How to get Hungarian citizenship by descent

Hungarian citizenship by descent is available to anyone with Hungarian ancestors, regardless of whether they were born in the country. If your family has roots in Hungary, you may be able to get citizenship based on your heritage. In this article, we explain the benefits of Hungarian citizenship, walk you through the steps and requirements, and cover other ways you can get citizenship or a visa in Hungary.

What are the benefits of getting Hungarian citizenship by descent?

Since 2010, more than one million people have obtained Hungarian citizenship, and it is easy to see why. Getting Hungarian citizenship comes with several advantages, from visa-free travel to access to affordable healthcare and education. Yet, it is estimated that around five million people who may be eligible through descent have still not taken the opportunity. Here is what they might be missing out on.

Relatively short processing time

Hungarian citizenship by descent is typically processed faster than in many other European countries. With the necessary documents in order and professional assistance if needed, the process often takes around one year from start to finish. Depending on your individual case, it may take a little more or less time, but overall it is a relatively smooth and efficient path to citizenship.

Multiple citizenships

Hungary allows dual or even multiple citizenship. This means you can become a Hungarian citizen without giving up your existing nationality.

Working, studying, and living in the EU

As a Hungarian citizen, you gain full rights to live, work, and study in any EU member state. Once you get your citizenship, you can move freely across borders, access local job markets, enroll in schools or universities, and enjoy the same legal protections as local residents in all EU countries.

Affordable health care and education

As we covered in our article on the cost of living in Hungary, life here is more affordable than in North America or Western Europe. Citizens benefit from access to a state-financed healthcare system and may also qualify for free university education, including programs in medicine, law, and engineering.

Visa-free travel in the Schengen Area

Hungary is part of the Schengen Area, so once you become a citizen, you can travel freely across 29 countries without needing a visa. In many cases, you do not even need a passport; a Hungarian national ID card is enough for border-free travel.

Schengen countries you can visit include:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Czechia
• Croatia
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Liechtenstein
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Norway
• The Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland

How does Hungarian citizenship by ancestry work?

Now that we have covered the benefits, let’s take a closer look at how Hungarian citizenship by ancestry works. While this guide is here to walk you through the process, we strongly recommend seeking professional assistance. A missing document or a small mistake on the application form can lead to long delays. Our experts have helped many clients successfully secure their Hungarian citizenship by ancestry as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Check if you are eligible

Hungarian nationality law is based on the principle of jus sanguinis, meaning “right of blood”. In practice, this means that if you have Hungarian ancestors, even if you were not born in Hungary, you may be eligible for citizenship. Eligibility can extend to those with Hungarian parents, grandparents, or even great-grandparents, depending on the circumstances.

If you do not have Hungarian ancestry, there are still other ways to obtain a residence permit, a citizenship or a visa. We have covered these options in previous articles:

• Hungarian citizenship
• Hungary golden visa
• Guest investor program in Hungary
• Hungarian residence permit

Gather all the necessary documents and fill out the application form

If you are eligible for Hungarian citizenship by ancestry, the next step is to gather all the required documents and complete the official application form. The form can be downloaded from the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Documents that may be accepted as proof of Hungarian origin include:

• Birth, marriage, or death certificates
• Church-issued certificates (especially useful for verifying ancestry before 1895)
• Hungarian citizenship certificates
• Military service booklets
• Naturalisation or re-naturalisation documents
• Official name change or dismissal documents
• Residence permits or residency certificates
• School records or certificates
• Valid employment books
• Valid Hungarian passports

All foreign documents must be officially translated into Hungarian. To avoid errors or missing documents, our team can help you prepare the full application package and ensure everything meets official requirements.

Apply and file your application

Once everything is ready, you need to book an appointment at the nearest Hungarian Consulate or Embassy and file your application in person. You will also be asked to demonstrate basic knowledge of the Hungarian language during a short interview.

If accepted, take the oath of allegiance

After your application is submitted, the Ministry of Interior typically responds within three months. In some cases, this period can be extended by another three months. If your application is approved, you will be invited to take the Oath of Allegiance. Citizenship is officially granted on the day you take the oath.

The Oath of allegiance in English:

“I swear that I regard Hungary as my country. I will be a faithful citizen of the Republic of Hungary. I will respect and obey the Constitution and laws of this country. I defend my country to the utmost of my strength, I serve it to the best of my abilities. So help me God.”

The Oath of allegiance in Hungarian:

“(…) esküszöm, hogy Magyarországot hazámnak tekintem. Magyarországnak hű állampolgára leszek, az Alaptörvényt és a jogszabályokat tiszteletben tartom és megtartom. Hazámat erőmhöz mérten megvédem, képességeimnek megfelelően szolgálom. Isten engem úgy segéljen.”

Crystal Worldwide Group is here to help

Crystal Worldwide Group is an international law firm that specializes in residency by investment, tax planning, and wealth protection. During our more than thirty years in operation, we have managed to earn the respect and trust of our clients by offering professionally sound and lawful immigration solutions, tax savings, and wealth protection, together with fast and timely services provided at the highest level of discretion.

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