Hungarian Citizenship

Foreign citizens who have never been Hungarian citizens may acquire Hungarian citizenship by naturalisation or by descent.

Each candidate’s situation differs significantly. We advise contacting us for a detailed assessment of your specific eligibility and requirements.

There are two main routes:

Naturalisation

Naturalisation is for those who have already been residing in Hungary for a qualifying period of time.

Citizenship by Descent

Citizenship by Descent (Simplified Naturalisation) is for those who can prove Hungarian ancestry, without needing to live in Hungary.

Naturalisation,
Conditions for Submission

To apply for naturalisation, all of the following must be true:

  • You have no criminal record and are not under prosecution.
  • Your accommodation and subsistence are assured in Hungary.
  • Your naturalisation does not violate the public or national security of Hungary.
  • You have lived continuously in Hungary for a specified period and hold a permanent registered address for that period.
  • You have passed an examination in basic constitutional studies in the Hungarian language.

Standard naturalisation: Those not eligible for preferential naturalisation may apply after 8 consecutive years of residence in Hungary.

After 3 consecutive years of residence, preferential naturalisation may be available if you meet one of the following:

  • Your minor child is a Hungarian citizen.
  • You were adopted by a Hungarian citizen.
  • You have been in a valid marriage with a Hungarian citizen for at least 3 years, or that marriage was terminated by the spouse’s death.
  • You were recognised as a refugee by a Hungarian authority.
  • You are stateless.

After 5 consecutive years of residence, preferential naturalisation may be available if:

  • You were born in Hungary, or
  • You established residence in Hungary before reaching legal age (18).

Acquiring Hungarian
Citizenship by Descent

What is this? The simplified naturalisation procedure allows non-Hungarian citizens to acquire Hungarian citizenship based on Hungarian ancestry, without the requirement to live in Hungary for an extended period, and without needing to prove employment or financial means in Hungary.

How we can help: We assist with citizenship consultations, full applications, and the acquisition of Hungarian citizenship by descent. We can also obtain Hungarian documentation on your behalf, birth certificates, marriage certificates, and police clearances (letters of good conduct).

A non-Hungarian citizen may apply if:

  • Their ancestor was a Hungarian citizen, or they can demonstrate Hungarian origin; and
  • They can prove knowledge of the Hungarian language; and
  • They have no criminal record under Hungarian law and no criminal proceedings are pending against them; and
  • Their naturalisation does not violate the public security or national security of Hungary.

The citizenship application must be submitted on an official form including:

  • Surname and forename of birth, married surname, previous married surnames, place and date of birth, mother’s birth name, gender
  • Marital status data; details of current and previous marriages; spouse/former spouse name, date and place of birth, citizenship, data on Hungarian origin
  • Names, birth data, citizenship, and Hungarian residence details of the spouse’s parents
  • Ancestor’s name, place and date of birth, marriage data, citizenship and residence data
  • Names and birth details of children and siblings
  • Place of residence and former residence in Hungary
  • Citizenship data and departure record
  • Education, occupation, and employment details
  • Contact details for citizenship authority correspondence
  • Handwritten résumé

Along with the application, the applicant must enclose a birth certificate and documents proving marital status. Foreign-language documents must be accompanied by an authentic Hungarian translation.

Documents proving Hungarian descent may include:

  • Birth, marriage, or death certificates of ancestors
  • Old Hungarian documents such as: contemporary soldier’s record book, school certificates, employment record books, passports, address notifications, change of name documents, dismissal documents, parish or pastoral certificates

The lineage must be traceable back to an ancestor who can be presumed to have been a Hungarian citizen.

The applicant must understand and speak Hungarian at a basic communicative level. Language ability is assessed by the receiving officer at the time of application. All applicants aged 14 or over must prove their language knowledge. This requirement may be waived for incapacitated persons.

The applicant must declare they have no criminal record and no pending criminal proceedings, and must disclose any intentional crime conviction in the last 5 years. Applicants living abroad must submit a police clearance report from the competent authority of their country of residence.

Hungarians across the border may, alongside their naturalisation, request to bear their own or their ancestor’s former Hungarian birth surname, or to bear the Hungarian equivalent of their forename. This must be supported by relevant documentation, such as a Hungarian birth certificate.

Applications may be submitted:

  • Abroad: at Hungarian embassies, with the Hungarian Consular Officer
  • In Hungary: at capital or county district offices

Applications must be submitted in person. Language knowledge is checked at the time of submission.

The President of the Republic makes the decision on the basis of the Minister’s proposal. The official processing time is 3 months, but decisions are typically made 6–8 months after submission. Proceedings may be delayed if the applicant is asked to provide additional documentation.

Hungarian citizenship is acquired on the day of taking the oath. The oath is taken:

  • Before the Head of the Hungarian Delegation (if abroad), or
  • Before the competent mayor according to the applicant’s place of residence (if in Hungary)

The oath must be made in Hungarian. An identity card is issued on the day of the oath. A Hungarian passport is obtained separately, through a subsequent application process.

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