Obtain Hungarian Citizenship by Ancestry

If you consider you can obtain citizenship by descent in Hungary and want to make sure, this article is for you. Not only will you find out if you are eligible, but you will also be able to rely on specialized services for a smooth application.

Quick Facts
Means to acquire citizenship in Hungary	– descent, – naturalization, – marriage
Special requirements to get citizenship by descent	Yes, the applicant must have a Hungarian relative.
Access to citizenship based on the relation with Hungarian parents (YES/NO)	Yes
Access to citizenship based on the relation with other Hungarian ancestors (YES/NO)	Yes, other ancestors, such as great-grandparents, are also accepted.
Authorities in charge of the issuance of Hungarian documents	Government Office of the Capital City Budapest (BFKH), via consulates or government offices; the President of the Republic decides on naturalization
Permanent residence requirement (YES/NO)	No, there is no need to be a permanent resident of Hungary to secure citizenship by descent.
Option to search for Hungarian ancestors (YES/NO)	Yes, with Local Registers in city halls
Special procedure to complete to gain citizenship by ancestry	Yes, proving the ties to Hungary and good knowledge of the Hungarian language and culture
Degree of difficulty in obtaining citizenship	This is one of the simplest ways to acquire Hungarian citizenship.
Option to apply for citizenship by other means (YES/NO)	Yes, naturalization is also available for those who do not want to use descent as a means of acquisition of a Hungarian passport.
Requirement to live in Hungary (YES/NO)	No
Possibility to pass on citizenship to descendants (YES/NO)	Yes, citizenship can be passed on to descendants.
Citizenship application processing timeframe (approx.)	Several months (statutory deadline 3 months, extendable; in practice often up to a year)
Support in applying for citizenship by descent (YES/NO)	Yes, our lawyers can assist with the application.
Other immigration services (if any)	– support in applying for residency (temporary or permanent), – assistance in renewing stay documents, – support in obtaining citizenship by other means

How do I know if I am eligible for Hungarian citizenship by descent?

Citizenship in Hungary is granted on the jus sanguinis principle or blood ties. This means that nationality can be passed on from parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents.

Are there any requirements to obtain citizenship by ancestry in Hungary?

Yes, an individual will get Hungary’s citizenship by descent if:

he/she can demonstrate their Hungarian origin and can prove their knowledge of the Hungarian language;
his/her naturalization does not interrupt the national and public security of Hungary;
he/she must not have a criminal record under Hungarian law.

If you meet the above criteria, you can get in touch with our Hungarian lawyers. They will help you acquire Hungarian citizenship by descent.

What documents do I need to file for Hungarian citizenship by descent?

You must fill in your application in the Hungarian language and provide your birth certificate, marriage certificate of your parents, birth or death certificate of relevant great-grandparents, grandparents, or your parents. You can also present any other relevant document that could help you acquire Hungarian citizenship by descent, such as civil or military records, ID booklets, or old passports, etc.

Here is also an infographic on this subject:

What are the steps to apply for citizenship by descent in Hungary?

Obtaining Hungarian citizenship through ancestry consists of the following steps:

schedule an appointment with the Hungarian Consulate/Embassy before submitting your application;
file the application for Hungarian citizenship by heritage in person;
attach all essential documents to your citizenship application form;
the Consulate or Embassy will contact you for an interview to ask about your plans and circumstances;
wait for the Consulate or Embassy to contact you about your application for Hungarian citizenship by lineage.

Is there any way that I am NOT awarded citizenship by ancestry in Hungary if I am related to a Hungarian national?

Yes, in the following cases:

your ancestor emigrated from Hungary before 1929 and lived abroad for more than 10 years, losing their Hungarian nationality;
a female ancestor who married a foreign citizen before October 1^st, 1957 and lost her Hungarian citizenship;
you are a child of a Hungarian mother and foreign father, and you were born before 1957, in which case citizenship was not passed on automatically from your mother to you.

IMPORTANT! If you are not sure about your status, our Hungarian lawyers can perform the necessary checks and help you settle this matter.

Do I need to speak Hungarian if I apply for citizenship by ancestry?

Yes, basic knowledge of the language is required, as it will be verified during an interview. You should note that in some cases, Hungarian residency is also required. This may be the case for people who do not have connections to the country.

We also have a video on this subject:

Are there any other aspects I should know when applying for Hungarian citizenship by birth?

Yes, you must have a clean criminal record when applying for citizenship.

Where can I apply for Hungarian citizenship by descent?

You can do that in Hungary or with the nearest Hungarian Embassy or Consulate.

How long does it take to process a Hungarian citizenship by descent application?

The procedure can take approximately one year.

Does Hungary allow dual citizenship?

Yes, if you want to retain your other nationality.

Contact our lawyers without any hesitation if you are eligible for citizenship by descent in Hungary. You can also get legal assistance from our lawyers if you are planning to open a company in Hungary.

Ádám Tálosi, Attorney at Law · 2 October 2026Dr. Ádám Tálosi studied at the Faculty of Law of the Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church.