5 ways to obtain Hungarian citizenship

Hungary citizenship law

Hungary provides several pathways to citizenship, each tailored to specific criteria and circumstances. Individuals can choose the most suitable option based on factors like ancestral ties, familial connections, investment prospects, or duration of residency.

The basic rules for obtaining Hungarian citizenship are established in Act LV of 1993 on Hungarian Citizenship. 

Outlined below are the primary routes available for individuals seeking Hungarian citizenship:

1. Descent: available for children born within Hungary or to Hungarian parents.
2. Naturalisation: requires a period of legal residency in Hungary.
3. Repatriation: designed for individuals with Hungarian ancestry.
4. Marriage: applicable to foreign nationals wedded to Hungarian citizens.
5. Family reunification: open to relatives of Hungarian citizens.

Hungarian citizenship by investment is not available, but foreigners can participate in Hungary’s Golden Visa program. 

In 2023, the Hungarian government introduced legislation enabling investors to obtain a residence permit in Hungary by investment of at least €250,000. Participants in the investment program can acquire residential property, invest in local real estate funds, or make donations to higher education institutions. Subsequently, they may become eligible for citizenship by naturalisation after 11 years of residency.

The Hungary passport validity periods are:

• 10 years for passports issued to citizens over 18;
• 5 years for passports for children aged 6 to 18, 
• 3 years — for children under 6.

When a passport expires, one must apply to renew it at the local authorities responsible for issuing passports or at Hungarian diplomatic missions abroad. The application process lasts about 8 weeks. Upon its completion, a new passport is issued.

7 benefits of being a citizen of Hungary

1. EU passport benefits. Hungarian citizens can live and work in Hungary and any EU country without additional permits or visas.

2. Access to social services. Citizens have access to various social services the Hungarian government provides, including healthcare, education, and social welfare programs. Citizens obtain a European Health Insurance Card, EHIC, and seek medical treatment in 27 EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and the UK.

3. Influence local politics. Citizens have the right to vote and serve in public office in Hungary, allowing them to participate fully in the country’s political processes.

4. Consular protection. Hungarian citizens can seek assistance from Hungarian embassies and consulates abroad if they encounter legal or other difficulties while travelling or residing in different countries.

5. Travel benefits. Hungarian citizens can travel freely within the EU and enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 171 nations, encompassing many destinations such as the US, the UK, Japan, Singapore, and others.

6. Economic opportunities. Citizenship can provide access to economic opportunities in Hungary, including opening accounts, taking out loans and mortgages, and investing in securities with the help of European banks.

7. Family reunification. Hungarian citizens can sponsor family members for immigration to Hungary and facilitate family reunification.

Hungary citizenship by investment: how to get a passport after Hungary Golden Visa

Starting in 2024, a new residence permit by investment program called the Golden Visa will begin to operate in Hungary. Three investment options are offered under the Golden Visa program:

1. Purchase of investment fund units in the amount of €250,000+. The certificates must be approved by the Central Bank of Hungary, Magyar Nemzeti Bank, and issued by the Hungarian Real Estate Fund.
2. Purchase of residential real estate for €500,000+. An investor buys new and finished or secondary property. Commercial real estate ownership does not give the right to obtain a residence permit by investment.
3. A financial donation of €1,000,000+ to a higher education institution that is a member of the Foundation for Asset Management in the Public Interest.

A residence permit by investment is issued for 10 years, after which it can be extended for the same period. Investors can apply for permanent residency after 3 years with a residence permit. And after another 8 years, for citizenship by naturalisation.

Hungarian citizenship by naturalisation

Citizenship applicants must have lived in Hungary for 3 years with a temporary residence permit and 8 years with permanent residency. They also can spend up to 45 days a year outside the country.

Other requirements for applicants for citizenship by naturalisation:

• knowledge of the Hungarian language;
• absence of criminal records and other convictions;
• compliance with all public and national security requirements of Hungary;
• passed the citizenship test;
• a stable source of income;
• a permanent address in Hungary.

Only foreigners with a permanent residence card can obtain a permanent registration address in Hungary. To become a permanent resident of Hungary, you must live in the country for at least 3 years.

When a foreigner receives a permanent residence card and registers in this status at his place of living, the countdown for naturalisation begins for them. To qualify for citizenship, you must live in permanent residence status for another 8 years. Coupled with temporary and permanent residence permits, you must live in Hungary for over 11 years. However, certain categories of foreigners are eligible for a simplified naturalisation procedure.

According to Eurostat’s Migration and Migrant Population Statistics, as of January 1st, 2023, there were 123,300 third-country nationals, representing 1.3% of the population, and another 78,900 EU citizens, representing 0.8%, living in Hungary.

Hungarian citizenship by descent

Children of Hungarian citizens become Hungarian citizens by descent as of their birth. 

Hungarian citizenship by birth can be obtained by a child if:

• least one of the parents is a Hungarian citizen, regardless of the child’s place of birth;
• under 18 and adopted by Hungarian citizens;
• under 18 and found on Hungarian territory whose parents have not been identified.

