Obtaining a Hungarian passport

Hungarian citizenship can be obtained by birth, repatriation, through naturalization or as a result of marriage. The path to a passport of this EU country, as a rule, takes 8 years, during which it is necessary to stay continuously on the territory of the state. For some categories of foreigners, the period is reduced to 3 or 5 years. In particular, ethnic Hungarians living abroad can take advantage of simplified naturalization on condition of proof of origin and basic knowledge of the language. The procedure and ways of acquiring Hungarian citizenship are laid down in the Citizenship Act.

The Hungarian passport attracts foreigners from countries outside the European Union, as it gives the opportunity to travel without a visa, live, work, study in prestigious EU universities. Also, the country with a stable economy guarantees comprehensive support from its side, which allows you to do business and invest safely. Next, let's look at the easiest way to get Hungarian citizenship, how much time and money it will take, and whether there are ways to simplify the immigration process. 

Advantages of Hungarian citizenship

Hungary attracts immigrants who are striving to obtain a European passport. One of the important advantages of EU citizenship is the ability to freely visit more than 160 countries, including Canada, Japan, the United States and Egypt. Also, among the major benefits that a Hungarian passport gives:

1. the right to reside and self-actualize in any EU state without the need to apply for additional permits;
2. consular assistance when traveling;
3. attractive opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs, including one of the lowest income tax rates in Europe (15%);
4. opportunities for spouses, children and parents to obtain citizenship through family reunification;
5. access to quality healthcare services in Hungary and abroad through the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), which is free of charge;
6. the possibility to study in Hungarian without course fees, to have priority over foreigners from outside the EU when applying for admission to European universities, the right to apply for scholarships and benefits.

To live in Hungary, you can obtain a passport of any European Union country without spending 8 years on standard naturalization. With the support of experienced lawyers, you can become an EU citizen in 4-14 months. Specialists will choose the best option depending on the individual situation, provide support at all stages of immigration. You can learn about alternative ways to quickly move to Europe during a free consultation.

Main ways of obtaining a Hungarian passport

There are different options for foreigners from outside the European Union to acquire Hungarian citizenship, each with its own requirements for applicants. The choice of the basis for immigration will determine the duration and cost of acquiring citizenship. Below we will take a closer look at the main paths leading to a Hungarian passport.

Naturalization

Naturalization is the most common way of acquiring Hungarian citizenship. The main disadvantage of this procedure is its duration - as a rule, it takes from 8 years. The country offers different grounds for immigration, allowing you to get residence permit, then permanent residence and later citizenship. It should be taken into account that in some cases (unskilled employment, self-employment, study) the owners of residence permits cannot become permanent residents. Below we will consider the most relevant options for moving to Hungary with the prospect of naturalization:

1. Work. Hungary offers different types of residence permits for those who want to be employed on its territory (seasonal employment, highly qualified professional activity, intra-corporate transfer, others). The permit is issued on the basis of an employment contract concluded with a Hungarian employer. Depending on the type of residence permit, proof of higher education or relevant experience, salary from 1 500 EUR (for EU Blue Card applicants) will be required. The residence permit is issued for up to 2 years or for the duration of the employment contract with the possibility of extension.
2. Education. Student residence permit can be obtained on the basis of a certificate of enrollment in a Hungarian educational institution, proof of course fees, sufficient financial means, health insurance. Knowledge of the language of the study program is also required. Minor applicants must provide parental consent. The residence permit is valid for one year or as long as the training lasts, it can be extended for a maximum of 3 years. Hungarian university graduates can only apply for a residence permit and citizenship if the basis for the residence permit changes, for example, employment.
3. Job search or starting a business. After completing your studies in Hungary, you can obtain a residence permit, which is valid for a maximum of 9 months without extension. To apply for the permit, you must present a certificate of registration with a public employment agency or a document of commitment by a Hungarian company to employ you. The applicant must also have sufficient financial means to cover expenses during the validity of the residence permit, housing, health insurance. If you have found a job or registered a company, a new residence permit can be issued, allowing you to obtain a residence permit and citizenship in the future.
4. Family reunification. Spouses, registered partners, children of residence permit holders or Hungarian citizens may request a residence permit. In order to obtain the permit, the receiving party needs to prove kinship ties, financial resources to support themselves and family members planning to immigrate, suitable housing, health insurance. The document is valid from 3 to 10 years with the possibility of extension. In this case, the permit is issued for a period not exceeding the validity of the residence permit of the applicant requesting family reunification.

Marriage

A foreigner who has been married to a Hungarian citizen for at least 10 years, or if they have a joint child of 5 years of age or older, can obtain citizenship under a simplified procedure, provided that he or she speaks the state language. It is not necessary to reside in the territory of the country. Also, spouses and partners of Hungarians can apply for a residence permit through family reunification, having previously obtained a long-term visa at the consulate abroad. The document is valid for up to 3 years with the possibility of extension.

