Senior citizens to receive dedicated law in Lithuania

Lithuania’s Seimas has adopted the Law on the Fundamentals of Older Persons’ Policy to improve conditions for senior citizens’ participation in society and address their needs more effectively, reports ELTA.

The new law, approved on Thursday with 80 votes in favor, one abstention, and no opposition, establishes a systematic framework for older persons, a group previously lacking comprehensive legal protection in Lithuania.

Linas Kukuraitis, Deputy Chairman of the Seimas Committee on Social Affairs and Labor, described the law as a significant step, noting that older persons—despite their growing share of the population—had been the only major group without a dedicated law ensuring coordinated state efforts to improve their quality of life, access to services, and participation in society and the labor market.

The law applies to individuals aged 60 and above and outlines national policies for this demographic, including institutions representing their interests. It emphasizes the protection of their rights, non-discrimination based on age, and a dignity-based approach across all public policy areas.

Key objectives include fostering active and healthy aging, ensuring opportunities for personal, professional, economic, social, and cultural engagement, and guaranteeing accessible, high-quality care tailored to their needs.

The legislation mandates clear information, accessible products, and services adapted to older persons’ requirements, including both digital and alternative solutions. It also promotes measures to enhance their digital literacy and access to digital public services.

Additional provisions encourage the development of the silver economy, support employment opportunities for older persons, and incentivize employers to hire and retain them. The law also calls for adapting housing, public spaces, and transport infrastructure to ensure safety, convenience, and accessibility.

Cultural participation and lifelong learning opportunities for seniors are also addressed. The law defines the responsibilities of ministries, municipalities, and other state institutions in implementing older persons’ policies.

A Council on Older Persons’ Affairs will be established under the government as an advisory body to promote social inclusion, comprising representatives from ministries, state and municipal institutions, academia, and national older persons’ organizations. Similar councils will be formed at the municipal level.

The law will take effect next year, with the government-level council required to be formed by February 1, 2027, and municipal councils by August 1, 2027.

The draft law was prepared by a working group under the outgoing Seimas Board, led by former MP Silva Lengvinienė.