Hungarian citizenship: how to obtain it, what are the requirements for the applicant, how much will the procedure cost in 2024?

Hungarian citizenship is a link between a person and the country, enshrined in law, which is expressed in the mutual presence of certain rights and obligations. It is possible to obtain a Hungarian passport through naturalization (prior residence in the state with residence permit/permanent residence), by way of reinstatement, through marriage or by descent. Hungary is a member of the European Union, so citizens of the country are also considered EU citizens, have the right to move to any of the countries of the association with access to work, study, do business, service in banks and hospitals.

Most often foreigners claim Hungarian citizenship by naturalization, 8 years after moving and opening a temporary resident card. Those who are ethnically belonging to the people of the country can participate in a simplified repatriation procedure. The reinstatement program is suitable for those who were born in Hungary and/or previously held local citizenship.

In order to find the best way to obtain the rights of a Hungarian citizen, it is worth enlisting the help of specialized lawyers. Migration specialists will analyze your personal request and draw up an individual plan of action, taking into account your goals and the nuances of your file.

Hungarian legislation

The ways of obtaining a Hungarian passport are regulated by the law “Törvény a magyar állampolgárságról” of 1993. The legal act also specifies the requirements for the applicant on various grounds, the procedure for granting citizenship, the deadlines for considering the application, and the duties of state authorities. Additional nuances important for foreigners are found in the law “Törvény a harmadik országbeli állampolgárok beutazására és tartózkodására vonatkozó általános szabályokról”. From here you can get information on how to move to the country and obtain a residence permit/permanent residence.

Hungary's migration policy is quite strict when compared to other EU countries. The term of naturalization in the country is from 8 years from the moment of legal move in the usual order, and from 3-5 years - for special categories (for example, refugees and stateless persons). Obtaining a passport is possible after passing the Hungarian language test, which is very difficult to learn. Good point is that it`s possible not to renounce citizenship in one's home country when applying for this status in Hungary.

What advantages does Hungarian passport give?

The holder of a Hungarian passport receives the following:

• visa-free travel to more than 160 countries, including free entry to the United States, Canada, Australia, China and Japan;
• the right to reside in any of the EU countries with access to general civil rights;
• protection of the state on its territory and abroad, receiving social support and status benefits;
• the possibility to request family reunification and to issue European documents for relatives;
• the right to represent commercial interests in the Single European Market with simplified movement of goods and services;
• free employment in developed EU countries with an average salary of 3000-4000 EUR;
• opportunity to receive prestigious higher education at the state expense or under grant programs;
• preferential service in modern European clinics on the basis of a unified medical insurance.

The ways of obtaining Hungarian citizenship

Most immigrants can obtain a Hungarian passport after staying in the country with a temporary and/or permanent residence permit and fulfilling the accompanying conditions of naturalization. It is not possible to obtain privileges for large investments in the economy of the state. Purchase of investment certificates or real estate on the Hungarian territory gives the right to open a residence permit immediately for 10 years, but does not reduce the period of mandatory residence for citizenship. Less often foreigners get a passport by roots, if they can prove that their ancestors (at least one of them) were ethnic Hungarians.

The Hungarian legislation provides for citizenship by declaration procedure. It is available to those who previously held a local passport and lost it against their will. Citizenship is transferred by birthright if the child's mother or father has a Hungarian passport. The right of soil does not work in the country: children of foreigners receive the citizenship of their parents, but are entitled to accelerated naturalization. Another less common way to obtain a Hungarian passport is to marry a citizen of the country, which reduces the period of compulsory residence to 3 years.

Citizenship by roots

Accelerated obtainment of Hungarian passport is available to those who have or have had ethnic Hungarian ancestors. Proof of Hungarian ancestry must be documented, usually by the birth certificate of a suitable ancestor. The degree of kinship is not regulated by law, but, as the practice of migration lawyers shows, it usually refers to great-grandparents inclusive. It is possible to participate in repatriation if you have no criminal record and have a conversational knowledge of Hungarian, which is confirmed by passing an examination.

The application for citizenship by repatriation can be submitted at the place of residence in Hungary or abroad through a diplomatic mission. In this case, it is not necessary to move to the country and obtain a residence permit beforehand. The repatriation procedure is free of charge, but there are associated costs, e.g., translation and notarization of documents, accompanying migration specialists. The application is considered by the authorities within 3 months or up to six months if additional documents or information is required.