Staying in union with a Hungarian citizen for at least 2 years and residing in the territory of the state with a residence permit, you can obtain a national residence card (nemzeti tartózkodási kártyát). The document is valid for a maximum of 10 years with the possibility of renewal for a similar period or requesting citizenship by standard naturalization after 8 years.

Investments

Foreigners from non-EU countries can obtain a residence permit for a visiting investor valid for 10 years. The residence permit is granted upon making financial investments in the national economic interest of at least EUR 250,000. The investment can be made in residential real estate, securities or in the form of a donation to a Hungarian university in the amount of 1,000,000 EUR or more. After entering the territory of the country, it is necessary to confirm the realization of the declared financial investments in the economy of the country through the online portal Enter Hungary.

The residence permit can be extended for another 10 years by submitting an application no later than 30 days before the expiration of the current permit, if you still own assets (real estate, securities) on the basis of which the original document was issued. Renewal of the residence permit is carried out without re-investment if a donation of 1,000,000 EUR was initially made to the university. You will be able to apply for citizenship by standard naturalization after 8 years of residence in the country.

Repatriation

Hungarian descendants can obtain citizenship under a simplified scheme, provided they prove their ancestry and have a basic command of the national language. The repatriate does not have to live in the country, as in the case of standard naturalization. When submitting a request, biometric data (fingerprints, photograph, signature) are submitted and the necessary documents are provided. The application must be registered in person at a consulate, an authority of the Hungarian Ministry of Interior or the One-Stop Customer Service Office in Budapest.

Hungarian language skills are assessed by the person accepting the application (children under 14 years of age are exempted from this). The case is processed within a period of 3 to 8 months. If the citizenship request is approved, the applicant undergoes an oath ceremony and receives a naturalization certificate, which can be used to issue a Hungarian passport.

Requirements and procedure for obtaining a Hungarian passport

The composition of the dossier and the length of the path leading to a Hungarian passport depend on the chosen basis for immigration. When applying for citizenship, the following documents must be submitted:

1. application in the prescribed form;
2. birth certificate;
3. current passport;
4. certificate of marital status (marriage, divorce, registered partnership, other);
5. receipt for payment of the fee.

Documents in a foreign language, except English, German and French, must be translated and legalized. Spouses applying for a Hungarian passport may make the request jointly, including minor children. The process of acquiring citizenship by standard naturalization will consist of the following steps:

1. Submitting a request for a residence permit. To stay in the country for more than 90 days, foreigners must obtain a residence permit or a visa entitling them to a residence permit. The application is submitted to a Hungarian consulate abroad and a fee (110 EUR) must be paid. The issuance of a residence permit can be done online on the state platform Konzinfo Start within 30 days after obtaining a long-term visa and entering the country. The validity of the permit depends on the reason, for example, in case of employment it is 2 years with the possibility of extension for another three-year period.
2. Obtaining permanent resident status. After 5 years of stay in Hungary it is possible to obtain a permanent residence permit provided that you have suitable housing, regular income and no criminal record. The request is submitted online at the Enter Hungary portal with the payment of a fee (110 EUR). The application must be accompanied by passport, civil status certificates, income certificate, rental agreement or ownership of housing, health insurance policy. The status of the case, which is considered for up to 70 days, can be checked online on the Enter Hungary portal. The ready-made permanent resident document will be delivered by mail.
3. Applying for citizenship. After 8 years of residence in Hungary, you can start applying for citizenship. The request is submitted in person to the consulate abroad, the district office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the Genaral Customer Service Office. The application is accompanied by civil status documents, a certificate of no criminal record, proof of passing the Hungarian language exam (in most cases), and a receipt for the payment of the fee. The application is processed for up to six months, after its approval it is necessary to swear an oath of allegiance to the country within 12 months and receive a certificate of naturalization.
4. Issuance of a Hungarian passport. A Hungarian passport can be issued on the basis of a naturalization certificate issued not more than 3 years ago. It is also necessary to present an identity card, certificate of residence address, civil status certificates, current photo. Fingerprints are taken at the time of application (for persons over 12 years old). The request is submitted at the Hungarian Document Management Office or a Hungarian consulate abroad with a fee of 18 EUR (6 EUR for children).

Obtaining a second citizenship is a complicated procedure that requires compliance with the conditions set by the state and registration of numerous permits. For successful immigration it is necessary to know the current changes in the legislation, its peculiarities and specifics, so professional assistance will significantly increase the chances of success in obtaining a European passport. Accompanied by lawyers, you will be able to obtain EU citizenship in the shortest possible time.

