Hungary
Last Updated: 2026-03-31
Official Portal: Hungarian Government — Citizenship Matters
Embassy Finder: Hungarian Diplomatic Missions
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Residency for naturalization | 8 years continuous lawful residence (standard); 5 years for spouses; 3 years for refugees; none for ethnic Hungarians via simplified naturalization |
| Language requirement | Basic Hungarian language proficiency (assessed during interview; no formal CEFR level specified) |
| Civics test | Yes — test on Hungarian constitutional knowledge (Alkotmanyos alapismeretek) |
| Processing time | 3—6 months (simplified naturalization); 6—12 months (standard) |
| Naturalization fee | HUF 50,000 (approximately EUR 130) for standard; simplified naturalization for ethnic Hungarians is free |
| Dual citizenship | Fully permitted — no restrictions |
| Citizenship by birth in Hungary | Limited jus soli — only to prevent statelessness or for children of settled residents |
| Citizenship by descent | Yes (jus sanguinis) — automatic if at least one parent is a Hungarian citizen |
| Governing law | 1993. evi LV. torveny a magyar allampolgarsagrol — Act LV of 1993 on Hungarian Citizenship, as amended |
Dual Citizenship
Hungary fully permits dual and multiple citizenship without restriction.
- Hungarian citizens who acquire a foreign nationality do not lose Hungarian citizenship.
- Foreign nationals who naturalize as Hungarian are not required to renounce their prior nationality.
- This has been the consistent position since the 1993 Citizenship Act.
Diaspora context: Hungary’s liberal dual citizenship policy is closely tied to the estimated 2—3 million ethnic Hungarians living outside Hungary’s borders, primarily in Romania (Transylvania), Slovakia, Serbia (Vojvodina), Ukraine (Transcarpathia), Croatia, Slovenia, and Austria. The 2010 Amendment dramatically expanded access through the simplified naturalization pathway.
Note on Slovakia: When Hungary introduced simplified naturalization in 2010, Slovakia responded by passing a law stripping Slovak citizenship from anyone who voluntarily acquired another nationality. This created a diplomatic rift and practical problems for ethnic Hungarians in Slovakia who applied for Hungarian citizenship.
Acquisition of Nationality
By Birth (Jus Soli)
Hungary does not apply a general jus soli principle. Birth on Hungarian territory alone does not confer citizenship.
Exceptions (Section 3(3)):
- A child born in Hungary to parents who are both stateless or of unknown citizenship acquires Hungarian citizenship at birth.
- A child born in Hungary to a parent who holds a permanent residence permit and the other parent is unknown may acquire citizenship.
- Foundlings discovered on Hungarian territory are deemed Hungarian citizens until another nationality is established.
By Descent (Jus Sanguinis)
Hungarian citizenship is acquired automatically at birth if (Section 3(1)):
- At least one parent is a Hungarian citizen at the time of the child’s birth.
- This applies regardless of where the child is born and regardless of the parents’ marital status.
No generational limit: Hungarian law does not impose a generational cutoff. As long as the parent-child chain of Hungarian citizenship remains unbroken, descendants born abroad continue to acquire citizenship by descent. This is particularly significant for the Hungarian diaspora in the Americas and Australia.
Historical considerations:
- Before 1957, children born out of wedlock acquired the mother’s citizenship only. The father’s citizenship was transmitted only to children born within marriage. Persons affected by this may have claims under current law.
- Persons who can demonstrate an unbroken line of Hungarian descent from pre-Treaty of Trianon (1920) Hungarian citizens may qualify for simplified naturalization (see below).
By Adoption
A child under 18 adopted by a Hungarian citizen acquires Hungarian citizenship upon the adoption becoming effective under Hungarian law (Section 3(2)), provided:
- The child is a minor at the time of the adoption.
- The adoption is recognized under Hungarian law.
- Adults adopted by Hungarian citizens do not acquire citizenship through adoption.
By Marriage
Marriage to a Hungarian citizen does not automatically confer citizenship. However, the foreign spouse benefits from a significantly reduced residency requirement:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Residence | 5 years of continuous lawful residence in Hungary (reduced from 8) |
| Marriage duration | At least 3 years of marriage to a Hungarian citizen |
| Language | Basic Hungarian (assessed at interview) |
| Civics test | Pass the Hungarian constitutional knowledge test |
| Criminal record | No pending criminal proceedings or convictions constituting grounds for refusal |
| Financial self-sufficiency | Confirmed means of support |
| Renunciation | Not required — dual citizenship permitted |
Alternative: If the spouse qualifies as an ethnic Hungarian (has Hungarian ancestry), the simplified naturalization pathway may be used instead, which has no residency requirement at all.
