All paths to Hungary citizenship: from naturalisation to investment

Hungary offers several paths to citizenship, each unique and meeting specific requirements and conditions. The choice depends on individual circumstances, such as Hungarian roots, family connections, investment opportunities or even the length of residence in the country.

Here is a list of the main paths available to those who want to become a Hungarian citizen:

1. Right of birth: for children born in Hungary or from Hungarian parents.

2. Naturalisation: requires long-term legal residence in Hungary.

3. Repatriation: for people with Hungarian roots.

4. Marriage: for foreigners married to a Hungarian citizen.

5. Family reunification: for family members of Hungarian citizens.

Declaration: special cases, including refugees and stateless persons.

In 2023, the Hungarian government published a bill that said investors would be able to obtain a Hungary residence permit by investing at least €250,000.

Those interested in the investment program can purchase residential property, invest in local real estate funds, or donate to a higher education institution. The investor can become eligible for citizenship by naturalisation several years later.

How to obtain a Hungary Golden Visa

Hungarian citizenship by birth can be obtained by:

• children if at least one of the parents is a Hungarian citizen, regardless of the child’s place of birth;

• children under 18 adopted by Hungarian citizens;

• children under 18 found on Hungarian territory whose parents have not been identified.

In cases where it is necessary to confirm citizenship by birth, parents must submit an application on behalf of the child and obtain a certificate of citizenship using a simplified procedure, as well as submit the following documents:

• application for citizenship, Honosítási, Visszahonosítási kérelem;

• application for registration of the birth of a child, A születés hazai anyakönyvezéséhez;

• birth certificate translated into Hungarian and certified by a notary;

• parents' marriage certificate;

• a copy of the passport of one of the parents if he is not a Hungarian citizen.

To obtain Hungarian citizenship by naturalisation, applicants must have lived in Hungary for 3 years with a temporary residence permit and 8 years with permanent residency. You also cannot spend more than 45 days a year outside the country.

Other requirements for applicants for citizenship by naturalisation:

• knowledge of the Hungarian language;

• absence of criminal records and other problems with the law;

• compliance with all public and national security requirements of Hungary;

• passed the citizenship test;

• having a stable source of income;

• having a permanent address in Hungary.

Only foreigners with a permanent residence card can obtain a permanent registration address in Hungary. To become a permanent resident of Hungary, one must live there for at least 3 years.

When a foreigner gets a permanent residence card and registers at their living place, the countdown for naturalisation starts. To qualify for citizenship, a permanent resident must live for another 8 years in the country. Coupled with temporary and permanent residence permits, the term is over 11 years.

In some cases, the period of residence in Hungary with a permanent residence card is reduced from eight to five or three years.

A 5-year naturalisation period is established for foreigners who were born in Hungary or received a residence permit before the age of 18. Fast-track naturalisation process within a period of 3 years is available for:

• refugees;

• stateless persons;

• spouses of Hungarian citizens;

• children under 18 whom Hungarian citizens adopted;

• foreigners whose children are Hungarian citizens.

Minor children obtain Hungarian citizenship with their parents, regardless of how long they have lived in Hungary. Children are included in the naturalisation application submitted by their parents.

Children whom Hungarian citizens adopt immediately receive the right to citizenship, regardless of their residence.

The citizenship application is submitted in person to the Hungarian Ministry of the Interior or the Single Customer Service Office in Budapest.

It is necessary to submit a package of documents, such as:

• Honosítási kérelem statement in Hungarian;

• international passport;

• two photographs 3,5 × 4.5 cm;

• confirmation of successful completion of a test of knowledge of the state language and the basics of the Constitution or a diploma of education in the Hungarian language;

• marriage and divorce certificates, even if the spouse is not a Hungarian citizen and does not claim citizenship;

• certificates of official work in Hungary;

• income certificate from the Hungarian Tax Service or income certificate from the employer;

• contract for the purchase and sale or rental of housing in Hungary;

• an extract of registration at the place of residence, which confirms the minimum period of residence in the country;

• receipt of payment of the duty €6 to 26.

Children under 14 and citizens over 60 are exempt from testing.

It is not possible to obtain Hungary citizenship directly by investment. However, starting in 2024, a new residence permit by investment program, also called the Golden Visa, will begin to operate in Hungary.