How much time and money it takes to obtain a Hungarian passport

When planning to move to Hungary, you should take into account that it takes 8 years to obtain citizenship by standard naturalization, so the living expenses during the whole period will be substantial. In 2025 the approximate monthly expenses of one person living in Hungary are 615 EUR, and a family of four needs 2 160 EUR on average. Renting a one-room apartment will cost you at least 360 EUR, three-room apartments - from 617 EUR per month.

You should also take into account the fee for the examination for knowledge of constitutional rights and Hungarian language (320 EUR), translation and legalization of documents (from 6 EUR per certified page). Below are the duration and cost of obtaining Hungarian citizenship by different methods:

1. Repatriation: no residency required, processing cost — 18 EUR.
2. Marriage to a Hungarian citizen: minimum residency requirement — 3 years, processing cost — 190 EUR.
3. Naturalization: minimum residency requirement — 8 years, processing cost — 355 EUR.
4. Investment: minimum residency requirement — 8 years, processing cost — 130 EUR.

It should be taken into account that the amounts indicated behind consist only of fees for visa, residence permit, permanent residence, citizenship and passport. Also, should be added the cost of accommodation and legal services, and when immigrating through investment, a financial investment of at least 250,000 EUR should also be taken into account.

What doesn't work: how you can't get a Hungarian passport

Acquiring a Hungarian passport gives foreigners the opportunity to access all the benefits of European citizenship. The desire to immigrate as quickly as possible often pushes people to look for quick and easy solutions, especially in the feedback from people who have already obtained the status. However, there are many myths surrounding the issuance of a second passport that cannot only be confusing, but can also lead to negative consequences, including fines and criminal prosecution. Let's take a look at the most common misconceptions about obtaining Hungarian citizenship:

1. Possibility to buy a passport of a Hungarian citizen. The country does not offer programs that allow you to purchase citizenship. Even after investing, you will only receive a residence permit and will only be able to apply for a Hungarian passport upon naturalization. Any offers to purchase citizenship are fraudulent, so they inevitably lead to problems with the law, administrative and/or criminal penalties. As a rule, scammers promise to produce fake documents or falsify data in official registers. An attempt to use such a “passport” may result in criminal liability.
2. Sham marriage. There is a myth that Hungarian spouses can automatically obtain citizenship, but this is not true. The authorities examine each case individually, carry out authenticity checks on the relationship, and a sham marriage is a crime. If exposed, citizenship, if granted, is revoked and both parties are prosecuted. Even if the marriage is genuine, one must have been in a relationship for at least 3 years to qualify for a Hungarian passport.
3. Birth on the territory of the country as a path to automatic citizenship. Hungary, like most European states, applies the principle of the right of blood (jus sanguinis) rather than the right of soil (jus soli). Citizenship can only be passed on from the father or mother. Even if a child was born on the territory of the country, he or she will not be able to obtain a Hungarian passport automatically, he or she will still have to go through all the stages of naturalization. The misconception about obtaining citizenship by right of soil is based on confusion with the laws of other countries - for example, the United States, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and others.

The only way to a Hungarian passport is to go through all the stages of immigration established by law. The procedure usually takes 8 years, so it is worth considering alternative options to obtain legal status in Europe. With the help of international law specialists, you can obtain EU citizenship in 4-14 months. You will not have to delve into the legislation and peculiarities of the procedures, because the lawyers will independently select the optimal basis for immigration and will accompany you at all stages. You will learn about the details of the simplified program during a free consultation.

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Dual citizenship in Hungary: is it allowed to have more than one passport?

The Hungarian legislation officially allows a second citizenship. Applicants for naturalization are not obliged to renounce the passport of their country of origin. However, in some cases, other states may impose their own conditions, in particular the prohibition to hold two citizenships. The Netherlands, for example, allows the retention of a second passport only in certain cases, such as refugee status.

Dual citizenship should not be confused with second citizenship - it is possible only if there is an agreement between countries. In this case, a person with two passports enjoys the same rights in both countries, for example, consular protection, the possibility to choose tax residency. Having a second citizenship means that each country considers the person to be only its own citizen. It should be known that Hungary has not concluded treaties with other countries allowing dual citizenship.

Where it is faster and easier to obtain a second passport: an overview of alternatives

Acquiring a second citizenship is an important step, especially for foreigners from outside the EU seeking to empower themselves. However, the standard naturalization process in Hungary takes at least 8 years, requiring a significant investment of time and money. Some EU countries have programs that allow you to obtain a second passport much faster.

Bulgaria, Romania and Slovenia offer simplified repatriation procedures for quick acquisition of citizenship. The main condition for this is proof of origin, so it is important to collect as complete a dossier as possible and follow the established deadlines for application. With the help of specialized professionals, you can easily obtain a European passport and live with it in Hungary or another EU country. International lawyers will draw up an individual immigration plan for you and help you to implement it effectively in a short period of time. You can learn about the details of simplified immigration programs during a free consultation.