Eligibility quiz
Was any of your ancestors 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 serves the place where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Hungarian consulate serves your city for simplified naturalisation?”
Download the application form
Download the simplified naturalisation application form, called Egyszerűsített HONOSÍTÁSI–VISSZAHONOSÍTÁSI kérelem, and any birth or marriage registration forms you need.
Download the formFill in the form
Complete the form in Hungarian and choose where you want to take the citizenship oath or affirmation. If you are 18 or older, write your life story by hand in the space provided.
See how to fill itSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Hungary simplified naturalisation application form?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Book a personal appointment with the consulate that serves the place where you live.
Book an appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a consular appointment for Hungary simplified naturalisation?”
Go to your appointment
Bring your completed application, required documents and valid photo ID to the consulate in person. The officer will check your Hungarian and take your photograph, signature and fingerprints.
Find appointment detailsSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens at a consular appointment for Hungary simplified naturalisation?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the Hungarian authority to decide your application, and answer any requests for more information.
See how long it takesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does Hungary simplified naturalisation take at a consulate?”
Take the citizenship oath
If your application is approved, attend when you are called to take the oath or affirmation at the place you chose. Take it within one year of the certificate being issued; you become a Hungarian citizen on the day you take it.
Learn about the oathSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I take the citizenship oath after Hungary simplified naturalisation?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Bring your birth certificate and the birth records that link you to your Hungarian grandparent through your parent. Bring originals or officially certified copies; you may be able to use a relative’s existing simplified naturalisation file for the family records instead.
Grandparent’s Hungarian origin records
Bring records showing that your Hungarian grandparent was Hungarian or that your family has Hungarian origins. These can include birth, marriage or death certificates; church or archive certificates identifying the volume, page and entry; or an official military, work or school record showing your grandparent’s name, place and date of birth. If a relative already became Hungarian through simplified naturalisation, you may ask the office to use their file: give their name, place and date of birth and, if available, a copy of their naturalisation certificate.
Marriage certificates *
Bring your marriage certificate and any marriage certificates needed to show how your parent’s or Hungarian grandparent’s names changed. If you are divorced, also bring the final divorce judgment or certificate. Bring originals or officially certified copies.
* Only if you are or have been married or need to show a family name change.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationSpouse’s death certificate *
Bring your spouse’s death certificate to show your current marital status. Bring the original or an officially certified copy.
* Only if your spouse has died.
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
The Hungarian Citizenship Journey
English Facebook group for people interested in Hungarian citizenship
Request to joinr/HUcitizenship
English Reddit group for people interested in Hungarian citizenship
Join on RedditHungarian Citizenship by Descent & Simplified Naturalization
English Facebook group for people interested in Hungarian citizenship
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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