The Hungarian citizenship procedure: What you need to know

Hungarian citizenship is a possibility.

Along with checking the regulations in your country of origin and meeting some conditions that make you eligible for citizenship, there are a few things you need to get sorted out before starting the Hungarian citizenship procedure. In this post, we will be giving you a brief guide as to what can be expected.

Hungarian citizenship and dual citizenship

Dual citizenship or multiple citizenships is an option, but it isn’t legal in all countries across the world. Some countries allow their citizens to be citizens of other countries as well but may do not. Perhaps you might not want to risk losing citizenship in the country you were born and raised in, so it is imperative that you inquire about your country of origin’s regulations. Hungary does recognise multiple citizenships, so this is an option you can apply for if your home country permits it.

Who is eligible to apply for the Hungarian citizenship?

In general, the Hungarian citizenship procedure is quite a lengthy one. Individuals that wish to apply for citizenship should have lived in Hungary for a total of 11 years before they become eligible for this option. Along with the required time that you should have spent in Hungary, you will also need to meet some other conditions. For one, you must have a confident command of the Hungarian language. On top of that, you need to know the basics of Hungarian history, literature, and of course, the country’s legal system. In order to prove your knowledge of these subjects, you will have to take a written and oral exam.

What other routes are there to Hungarian citizenship?

The Hungarian Citizenship Act determines quite a few ways in which third-country nationals can obtain Hungarian citizenship. One of them involves some sort of family ties in Hungary, in which case you will apply for neutralisation.

If you believe that you have Hungarian ancestry, you might have an easier route to starting the citizenship process. The same applies to individuals that have Hungarian spouses, children that are Hungarian, and those that were born in Hungary but did not obtain citizenship before they relocated to another part of the world.

We have a detailed explanation on ancestral visas and who is eligible to apply for them. To learn more, take a look at this article. Individuals that are yet to tie the knot and need a little help understanding the process of getting married in Hungary might find this article useful.

There are also a range of other options, like investing in real estate, which can grant you permanent residency in Hungary should you not wish to obtain citizenship.

What is the easiest way to start the Hungarian citizenship procedure?

You can find out more about the procedure of applying for citizenship in Hungary or using neutralisation as your option for becoming a Hungarian citizen by reaching out to our team of professional immigration lawyers at Hngary.com.