3 investment options are offered under the Golden Visa program:

1. Purchase of investment fund units in the amount of €250,000+. The certificates must be approved by the Central Bank of Hungary, Magyar Nemzeti Bank, and issued by the Hungarian Real Estate Fund.

2. Purchase of residential real estate for €500,000+.

3. A financial donation of €1,000,000+ to a higher education institution that is a member of the Foundation for Asset Management in the Public Interest.

Investment holding period. Investment must be maintained for a minimum of 5 years.

Requirements for applicants are the following:

• possession of a valid passport;

• confirmation of investment intentions in a written statement;

• availability of insurance for the full range of medical services;

• sufficient funds to live in Hungary;

• investment agreements or certificates;

• evidence of financial solvency and origin of funds;

• the applicant is not a citizen of the EU or the EEA.

Investing process. First, the applicant is issued a Guest Investor Visa for up to 2 years, allowing them to enter Hungary to apply for a residence permit. With the Guest Investor Visa, one can stay up to 90 days in Hungary and enter and leave the country multiple times.

Investments must be made within three months of first entering Hungary on the Guest Investor Visa.

The investor can include their family in the Golden Visa application: spouse and children.

An application for a residence permit is submitted to the competent migration service authority in Hungary or online.

A residence permit by investment is issued for 10 years, after which it can be extended for the same period or, in the future, apply for citizenship. Holders of a residence permit can live in Hungary, conduct business and enjoy all the rights granted to residents.

Hungary citizenship by repatriation is a special path for descendants of ethnic Hungarians. Applicants must prove kinship with ancestors who were born or lived in the territories of Southern Slovakia, Transylvania, the modern Transcarpathian region of Ukraine or Vojvodina before 1920 or from 1938 to 1945.

It is necessary to provide documents confirming Hungarian origin. It can be:

• the applicant’s birth certificate;

• birth certificates of the applicant’s parents and all ancestors through whom the applicant obtains Hungarian citizenship;

• marriage certificate of the applicant’s parents and their ancestors.

Although the requirements may be less stringent than for naturalisation, knowledge of the Hungarian language and culture is still important for successfully obtaining citizenship by repatriation.

The process of obtaining citizenship involves applying to the relevant Hungarian government authorities, accompanied by the necessary documents:

• statement;

• international passport;

• the applicant’s birth certificate;

• certificate of marriage, divorce, birth of children;

• birth, death, and marriage certificates of parents and their ancestors;

• two photographs 3,5 × 4.5 cm;

• certificate of basic knowledge of the Hungarian language for all applicants over 14.

Foreigners apply for Hungarian citizenship if they have lived in an officially registered marriage with a country citizen for at least 3 years.

Citizenship applicants must prove that they have resided in Hungary with their Hungarian spouse for a 3-years. They must also meet the general requirements for applicants for citizenship in Hungary: have no criminal record, no tax debts, and a basic understanding of the Hungarian language.

Applying for citizenship involves providing documents, such as:

• marriage certificate with a Hungarian citizen;

• application for naturalisation Honosítási kérelem in Hungarian;

• international passport;

• two photographs 3,5 × 4.5 cm;

• birth certificate;

• certificates of official work in Hungary;

• income certificate from the Hungarian Tax Service or income certificate from the employer;

• contract for the purchase and sale or rental of housing in Hungary;

• an extract of registration at the place of residence, which confirms the minimum period of residence in Hungary;

• receipt of payment of duty.

If the marriage was registered outside of Hungary, the applicant provides a certificate confirming the registration of the marriage within the country — Adatlap házasság hazai anyakönyvezéséhez.

If spouses of Hungarian citizens live abroad, they can also obtain Hungarian citizenship after 10 years of marriage. If a couple has children, the period before filing documents is reduced to 5 years from the marriage date. They must also demonstrate knowledge of the Hungarian language.

Hungary citizenship through family reunification is granted to foreign family members of Hungarian citizens. They obtain the appropriate residence permit, and after five years of living in the country, they apply for citizenship.

The relatives of foreigners whom Hungary has officially recognised as refugees can also exercise this right.

It is necessary to provide documents confirming family ties that arose before the applicant arrived in Hungary. For example:

• birth, adoption and marriage certificates, that is, certificates of relationship with a sponsor, minor or incapacitated relative;

• certificate of incapacity for the applicant’s relatives;

• a bank statement or income certificate as a commitment from the sponsor to support the applicant.