Specifics of naturalization

Naturalization is the most common procedure for Hungarian citizenship, which is suitable for those who have been living in the country for eight years or more in a resident status. First you need to open a residence permit on one of the legal grounds, after 3 years replace it with a permanent residence, and after another five years apply for a passport. To naturalize in Hungary, you must also meet the following conditions:

• availability of a place to live in the country (rented accommodation is allowed);
• permanent stable income sufficient for self-support;
• no criminal record and no criminal proceedings initiated on Hungarian territory;
• not posing a threat to national and public security;
• successfully passing a Hungarian language proficiency test.

In some cases, naturalization can be simplified. For example, foreigners over 60 years of age, incapacitated applicants and those who have graduated from a school or university in Hungary are exempted from taking the language test. The period of compulsory residence is reduced to 3 years for:

• spouses of Hungarian citizens;
• refugees;
• parents of underage Hungarian citizens;
• apolides (stateless persons).

There are special conditions for children of foreigners. If the child was born in Hungary or moved here as a minor, he/she can obtain citizenship after 5 years instead of the standard 8 years. If the passport is obtained by the parents, the children can automatically also participate in the naturalization procedure without residency requirements.

If you wish to naturalize in Hungary under the standard procedure, you must first open an immigration-type residence permit on one of the following grounds:

• Employment

A temporary residence card can be obtained when you sign a work contract with a Hungarian company. Sometimes a residence permit is also approved for independent activities, e.g., as an artist, sports or foreign media correspondent.

• EU Blue Card

If you have a special qualification and can prove it, for example with a diploma or a work record showing work experience, there is a chance to obtain a special residence permit with the right to family immigration. The EU Blue Card is granted upon concluding an employment contract in Hungary for at least six months with a salary of at least 2,000 EUR per month.

• Family reasons

Husbands and wives, children and parents of local citizens, permanent or temporary residents (depending on the type of residence permit of the host country) can move to Hungary with the right to naturalization. As an exception, other relatives can also be approved for reunification, e.g., if they are incapacitated.

• Investment

The golden visa in Hungary is granted to those who invest 250,000 EUR or more in local investment certificates. Alternatively, one can donate from one million EUR to local universities for their development, which also allows to open a residence permit for 10 years at once.

• Buying real estate

From 2025 Hungary will start granting residency to those who buy a house or apartment in the country with a value of 0.5 million EUR or more. The property must necessarily be residential, free of lawsuits and financial encumbrances.

• Doing business

It is possible to start the naturalization process in Hungary after opening a company on its territory. The law does not specify the minimum amount of authorized capital, the scope of the company's activity or its form of ownership, which attracts many foreign businessmen.

• Other reasons

Immigration-type residence permits are issued in Hungary for intra-corporate transfers, official visits, within the framework of international cooperation. It is also possible to obtain the document for humanitarian purposes, for example as a victim of human trafficking or as a petitioner for additional protection.

It is also possible to open a residence permit in Hungary on other grounds, for example as a student, and after moving, find a reason for immigration-type residence. This way increases the waiting period for citizenship, as some of the residence permits do not count towards the period of residence and do not entitle you to open a residence permit.

It is faster and easier to obtain the rights of a Hungarian citizen with a passport of another EU country. Some countries have simplified citizenship programs for up to 12 months, without a language test or income demonstration. You can find out more at a free legal consultation.

Stages of obtaining Hungarian citizenship

1. Obtaining a residence permit.

If you cannot enter Hungary without a visa, you need to apply for a residence permit at a consulate or embassy in your home country. You will need to submit documents for a residence permit, pay the state fee, and personally visit a diplomatic mission by appointment. In case of approval, a national visa is issued, with which you can come to Hungary and pick up your residence card at the place of registration.

2. Living with a residence permit and obtaining a permanent residence.

You can change your temporary residence permit to a permanent one 3 years after your move by applying to the National Migration Office in your place of residence or by submitting a request online through Enter Hungry service. You will need to prove the availability of housing in Hungary and financial security, as well as to supplement the general dossier with a certificate of no criminal record and a health insurance policy. The permanent residence is valid for an unlimited period of time, but the residence card itself must be changed every 5 years.

3. Applying for citizenship.

After eight years of continuous residence in Hungary, you can apply for citizenship status by applying in person at a comprehensive customer service office or a district office of the Migration Service. You will need to submit an application and attach documents, including the results of a previously passed language test.

4. Waiting for the decision and invitation to the oath.

Usually, requests for citizenship are considered within three months, but the period may be extended if there are not enough documents or if the authorized bodies are busy. If approved, you will be invited to the nearest territorial authority or to a reception at the mayor's office to take the oath.

