Lithuania moves to clarify rules for displaying EU, NATO, and foreign flags

The Lithuanian government has approved a proposal to expand and clarify the conditions under which European Union, NATO, and foreign national flags may be displayed alongside the Lithuanian state flag, LRT reports.

Under the Interior Ministry’s draft legislation, EU and NATO flags would be permitted for permanent display—alongside Lithuania’s national flag—above or on government and municipal buildings, as well as in other cases defined by law. The rules would also allow foreign flags, such as Ukraine’s, to be flown in additional circumstances set by the government, provided they align with Lithuania’s foreign policy and national security interests.

Officials noted that current regulations lack clear guidelines for the routine use of EU, NATO, and foreign flags, despite their widespread practice. Existing law restricts such displays to official visits, commemorative days, international events, or other government-approved occasions following diplomatic protocol. However, many institutions already fly EU and NATO flags continuously, while Ukraine’s flag has been displayed since Russia’s full-scale invasion as a gesture of solidarity.

The amendments, set to take effect on January 1, 2025, aim to formalise these practices and eliminate legal ambiguity.

The cabinet also endorsed a separate proposal to expand the list of paid positions within the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union (LŠS), a volunteer defence organisation. The Defence Ministry’s plan would add 30 new roles—bringing the total to 176—to support the group’s growing membership and operational demands. Since 2022, adult membership in the union has surged by 133%, reaching 11,700 by late 2025, with total membership, including youth divisions, exceeding 17,000.

Additionally, ministers backed the ratification of an international convention establishing a claims commission to assess compensation for damages caused by Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. The convention, signed in The Hague last December, creates a body to rule on reparations for losses stemming from Russia’s internationally unlawful actions. The government will now submit the treaty to President Gitanas Nausėda for parliamentary approval.