Get Your Hungarian Citizenship by Descent
If you have Hungarian ancestry, you may be eligible to obtain Hungarian citizenship by descent. Hungary recognizes citizenship through family lineage—giving you the opportunity to reclaim your heritage and enjoy the benefits of EU citizenship.
Why Consider Hungarian Citizenship?
Hungarian citizenship allows you to reconnect with your roots while unlocking the full benefits of an EU passport. As a citizen, you’ll enjoy freedom of movement, access to world-class healthcare and education, and the right to live, work, and invest anywhere in the European Union.
Whether you’re seeking new career opportunities, a more connected life in Europe, or simply a way to honour your family’s history, Hungary provides a welcoming pathway to citizenship for those with ancestral ties.
Who Is Eligible for Hungarian Citizenship by Descent?
Hungary follows the principle of jus sanguinis (right of blood), meaning children of Hungarian citizens can automatically acquire citizenship—regardless of where they are born. This principle also allows individuals with Hungarian ancestry, up to their great-grandparents, to apply for citizenship by descent.
Additional Requirements for Applicants
To apply for Hungarian citizenship, you must:
Demonstrate basic knowledge of the Hungarian language (verified by an interview).
Have no criminal record or pending legal issues.
Provide documentation proving your Hungarian ancestry (e.g., birth and marriage certificates, citizenship records).
Factors That May Affect Eligibility for Hungarian Citizenship
While the law is favourable, some historical rules may affect your eligibility. It’s important to check whether your Hungarian ancestor retained their citizenship at the time of your birth.
Ineligibility may arise from the following:
Emigration before 1929 – Those who left Hungary before this date and lived abroad for more than 10 years without applying to retain their citizenship lost their Hungarian status.
Loss through marriage – Until October 1, 1957, Hungarian women who married foreign citizens automatically lost their citizenship.
Children of a Hungarian mother and foreign father (before 1957) – Citizenship was not passed automatically; it required a formal declaration.
How to Recover Hungarian Citizenship if It Was Lost
If your ancestor lost Hungarian citizenship, you may still be eligible through a simplified naturalization process. This may apply if:
The ancestor lost citizenship between September 15, 1947 and May 2, 1990 due to political reasons or forced expatriation.
The ancestor was relocated to Germany during past conflicts.
You can prove Hungarian origin or citizenship through official records.
Spouses of Hungarian citizens may also apply for citizenship after 10 years of marriage, or 5 years if they share children.
What Documents Do You Need?
A birth certificate from your ancestor is not enough to prove eligibility. You will also need a passport, citizenship certificate, or other official documentation. EuroPassport can help locate and obtain these records through our genealogist network.
Hungary: A Unique Place to Live and Work
Hungary is a dynamic country where history meets modern opportunity. From the medieval castles of Eger to the bustling streets of Budapest, Hungary offers a vibrant mix of cultural heritage and urban life. Known for its thermal baths, historic towns, and rich traditions, Hungary is also home to world-renowned cuisine like goulash, and celebrated wines and sausages.
With a low cost of living and growing demand for international professionals, Hungary is becoming a top destination for expats, entrepreneurs, and remote workers. English is widely used in sectors like tech, finance, and creative industries—especially in cities like Budapest, Debrecen, and Szeged.
Benefits of EU Citizenship Through Hungary
As an EU citizen, you’ll gain:
The right to live and work in any EU country
Visa-free travel across Europe
Access to public healthcare and top-tier education
Real estate and investment opportunities throughout the EU
The ability to pass citizenship to your children
Dual citizenship—Hungary allows you to keep your current nationality
Learn more about the benefits of holding citizenship with an EU Member State here.
Why EuroPassport?
EuroPassport is the first Canadian company to offer people an easy and affordable way to obtain legal European citizenship. Based in Toronto, Canada, we are a team of trusted immigration lawyers, genealogists and documentation specialists who have pioneered an efficient process for our clients to obtain the Hungarian Citizenship they seek. Our experts take care of all the paperwork, in optimal deadlines.
- We take away the paperwork hassle, bureaucracy, legal complexity – and work on your behalf, using the most efficient route to obtain the citizenship you seek.
- Our streamlined process cuts out lengthy waits and confusing roadblocks to citizenship. Look to us to expedite your Hungarian citizenship and deliver in optimal timelines.
- Skip the exorbitantly high legal fees. Our migration experts and a team of Canadian and European legal advisors have refined a process that is considerably more cost-efficient, especially for those with family roots in Europe.
- We are a respected Canadian company based in Toronto – so you won’t have to deal with distant overseas law firms. Our track record is remarkable, as the first and only fully registered European Immigration services business in Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
The process of applying for and obtaining your Hungarian citizenship is unique to each case, however the average time is 9-15 months.
When you apply for citizenship, any previous denial may hamper your chances on subsequent applications. An example of this would be declaring a date that is incorrect according to laws and legislations.
Immigration laws are constantly changing, and we are keeping up with every change, which may affect the required documents.
We also have a network of lawyers and genealogists in Europe who will prepare and supervise your application. We have the potential to prepare the most formidable citizenship application you can have.
Don’t risk submitting an unsuccessful application. EuroPassport does everything for you! Our team cooperates with top-tier lawyers in Hungary; we first put together your application locally, and then your documents are sent to Hungary to continue the rest of the citizenship process. You won’t even have to visit your local embassy or consulate for the process of getting your citizenship certificate as this will be completed in Hungary.
However, once your citizenship process is completed, you will have to visit the nearest Hungarian consulate to apply for the passport.
You may be eligible to apply for Hungarian citizenship if you have at least one parent, grandparent or even great-grandparent who was born in Hungary. Being Hungarian automatically qualifies you as being a European citizen with access to the many benefits/freedoms guaranteed in all EU countries.
Learn more about the benefits of holding citizenship with an EU Member State here.
This will depend on the complexity of your specific case and how many documents you require to prove your Hungarian ancestry. Learn more about the process and costs associated on our Fees page.
We do offer a 4-payment schedule for individuals and 6-payment schedule for families, and a discount of 5% for families of 2-4 people and 10% for families of 5 or more people.
Contact us to learn more about the pricing structure and payment options.
Yes, Hungary generally allows dual citizenship!
It is not mandatory, especially in international sectors, but learning it makes integration easier and improves job opportunities.
Yes, we also conduct genealogy research in Hungary. If you are interested in finding out more about your Hungarian ancestors, contact us for details.
You will only need to pay taxes in Hungary if you move to Hungary and live there at least 6 months of the year. If you move to another EU member country, you may not have to pay taxes in Hungary, but you may still have to pay taxes in the European country in which you decide to live, so you would need to consult with the local tax authorities in that country.
Yes, its strategic location, tax incentives and economic growth make it an attractive destination for investors. The cost of living is also lower compared
to other Western European countries, offering excellent value for money.
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