In cases where it is necessary to confirm citizenship by birth, parents must submit an application on behalf of the child and obtain a certificate of citizenship using a simplified procedure, as well as submit the following documents:

• application for citizenship form, which is called Honosítási, Visszahonosítási kérelem in Hungarian;
• application for registration of the birth of a child form — Születés hazai anyakönyvezéséhez;
• birth certificate translated into Hungarian and certified by a notary;
• parents’ marriage certificate;
• copy of the passport of one of the parents if they are not a Hungarian citizen.

Hungarian passport by marriage

Foreigners apply for Hungarian citizenship if they have lived in an officially registered marriage with a country citizen for at least 3 years.

Applicants must meet the general requirements: 

• have resided in Hungary with their Hungarian spouse for 3 years;
• have no criminal record and tax debts;
• speak basic Hungarian.

If the marriage was registered outside of Hungary, the applicant provides a certificate confirming the registration of the marriage within the country — Adatlap házasság hazai anyakönyvezéséhez.

If a spouse of a Hungarian citizen lives abroad, they can also obtain Hungarian citizenship, but after 10 years from the marriage date. If a couple has children, the period before filing documents is reduced to 5 years from the marriage date. A spouse also demonstrates knowledge of the Hungarian language.

Hungary citizenship through ancestry

To qualify under this option, applicants must demonstrate ancestry ties to individuals born or residing in Southern Slovakia, Transylvania territories, the modern Transcarpathian region of Ukraine, or Vojvodina before 1920 or between 1938 and 1945.

It is necessary to provide documents confirming Hungarian origin. It can be:

• the applicant’s birth certificate;
• birth certificates of the applicant’s parents and all ancestors through whom the applicant obtains Hungarian citizenship;
• marriage certificate of the applicant’s parents and their ancestors.

Although the requirements may be less stringent than for naturalisation, knowledge of the Hungarian language and culture is still important for successfully obtaining citizenship by repatriation.

The process of obtaining citizenship involves applying to the relevant Hungarian government authorities, accompanied by the necessary documents:

• personal statement;
• international passport;
• the applicant’s birth certificate;
• certificate of marriage, divorce, birth of children;
• birth, death, and marriage certificates of parents and their ancestors;
• two photographs 3.5 × 4.5 cm;
• certificate of basic knowledge of the Hungarian language for all applicants over 14.

Hungary citizenship by family reunification

Hungarian citizenship through family reunification is extended to foreign relatives of Hungarian citizens. After obtaining a residence permit, they can apply for citizenship following five years of residency in Hungary. This right also applies to relatives of individuals recognised as refugees by Hungary.

To qualify, applicants must bring documents verifying family connections established before they arrived in Hungary. These may include birth, adoption, and marriage certificates, demonstrating relationships with providing family members or dependents. Additionally, a certificate of insolvency for the applicant’s relatives and a bank statement or income certificate are required as evidence of financial support.

Although the Hungary Golden Visa program does not oblige investors to move to the country, those seeking Hungarian citizenship must live in Hungary on a permanent basis. 

To qualify for a passport, investors meet standard requirements for naturalisation, including maintaining a permanent residency status for 8 years and passing a citizenship test in Hungarian. They also need to have a permanent address in Hungary which can be registered at the real estate purchased under the Golden Visa program or any other owned or rented property.

Dual citizenship in Hungary

Hungary allows dual citizenship, so foreigners can acquire a Hungarian passport without renouncing their original citizenship. 

However, the rules regarding dual citizenship may vary depending on the laws of the applicant’s country. For example, China does not recognise dual citizenship. Chinese citizens who acquire foreign citizenship must renounce their first citizenship.

Hungary citizenship test

A citizenship examination is mandatory in the standard naturalisation process for Hungarian citizenship. This exam assesses your knowledge of Hungarian history, culture, and language. 

The required level of language proficiency assumes intermediate-level communication skills in Hungarian, which includes comprehension and verbal expression.

Children under 14 and citizens over 60 are exempt from the testing.

Key takeaways: how to obtain Hungary nationality

1. The Hungarian citizenship law, outlined in Act LV of 1993, provides specific routes for citizenship acquisition, such as descent, naturalisation, repatriation, marriage, and family reunification. 
2. There are special provisions for citizenship by investment through Hungary’s Golden Visa program.
3. Hungarian citizenship offers numerous advantages, including access to the EU, top-notch social services, and extensive travel privileges. 
4. For individuals pursuing citizenship by naturalisation, the process typically involves meeting residency requirements, passing a citizenship exam, and demonstrating proficiency in the Hungarian language. Alternatively, those eligible for citizenship by descent, marriage, or repatriation have distinct criteria to fulfil.
5. Hungary permits dual citizenship, allowing individuals to hold Hungarian citizenship with that of another country. However, the rules regarding dual citizenship may vary depending on the laws of the applicant’s country of origin.