A guide to becoming a Hungarian citizen

Governed by Act LV of 1993 on Hungarian Citizenship (Hungarian Citizenship Law), the process follows the principle of jus sanguinis (right of blood), prioritizing descent from Hungarian citizens, though other pathways exist. Hungary permits dual citizenship, meaning you don’t need to renounce your current nationality. This guide explores the three primary methods—naturalization, simplified naturalization, and verification of citizenship—detailing requirements, application processes, timelines, and practical tips.

Pathways to Hungarian Citizenship

A. Naturalization

Naturalization is designed for foreign nationals who have established long-term residency in Hungary, integrating into society through residence, work, or family ties.

• Eligibility Requirements:

  • Permanent residence in Hungary with a valid residence permit and registered address.

  • Residency periods vary:

    • 8 years for most applicants.

    • 5 years for spouses of Hungarian citizens, those born in Hungary, settled as minors, immigrants, stateless persons, or holders of a registration document.

    • 3 years for parents of minor Hungarian citizens, adult adoptees by Hungarian citizens, or refugees.

  • Secure livelihood (stable income and housing) and a clean criminal record under Hungarian law.

  • No threat to Hungary’s public safety or national security.

  • Pass a constitutional basics exam in Hungarian, with exemptions for:

    • Individuals over 65, disabled, or with severe health issues.

    • Graduates of Hungarian-language educational institutions.

    • Minors or those with limited capacity.

• Application Process:

  • Submit applications at:

    • Local registry offices (járási hivatal).

    • Immigration and Citizenship Office.

    • Government customer service offices (kormányablak).

    • Hungarian consulates abroad (Consular Services).

  • The Immigration and Citizenship Office reviews applications and prepares a decision proposal.

  • The President of Hungary finalizes the decision based on the Minister of Interior’s recommendation.

  • Successful applicants take an oath or pledge before the mayor at their place of residence.

  • Name change requests (e.g., adopting a Hungarian-sounding name) can be included.

• Special Cases:

  • Adopted minors by Hungarian citizens can naturalize without residency requirements.

  • Stateless persons born in Hungary to foreign parents, unrecognized by their parents’ country, can naturalize via declaration after 5 years of residence.

B. Simplified Naturalization

Simplified naturalization targets individuals with Hungarian ancestry or those married to Hungarian citizens, emphasizing cultural and familial ties.

• Eligibility Requirements:

  • The applicant or an ancestor was a Hungarian citizen, or they can prove Hungarian origin (e.g., via birth, marriage, or death certificates).

  • Alternatively:

    • Married to a Hungarian citizen for 10 years.

    • Married to a Hungarian citizen for 5 years with a common child.

  • Demonstrate Hungarian language proficiency at a communicative level, verified during the application process.

  • Clean criminal record under Hungarian law.

  • Naturalization must not compromise Hungary’s public safety or national security.

• Application Process:

  • Submit in person at a Hungarian embassy or consulate after booking an appointment (Berlin Embassy).

  • Required documents:

    • Application forms (available at Consular Forms).

    • Proof of ancestry (e.g., ancestor’s birth, marriage, or death certificates).

    • Proof of language proficiency (assessed during the interview).

    • Handwritten autobiography and optional name change request.

  • If a relative has already undergone simplified naturalization, their documents can simplify the process.

  • Non-Hungarian documents must be translated and authenticated.

• Key Considerations:

  • If citizenship was lost before May 2, 1990, verification of citizenship may be required instead.

  • Genealogical research is often necessary to trace lineage, especially for ancestors from former Hungarian territories.

C. Verification of Citizenship

Verification is for individuals who believe they are Hungarian citizens but lack documentation, often due to historical events like emigration or citizenship loss before 1990.

• Eligibility Requirements:

  • Applicant was a Hungarian citizen or has ancestors who were, with citizenship lost before May 2, 1990, documented by resignation or dismissal papers.

  • If no loss documents exist, provide evidence of Hungarian ancestry via birth, marriage, or death certificates.

  • For adults without valid ID, submit:

    • Birth certificate (original, translated if needed).

    • Marriage certificate, divorce decree, or spouse’s death certificate (if applicable).

    • Expired Hungarian passport (if available).

    • Parents’ and grandparents’ birth, death, and marriage certificates.

• Application Process:

  • Submit in person at a Hungarian embassy or consulate with a prior appointment (Berlin Embassy Verification).

  • Required documents:

    • Citizenship verification form.

    • Birth and marriage registration forms (for domestic registration).

    • Supporting documents as listed above.

  • The Budapest Főváros Kormányhivatala (BFKH) handles processing, with the President making the final decision (BFKH Contact).

• Historical Context:

  • Relevant for those affected by post-1956 emigration or territorial changes after 1920.

  • Pre-1957 rules may affect women married to foreigners or children born to Hungarian mothers and foreign fathers.

Where to Apply

• Abroad: Contact the nearest Hungarian consulate (e.g., New York Consulate).

• In Hungary: Local government offices or kormányablak are primary points (Government Offices).

Timelines

• Factors Affecting Timelines:

  • Completeness of documentation.

  • Need for genealogical research.

  • Consulate processing times.

Practical Considerations

• Language Requirements:

  • Simplified naturalization requires communicative Hungarian proficiency, assessed during interviews.

  • Naturalization involves a constitutional exam in Hungarian, with exemptions for specific groups.

• Document Preparation:

  • Non-Hungarian documents must be translated into Hungarian and authenticated.

  • Originals or certified copies are required.

  • For ancestry-based applications, tracing lineage may involve:

    • Birth, marriage, or death certificates.

    • Church records (if official records are unavailable pre-1895).

• Dual Citizenship:

  • Hungary allows dual citizenship, so no renunciation of other nationalities is required (U.S. Embassy Hungary).

• Benefits:

  • EU citizenship with work and residency rights across the EU.

  • Access to Hungarian healthcare and education.

  • Visa-free travel to over 170 countries (Immigrant Invest).

• Common Pitfalls:

  • Incomplete or incorrect documentation.

  • Insufficient language proficiency for simplified naturalization.

  • Misunderstanding eligibility (e.g., naturalization vs. verification).

  • Failure to book appointments or submit in person.

Practical Tips

• Consult Official Sources:

  • Budapest Főváros Kormányhivatala (BFKH Info).

  • Hungarian consulates for forms and appointments (Consular Forms).

  • Government human rights page (Human Rights).

• Professional Assistance:

  • Services like Helpers Hungary offer genealogy research, document preparation, and application support (Helpers Hungary).

• Language Support:

  • Forms must be in Hungarian, but consulates often assist in English or other languages.

  • Consider language courses or translators for proficiency requirements.

• Genealogical Research:

  • For ancestry-based applications, verify lineage through official records or professional services.

  • If a relative has already naturalized, their documents can streamline the process.

Conclusion

Acquiring Hungarian citizenship is a rewarding but complex process, with pathways tailored to residency, ancestry, or existing citizenship status. Naturalization suits long-term residents, simplified naturalization benefits those with Hungarian heritage or family ties, and verification addresses historical citizenship issues. Each method requires careful preparation, from gathering documents to meeting language or residency criteria. By consulting official sources and considering professional assistance, applicants can navigate the process effectively, unlocking the benefits of Hungarian and EU citizenship.