaction data and residence permits

As of February 1, 2026, Lithuania had issued temporary residence permits to 45,877 Belarusian citizens and 5,069 Russian citizens, according to the Migration Department.

Data from the Centre of Registers show that between 2022 and 2024, Russian citizens purchased 2,814 properties in Lithuania, including 1,845 located within 10 kilometres of critical infrastructure sites. Of these, 364 were acquired by temporary residence permit holders.

Belarusian citizens purchased 1,834 properties during the same period, including 1,152 within 10 kilometres of critical infrastructure. In 556 cases, buyers held temporary residence permits.

As International Investment experts report, the proposal reflects a broader tightening of sector-specific controls in Baltic real estate markets amid the ongoing regional conflict. However, the bill’s future will depend on how policymakers balance national security concerns with investment stability and legal predictability for foreign residents.