Petition for mandatory Lithuanian language requirement for foreigners gathers 22,500 signatures

A petition initiated by Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas, calling for mandatory Lithuanian language proficiency for long-term foreign residents, has collected over 22,500 signatures, the Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats announced Monday.

Benkunskas proposes that non-EU citizens seeking to reside in Lithuania for more than three years should demonstrate at least an A2-level proficiency in Lithuanian. The month-long signature drive follows his argument that while foreign nationals living in Vilnius and Lithuania long-term is inevitable, they must take responsibility for learning the basics of the state language.

“This is a principle any reasonable person would understand, and most Vilnius residents support it,” Benkunskas said. He criticised the interior minister for dismissing his proposal, adding that he would now send a formal letter—backed by tens of thousands of signatories—requesting a meeting. “The minister claimed he would welcome me at the ministry, so I hope he keeps his word.”

The Vilnius municipality has already begun implementing integration measures, offering foreigners flexible language-learning options, from self-study and informal classes to academic courses.

Interior Minister Vladislavas Kondratovičius stated in May that his ministry was preparing legal amendments to encourage foreign residents to learn Lithuanian. Current regulations, introduced last November, require a basic A1-level proficiency for foreigners working in customer-facing roles, with a two-year grace period before an A2 requirement takes effect. Migration Department data shows over 218,000 foreign nationals held residency permits in Lithuania as of May.