5. Entry into citizenship.

On the appointed day, you will be required to visit the authorized body and recite the text of the oath in Hungarian. At the end of the ceremony, you will receive a naturalization certificate with which you can apply for a Hungarian passport.

Documents for application

To apply for Hungarian citizenship by naturalization, you will need the following:

• a valid identity card (passport for traveling abroad);
• application form, completed and signed in person at the reception;
• civil status certificates (birth, marriage and/or divorce, birth of children);
• proof of a place to live in the country (e.g., apartment rental agreement);
• proof of sufficient financial security (e.g., employment contract with salary or bank statement);
• certificate of absence of criminal record, including in the country of origin;
• certificate of successful completion of a language test;
• current permanent resident card.

All documents must be in Hungarian (a notarized translation is allowed), those that are issued in a single copy (e.g., passport) must be submitted with copies.

Conditions for granting the status

The status of Hungarian citizen cannot be granted to those who pose a threat to national security or public health, who are recognized as persona non grata, who are found to have violated the laws of other EU countries. Applications must be submitted only in person, in case of incapacity - through a legal representative. Citizenship is granted after the approval of the President, who has the right to require additional information or documents from the foreigner. The period of residence for naturalization must be continuous, which is approved by law.

How to apply for a Hungarian passport

For identification inside the country on the territory of the European Union, you can get a Hungarian internal passport. It looks like a plastic ID-card of an EU sample with encrypted personal (including biometrics and photo) data of the owner, general information about the document. You will need to visit a district government office, confirm your identity (e.g., with a passport and a resident card), provide a naturalization certificate, be fingerprinted and photographed.

The internal passport is issued free of charge, sent by mail or picked up in person where the request was submitted. The period of production of the document is from 8 to 20 days. Afterwards, you can also apply for a Hungarian passport. The document looks like a book with pages for visas and personal information about the owner printed on plastic. The procedure for issuing a passport for traveling abroad is as follows:

1. Visiting the passport office in person and filling out the application.
2. Submission of a package of documents (citizen's ID card, certificate of residence address and civil status certificates).
3. Passing the procedure of fingerprinting and photographing.
4. Waiting for 8-20 working days.
5. Receiving the passport by mail or at the passport office (in person).

The cost of a Hungarian passport for traveling abroad is 20 EUR if the document is valid for 5 years and 35 EUR if it is valid for 10 years.

You can delegate the documentary tasks for quick and easy obtaining an EU passport to international law specialists. Specialized lawyers help to obtain second citizenship on an individual basis according to accelerated procedures and without large investments.

Dual and second citizenship

Hungary allows multiple citizenship, but recognizes local passport holders as holders of only their own citizenship. This means that only national documents can be used within the country, including for border crossings. It is possible to keep your current passport when applying for a Hungarian passport if it does not contradict the laws of your native country. The laws of Hungary do not oblige state authorities to notify foreign partners about domestic civil proceedings and their outcome.

There are no “Dual Citizenship” treaties between Hungary and other countries as of September 2024. This means that the state does not have bilateral agreements on mutual recognition of passports, such as between Spain and Argentina. Outside Hungary, you can use the passport you deem appropriate, for example for visa-free entry to a country. If necessary, when abroad, you should contact the embassy of the country with whose document you crossed the border.

Acceleration of legalization process in Hungary

The easiest way to move to Hungary and gain access to general civil rights is with a passport from an EU country. The active migration and historical processes of the twentieth century have led to the fact that many foreigners today can find the necessary roots to formalize EU citizenship. According to simplified procedures, a passport is issued in a maximum of 12 months, and it is not necessary to live abroad beforehand, look for a reason to open a residence permit, demonstrate financial security or language level.

EU citizens are equal in rights throughout the entire territory of the association. This means that with a passport of any EU country a person can move to Hungary permanently, work officially, apply for free university places, open and run a business internationally. The easiest and most popular immigration programs are presented in Romania, Bulgaria and Slovenia. You can analyze the chances of obtaining a second EU passport quickly and easily by signing up for a free consultation with a dedicated lawyer.

Assistance in obtaining a second citizenship

International law specialists provide comprehensive support in obtaining a European Union passport. Migration lawyers thoroughly understand the nuances of foreign legislation and recommend clients the best ways to obtain a second citizenship, based on their personal situation. The assigned specialist helps to form a package of documents for the application, organize visits to the authorities, prepare for the oath, track the readiness of the passport and ID-card of the EU citizen.

The support of a specialized lawyer allows you to delegate most of the tasks and make the migration procedure as comfortable as possible. Cooperation under a contract gives you confidence that all the company's obligations will be fulfilled completely and on time.