This path is available to three categories of persons:

1. Applicants who lost their citizenship due to emigration between September 15th, 1947 and May 2nd, 1990.

2. Applicants under 19 years of age who were born in Hungary but do not have citizenship. The person must lived in the country for five years before filing the declaration.

3. Applicants who were born before October 1st, 1957, to a Hungarian mother and a foreign father, and therefore did not become citizens by birth.

The applicant submits an official application to the Hungarian Ministry of the Interior; other than the declaration, no documents are required.

A Hungarian passport is the key to new opportunities in the EU

1. Global mobility. Hungarian passport holders are entitled to visa-free travel to 171 countries, including most European countries, the USA, the UK, Japan, Singapore, and many others.

2. Membership in the EU. With a Hungarian passport, you can live in any EU country. In addition, Hungarian citizenship opens access to the labour market and educational resources of all EU member states.

3. Prospects for work and business. A Hungarian passport gives you the right to work and do business throughout the EU, as well as access to European organisations and support services, including EURES, an online job search platform, the European Innovation Council and venture capital funds.

4. Quality healthcare system. Hungary citizenship provides free access to quality medical care in public clinics and hospitals after taking out a health insurance policy. Citizens can also obtain a European Health Insurance Card, EHIC and use medical services in any EU country.

5. Opportunity to study at European universities. Hungarian citizens can study in public schools and universities in the Hungarian language free of charge. They also have the right to enrol in any university in the EU on favourable terms.

6. Access to European banks. Hungarian citizens have the opportunity to open accounts, make payments, take out loans and mortgages, and invest in securities with the help of European banks.

Lake Balaton is known as the "Hungarian Sea". It is Central Europe's largest freshwater lake and a popular destination for swimming, sailing, and relaxing on its beaches

Holders of a Hungarian passport travel visa-free to 171 countries worldwide, making it one of the most powerful passports for international travel. These countries include the USA, the UK, Japan, and Australia.

In addition, holders of a Hungarian residence permit can freely travel throughout the EU and the Schengen Area and visit more than 35 European countries, including Georgia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey, without visas.

When considering applications for Hungarian citizenship, various situations may arise in which the authorities may refuse the applicant. Here are some of the most common grounds for refusal.

Non-compliance with legal requirements: insufficient stay in the country, incorrect execution of documents or lack of necessary evidence.

Lack of knowledge of the Hungarian language: naturalisation requires knowledge of the Hungarian language at a certain level. Failure to demonstrate basic language proficiency may result in refusal.

Criminal record: having problems with the law or a criminal record, especially for serious crimes.

Threat to public safety or law: information indicating that the applicant’s presence in the country may threaten public safety or order.

Misrepresentation: providing false information or attempting to deceive during the application process may result in denial and even legal consequences.

To minimise the risk of refusal, we recommend carefully preparing all necessary documents, strictly following procedures and ensuring full transparency and truthfulness of all data provided.

Hungary allows dual citizenship, so foreigners can acquire a Hungarian passport without renouncing their original citizenship.

However, it is important to note that the rules regarding dual citizenship may vary depending on the laws of the applicant’s country. For example, China does not recognize dual citizenship. Chinese citizens who acquire foreign citizenship must renounce their first citizenship.

The passport validity period is:

• Hungarian passports issued to citizens over 18 usually have a validity of 10 years;

• passports for children aged 6 to 18 are issued for 5 years and children under 6 — for 3 years.

When your passport expires, you must apply to renew it. This can be done at the local authorities responsible for issuing passports or at Hungarian diplomatic missions abroad.

The payment of a state fee accompanies passport renewal; the amount may vary. After submitting all the necessary documents and paying the fee, the application process begins, which lasts about 8 weeks. Upon completion, a new passport is issued.

1. Benefits of Hungarian citizenship include visa-free travel to 171 countries, the right to live and work in the EU, access to quality healthcare and education, and the ability to launch business in the EU.

2. One becomes a Hungarian citizen by birth, naturalisation, repatriation, marriage, family reunification and declaration.

3. To obtain a Hungarian passport by naturalisation, you need to live in the country for at least 11 years.

4. The program for investors offers several options for obtaining a residence permit with a minimum investment amount of €250,000 and the prospect of obtaining citizenship.

5. Hungary allows dual citizenship, which means retaining original citizenship while obtaining Hungarian.