By Naturalization (Residency)
Standard pathway (Section 4(1)):
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Lawful residence | 8 years of continuous lawful residence in Hungary |
| Language | Basic Hungarian language proficiency (assessed at a personal interview; no formal certificate required) |
| Civics knowledge | Pass the Hungarian constitutional knowledge test (Alkotmanyos alapismeretek vizsga) |
| Criminal record | No pending criminal proceedings; no convictions that would bar naturalization under Hungarian law |
| Financial self-sufficiency | Must have confirmed means of livelihood in Hungary |
| No threat to public order | Naturalization must not conflict with Hungary’s national security or public policy interests |
| Renunciation | Not required — dual citizenship permitted |
| Fee | HUF 50,000 (approximately EUR 130) |
Simplified naturalization for ethnic Hungarians (Section 4(3a), 2010 Amendment):
This is Hungary’s most significant citizenship provision. Since 1 January 2011, a person of Hungarian descent may acquire Hungarian citizenship through simplified naturalization with the following requirements:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| No residence in Hungary required | Applicants need not live in or have ever visited Hungary |
| Hungarian ancestry | Must demonstrate that they or an ancestor was a Hungarian citizen (or likely a citizen based on birthplace within pre-Trianon Hungarian territory) |
| Language | Basic Hungarian proficiency — assessed during an interview (typically conducted at the Hungarian consulate) |
| Civics | No formal test required under the simplified pathway |
| Criminal record | No pending criminal proceedings in Hungary |
| Fee | Free |
Scale: Since 2011, over 1.2 million persons have acquired Hungarian citizenship through the simplified process, primarily ethnic Hungarians from Romania, Serbia, Ukraine, and Slovakia.
Documentary evidence of ancestry: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, church records, or other documents showing that an ancestor was born in or was a citizen of the Kingdom of Hungary or its successor state before the Treaty of Trianon (1920) or during the interwar period. The standard of proof is flexible.
Loss and Renunciation
Voluntary Renunciation
A Hungarian citizen may renounce citizenship by filing a declaration with the Minister of Justice or a Hungarian diplomatic mission (Section 8), provided:
- They hold another nationality or have been assured one.
- They are not subject to pending criminal proceedings in Hungary.
- They have no outstanding tax or other public obligations.
- Renunciation will not render them stateless.
The Minister of Justice decides on renunciation applications.
Involuntary Loss
| Ground | Details |
|---|---|
| Acquisition by fraud | Citizenship obtained through false declarations, fraudulent documents, or concealment of material facts may be revoked within 10 years (Section 9). |
Important: Hungary does not revoke citizenship for voluntary acquisition of a foreign nationality. There are no provisions for loss based on foreign military service, disloyalty, or prolonged residence abroad.
Constitutional protection: Article G of the Fundamental Law (2011 Constitution) states that no Hungarian citizen may be deprived of citizenship acquired by birth or obtained lawfully.
Restoration of Nationality
Re-naturalization (Section 5(2)):
Former Hungarian citizens who lost their citizenship (by renunciation or under prior laws) may apply for re-naturalization with reduced requirements:
- 3 years of lawful residence in Hungary (reduced from 8).
- Basic Hungarian language proficiency.
- Constitutional knowledge test.
- No pending criminal proceedings.
For ethnic Hungarians who never held Hungarian citizenship:
- The simplified naturalization pathway (Section 4(3a)) effectively serves as a restoration mechanism for descendants of persons who held Hungarian citizenship before the Treaty of Trianon or during the interwar period.
For persons who lost citizenship during the Communist era:
- Persons who were deprived of citizenship by the communist government or who lost it by fleeing Hungary (typically 1947—1989) may apply for re-naturalization with favorable consideration.
Stateless Persons and Foundlings
- Foundlings discovered on Hungarian territory are deemed Hungarian citizens until another nationality is established (Section 3(3)(b)).
- Stateless children born in Hungary to stateless parents acquire Hungarian citizenship at birth.
- Stateless adults may apply for naturalization after 5 years of lawful residence (reduced from the standard 8) under Section 4(2).
- Hungary is a party to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.
Document Checklist
Application form for Hungarian citizenship (obtained from the district office or Hungarian consulate)
Valid passport and Hungarian residence permit (for standard naturalization; not required for simplified pathway)
Birth certificate (apostilled + certified Hungarian translation by a sworn translator)
Marriage certificate (if applicable)
Proof of Hungarian ancestry (for simplified pathway: ancestor birth/marriage/death certificates, church records, or other documentation proving Hungarian citizenship of an ancestor)
Criminal record certificate from country of origin (apostilled + translated)
Criminal record certificate from Hungary (if resident)
Proof of lawful residence (for standard pathway: residence permit, address registration)
Proof of income / financial self-sufficiency (for standard pathway)
Hungarian constitutional knowledge test certificate (for standard pathway)
Biometric passport photos
Fee payment receipt (HUF 50,000 for standard; free for simplified)
Sources
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1993. evi LV. torveny a magyar allampolgarsagrol — Act LV of 1993 on Hungarian Citizenship, as amended (including the 2010 simplified naturalization amendment). https://njt.hu/jogszabaly/1993-55-00-00
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Fundamental Law of Hungary, Article G — Constitutional provisions on citizenship. https://njt.hu/jogszabaly/2011-4301-02-00
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Budapest District Government Office — Citizenship Matters. https://www.kormanyhivatal.hu/hu/budapest/jarasok/kozponti-okmanyiroda/allampolgarsagi-ugyek
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Hungarian Diplomatic and Consular Missions — Consulate finder and simplified naturalization applications. https://konzuliszolgalat.kormany.hu/en
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Treaty of Trianon (1920) — Historical context for Hungarian borders and diaspora. https://www.mfa.gov.hu/
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European Convention on Nationality (1997) — Hungary is a party. https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/full-list?module=treaty-detail&treatynum=166