35. In this respect, UNHCR notes that refugees and stateless persons are equally required to meet the regular 10 years residence requirement in Lithuania. This is a significant period of time for stateless persons if compared to other EU countries. For example, in Latvia, Italy and Slovenia this is 5 years, in Sweden it is 4 years, whereas in Norway, the Netherlands, Greece, Slovak Republic, Bulgaria and Hungary stateless persons can apply for naturalization after 3 years of residence or registered domicile. 36. UNHCR, therefore, recommends considering the inclusion of new provisions in the Law on Citizenship, which would ease the conditions for naturalization of refugees and stateless persons, e.g. by reducing the period of residence required. UNHCR recommendation: UNHCR recommends: • To reduce the period of residence required pursuant to Article 18 (1) of the Law on Citizenship with respect to refugees and stateless persons. UNHCR Representation for Northern Europe, May 2020 8