The country’s passport is one of the most sought-after passports in the world, offering visa-free travel to numerous countries, including the US, Canada, and most of Europe.
However, to become a citizen of Hungary, you must have lived there for eight consecutive years. If you have Hungarian ancestry or if your spouse is a citizen by birth, this process can be expedited. Anyone who can demonstrate their Hungarian lineage, even if it dates to the 19th century, is eligible for citizenship in Hungary by descent.
Citizenship by descent
Jus sanguinis, Latin for “right of blood,” is the foundation of Hungarian citizenship law, according to which a person acquires citizenship through birth from parents who are citizens. Only children born to parents who are nationals, either one or both, are eligible. Children born in Hungary to parents of foreign nationalities are not covered by it.
Therefore, you can gain citizenship by descent through the streamlined naturalization process if either your mother or father is of the country’s heritage.
The applicant does not have to prove that their livelihood is assured in Hungary or that they have lived in Hungary regularly for a longer period, which is the main advantage of the streamlined naturalization process. They can become citizens of Hungary by descent without even having to work or have a bank account. All they must do is provide a documentation trail to demonstrate their Hungarian ancestry.
Types of citizenship procedures
A Hungarian passport through descent can be obtained through one of three processes:
Simplified naturalization
The procedure you have been reading about up to this point is this. All you must do is apply for citizenship and show that your parents or ancestors were natives of Hungary. You’ll also need to demonstrate your proficiency in basic Hungarian.
Naturalization
For those who have been residing in Hungary for a few years, this option is available. Whether you’re single, married, or have kids will determine whether you must pass a citizenship test.
Citizenship by declaration
However, it is only available to people who lost their Hungarian citizenship when they left the country between September 1947 and May 1990. This is another streamlined naturalization process. Stateless people under the age of 19 who have lived in Hungary for at least five years before applying are also eligible.
Needed proof
To prove that you are a descendant of immigrants who left Hungary or that either one of your parents is of Hungarian ancestry, documentation from the archives will be required. As soon as you can establish and show a line of descent, you can start the immigration procedure to Hungary. You must also be able to communicate in basic Hungarian.
Numerous acceptable documents can attest to your historical ancestry. For instance, old documents like birth, marriage, and death certificates of your ancestors, a soldier’s booklet or certificate, a registration certificate for schooling or graduation, a registration certificate for work, synagogue records, and others.
Additionally, you must certify that no criminal charges have been filed against you in a Hungarian court and that you don’t have a criminal record under Hungarian law. The authorities will also make sure that receiving citizenship by descent from a Hungarian does not compromise national security.
Can you be a citizen without Hungarian ancestry
Yes, it is possible to hold citizenship without having Hungarian or Jewish ancestry. However, this route is more difficult and requires that you remain in Hungary for at least 8 years before you may petition for citizenship. You must go through the “regular” citizenship process if you are not of Hungarian descent because Hungary does not give citizenship or residency in exchange for investment.
