Eligibility quiz
Was any of your ancestors ever 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 consulateApplying at a consulate
Find your consulate
Find the Hungarian embassy or consulate that handles applications for the place where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Hungarian consulate handles Egyszerűsített honosítás applications for your city?”
Get the application form
Get the simplified naturalisation application form, also called the naturalisation or re-naturalisation form.
Find the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I get the Hungary Egyszerűsített honosítás application form?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsFill in the form
Fill in the application form and the required forms for recording your family details in Hungary. You will sign the application before the officer.
See how to fillSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Hungary Egyszerűsített honosítás application and family registration forms?”
Prepare your application online
You can also prepare your application online: register, enter your details and attach scans if requested. Submit the online preparation and save or print the sheet with its QR code; you must still apply in person.
Prepare your applicationBook an appointment
Book a personal appointment with your consulate, following its instructions.
Book an appointmentGo to your appointment
Bring your application, originals or certified copies, and the required copies to the consulate; sign before the officer and answer questions in Hungarian. Every applicant, including a child, must attend; a legal representative submits for a child, and there is no citizenship application fee.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I attend my Hungary Egyszerűsített honosítás appointment at the consulate for your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait while the citizenship authority considers your application, and respond if you are asked for more information or documents.
See what happens nextSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens while I wait for a Hungary Egyszerűsített honosítás decision?”
Take the citizenship oath
If your application is approved, take the oath or affirmation at the Hungarian mission or, if you chose it in your application, before the appropriate mayor in Hungary. You become a Hungarian citizen that day; take it within one year of your first invitation or your naturalisation will cease to have effect.
Learn about the oathSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I take the Hungary Egyszerűsített honosítás citizenship oath?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get your birth certificate and the birth records needed to connect you to your relative with Hungarian ties, including those of the relatives between you. Provide originals or certified copies, and include your children’s birth certificates if you have children.
Hungarian origin records
Provide records that show your relative was a Hungarian citizen or that support your Hungarian origin; cultural ties alone are not enough. These may include church or archive certificates, a military or work book, a school certificate or another official record showing your relative’s name, birthplace and date of birth. If a relative has already received simplified naturalisation, give their name, birth details and naturalisation information instead of records already in their file.
Marriage certificates *
Get your marriage certificate and any marriage records needed to connect you to your relative with Hungarian ties. Include records that connect maiden and married names; if you are divorced, include the final divorce judgment or certificate.
* Only if you are or have been married, or a marriage record is needed to show your family ties.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationDeath certificates *
Get your former spouse’s death certificate if you are widowed. Include any death certificates needed to connect you to your relative with Hungarian ties.
* Only if you are widowed or need a death certificate to show your family ties.
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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