A Personal Identity Card can be used as primary evidence of Lithuanian citizenship, just like a passport and can be used as a valid proof of citizenship and proof of identity both inside and outside Lithuania Since 2009, Personal Identity Cards are equipped with contact chips, allowing their usage as digital signature devices with a smart card reader.

The Identity documents personalisation centre under the Lithuanian Ministry of the Interior provides digital signature software for Windows, Linux and Mac OS environments.

The first Lithuanian Personal Identity Cards were issued in January 2003.

The issuance of these card continued until January, 2009, when they were superseded with biometric and digital signature-capable second-generation personal identity cards.

In July 2012 issuance of slightly altered third-generation personal identity cards started.