Eligibility quiz
Were you adopted by a Hungarian citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Hungarian passport and ID
Hungarian citizens can have a passport and identity card, both of which prove citizenship.
An expired passport can prove citizenship for one year after it expires, but documents must be replaced when they expire.
Live in Hungary for life
Hungarian citizenship gives you the right to live in Hungary indefinitely, with no minimum stay.
You can enter and return without conditions, and leave with a valid travel document, although a court or criminal case can restrict travel.
Work in Hungary
Hungarian citizens can work or run a business in Hungary without a work permit.
Get help abroad
Hungarian consulates may help in emergencies, including lost documents, detention, illness, accidents or evacuation.
If Hungary has no accessible consulate outside the EU, another EU country's consulate may help.
Fees may apply, and personal costs are not necessarily paid.
Vote and run for office
Adult Hungarian citizens can vote and stand in parliamentary, local and European Parliament elections, subject to address, registration and court restrictions.
Citizens abroad without a Hungarian home address can vote by post in parliamentary elections after registering.
Those with one generally vote at a Hungarian mission after registering there.
Use public healthcare
You can use public healthcare if you have the required health entitlement, such as through work, a pension, certain benefits or health-service contributions.
Citizenship alone does not guarantee free care.
Receive social support
You may qualify for social insurance payments, such as sickness or maternity benefits, if you are insured.
Pensions, family benefits, education support and other assistance have their own conditions, such as residence, income or insurance history.
How to apply
Applying at a district officeApplying at a district office
Find your district office
Find a district office where you can hand in your application.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Hungarian district office near your city accepts preferential naturalisation applications?”
Get the application form
Get the Hungarian naturalisation application form, called Honosítási kérelem.
Find the application formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I get the Hungarian preferential naturalisation application form Honosítási kérelem?”
Fill in the form
Fill in and sign the form yourself. If your birth or marriage has not been registered in Hungary, also fill in the relevant registration form.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Hungarian preferential naturalisation application form as an adopted adult?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the district office.
See required documentsHand in your application
Bring your signed application, supporting documents and valid photo ID to the district office and hand them in yourself. The office will check your identity and Hungarian-language ability.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Hungarian preferential naturalisation application at a district office in your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for a decision on your application and respond if the office asks you for more information or documents.
Find decision informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Hungarian preferential naturalisation decision take after applying at a district office?”
Take the citizenship oath
If your application is approved, attend the oath or affirmation at the place you chose in your application. You become a Hungarian citizen when you take it and can then apply for a Hungarian passport.
Find oath informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I take the Hungarian citizenship oath after preferential naturalisation approval?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Provide your original birth certificate or a certified copy.
Adoption records
Provide the adoption decision or another official adoption record showing that your Hungarian parent adopted you. Include the identifying and citizenship details needed to establish your Hungarian parent’s citizenship in your application.
Marriage certificates *
Provide your marriage or registered partnership certificate, as applicable, in the original or as a certified copy. If the relationship ended, provide the final divorce judgment or your spouse’s death certificate, as applicable.
* Only if you are or have been married or in a registered partnership.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Citizenship and tax residence
Hungarian citizenship can make you a tax resident, generally bringing tax on worldwide income.
A citizen with another citizenship and no registered home in Hungary is an exception to that citizenship rule.
Tax residence and treaties also affect liability.
Defence and military service
In a state of war, adult men with a permanent home in Hungary may have to serve in the military; those who object on grounds of conscience may serve unarmed.
Adult citizens with a permanent home in Hungary may also be assigned defence or civil-defence work under emergency rules.
Citizenship can be lost
You can give up citizenship if you already have or can acquire another citizenship, once the President issues a certificate.
It can be taken away if obtained unlawfully, but not after 20 years.
If you also hold citizenship from outside the EU, it may be suspended for up to ten years for conduct threatening public order, public safety or national security.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Immigration Forum Hungary for Foreigners /nVisa/
English Facebook group for people living in Hungary interested in Hungarian citizenship
Join on FacebookImmigration Journey in Hungary
English Facebook group for people living in Hungary interested in Hungarian citizenship
Request to joinHungarian Citizenship Exam (Alkotmányos alapismeretek vizsga)
English Facebook group for people interested in Hungarian citizenship
Request to joinConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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