Lithuania proposes allowing diplomats to serve until age 70

Lithuanian lawmakers have been asked to set 70 as the maximum age for diplomatic service, replacing the current 65-year limit, LRT reported. Social Democratic MP Birutė Vėsaitė registered amendments to the Law on the Diplomatic Service.

The law currently allows diplomats to have their service extended by up to five years beyond age 65. Vėsaitė’s proposal would establish a uniform 70-year limit, without requiring an individual decision to extend service after age 65.

Vėsaitė said the change would help retain professional and institutional experience in the diplomatic service and support a more consistent transition between generations. The proposed limit would also apply to diplomats already in service when the amendments take effect, including those whose service has been extended.

The amendments would not automatically extend fixed-term diplomatic service contracts or reinstate contracts that had already ended. They would not change the age at which people qualify for an old-age pension or the conditions for receiving one. Continuing in service until 70 would be optional.

The changes are proposed to take effect on January 1, 2027. Under current rules, the president may extend the service of diplomatic representatives on the foreign minister’s recommendation, while the foreign minister may extend the service of other diplomats by up to one year, subject to statutory conditions.

The parliament is also considering proposals on extending the careers of judges and civil servants. In March, it began examining a proposal to let civil servants over 65 continue working without mandatory annual extensions. In September, it began considering amendments to allow judges to serve until 70.