Eligibility quiz
Were you born in Hungary?
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 the town hallApplying at the town hall
Find your town hall
Find the town hall that handles Hungarian citizenship applications for the place where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which town hall handles Hungarian citizenship naturalization applications for your city?”
Download the application form
Get the Honosítási kérelem naturalization form and any birth or marriage registration forms you need.
Download the formFill in the form
Fill in the form for yourself or your child, including a handwritten life story where required.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Hungarian citizenship naturalization application form?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the town hall.
See required documentsHand in your application
Bring the completed application, your identity document and required documents to the town hall and submit them in person. If applying for your child, bring your child to submit the application.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Hungarian citizenship naturalization application at the town hall in your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the decision on your application or your child's application. Answer any questions and provide any additional records the authority requests.
See what happens nextSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens after I submit a Hungarian citizenship naturalization application at a town hall?”
Take the citizenship oath
If approved, follow the notice to take the citizenship oath or affirmation before the mayor for your chosen place of residence. You or your child becomes a Hungarian citizen when the oath or affirmation is taken and can then apply for a Hungarian passport.
Find oath informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I take the Hungarian citizenship oath after naturalization?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Parent's citizenship record *
Bring a document showing that your parent has acquired Hungarian citizenship. Ask the office handling your application what evidence it accepts.
* Only if you are a minor relying on your parent having acquired Hungarian citizenship for an exception to the five-year residence rule.
Considerations
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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