In this guide I will explain the ways by which you can acquire Hungarian Citizenship. The first one is through your Hungarian blood or ancestry. The second one is through marriage with a Hungarian Citizen (and/or children) and the third one is by naturalization which means after legally living and working in Hungary for eight consecutive years. The guide will contain the main conditions and main requirements for each pathway and it will help you as a starting point to understand which one is the best for you. The guide will not contain all requirements and all processes. I recommend to research on the subject as much as you can even if you might feel everything very confusing, but once you decided that you will do it, seek expert advice if possible.
I have other 2 guides which explain all types of temporary residence permits and all types of permanent residence permits:
- Guide to all types of temporary visas and residence permits in Hungary
- Hungary: all types of permanent residence permits explained
Hungarian Citizenship by ancestry
You have the right to apply for Hungarian citizenship if your anscestors were hungarian. In other words, all descendants of hungarians who for example left Hungary before, while or after the Hungarian uprising of 1956, have in principle the right to apply for citizenship. To apply you will need to have evidence of that; the most common way to do it is with a birth certificate. In case you do not have documents such as a birth certificate, you will need to go first through the process of family history research. If and after you are finished with that process, you have both confirmed you have hungarian anscestors and also have proof of it, then you can submit your appplication for citizenship. A second main requirement for this will be to speak basic or intermediate level of Hungarian language. In some cases, none of the two main requirements will be easy and you will need to put lots of resources and patience into it.
Where can you apply: in the consulate or embassy of Hungary in your city or country or in the closest one. Contact them to ask for all requirements and the process.
Hungarian Citizenship by marriage and/or children
In the case of acquiring hungarian citizenship through marriage and family, there are 2 ways. In both cases, the marriage will need to be official, registered, continuous and the couple have to officially have lived in the same household within hungarian soil. Another condition for the marriage is that the Hungarian Citizen was already Hungarian Citizen at the time of the marriage. In this scenario, you will need intermediate level of Hungarian language although the level as such as a condition is not specified. Nonetheless, definitely you need to be able to establish a conversation.
After 3/5 years and having children
If you have been married for 3/5 years, you have children, and throughout those 3/5 years you have lived with your spouse in the same household in hungarian territory, you can apply to be a Hungarian Citizen. And although you will need to speak Hungarian language, you will be exempt from the Hungarian Citizenship constitutional exam.
After 10 years without children
If you have been married for 10 years (without having children), and throughout those 10 years you have lived with your spouse in the same household in hungarian territory, you can apply to be a Hungarian Citizen. And although you will need to speak Hungarian language, you will be exempt from the Hungarian Citizenship constitutional exam.
Where can you apply: in Hungary, but not in the inmigration office. In the case of citizenship is at the district´s or municipality´s office.
Hungarian Citizenship by naturalization
In the case of not having hungarian anscestors, and not having hungarian family (spouse and children), you can only apply via naturalization. This means that you need to have lived continuously and worked legally in Hungary for 8 consecutive years. Only then you will have the right to apply for citizenship, however you will need to complete the Hungarian Citizenship constitutional exam. To complete that exam, you will need to have advanced level of Hungarian language. In case you have only intermediate level, you can do it, but in that case I recommend a preparation course specific to pass that exam. There are other conditions, but these are the main ones.
Where can you apply: in Hungary, but not in the inmigration office. In the case of citizenship is at the district´s or municipality´s office.
Multiple or Dual Citizenship
Hungarian law allows for you to have dual or multiple citizenship. So if you acquire hungarian citizenship, you do not have to renounce your citizenship from your home country. You can have both or multiple ones.
This topic is complex and most people have specific personal circumstances, therefore if you have questions, you have the comment´s section and I will try to answer them, but I cannot promise an answer to all special situations.
Do you need help?
I can assist you in different ways!
Have a good day,
Renato
Source: 13_hungary_citizenship_study_en.pdf (europa.eu)
