Acquiring Hungarian citizenship: A 2025 guide for foreign students, expats, and tourists

Thanks to its vibrant culture, central European location, and EU membership, Hungary is an attractive destination for foreign students, expats, and even long-term tourists. Many who settle in Hungary eventually consider acquiring citizenship to unlock full rights and opportunities. Here’s a concise and up-to-date overview of the main pathways to Hungarian citizenship, including requirements and the latest procedures.

Main routes to Hungarian citizenship (overview)

There are several ways to acquire Hungarian citizenship:

• Naturalisation: The most common path for foreign residents, including students and expats.
• Simplified naturalisation: For those with Hungarian ancestry or married to a Hungarian citizen.
• By descent: For children of Hungarian parents, regardless of birthplace.
• By marriage: For spouses of Hungarian citizens.

By investment (indirect): No direct citizenship by investment, but the Golden Visa can lead to residency and, eventually, citizenship.

1. Citizenship by naturalisation

To acquire Hungarian citizenship by naturalisation, there is a residency requirement: You must live in Hungary for at least 3 years with a residence permit, then obtain permanent residency and hold it for 8 more years, totalling 11 years of legal residence.

Other requirements:

• Pass a Hungarian language test and a citizenship exam.
• Have a clean criminal record.
• Show a stable income and a permanent address in Hungary.
• Demonstrate integration into Hungarian society.

Application process:

• Prepare and submit documents (application form in Hungarian, passport, proof of residence, income, etc.).
• Attend an interview and pass the citizenship test.
• Processing time is typically 8–12 months after submission.

2. Simplified naturalisation

• Eligibility: Available to those with Hungarian ancestors or married to a Hungarian citizen.
• Residency: No strict residency requirement for ancestry cases; for spouses, marriage must last 10 years (or 5 years with a child).
• Language: Intermediate Hungarian is required, and the application process is conducted in Hungarian.
• Application: Submit documents proving ancestry or marriage, and attend an interview in Hungarian.

3. Citizenship by descent

• Automatic citizenship: Children born to at least one Hungarian parent are automatically citizens, even if born abroad.
• Documentation: Provide birth certificates and proof of parent’s citizenship.

4. Citizenship by marriage

• Eligibility: After 10 years of marriage to a Hungarian citizen (or 5 years if you have a child together), you can apply for citizenship.
• Requirements: Must live in Hungary with your spouse and meet general requirements (language, clean record, income).
• No citizenship exam: Spouses are generally exempt from the citizenship test.

5. Golden Visa (investment route)

• No direct citizenship: Hungary does not offer direct citizenship by investment.
• Pathway: The Golden Visa allows for residency through a minimum EUR 250,000 investment, which can eventually lead to Hungarian citizenship via the naturalisation process.

Elaborate details: Ways to acquire Hungarian citizenship

Hungary offers several pathways to citizenship, each tailored to different backgrounds and circumstances. For foreign students, expats, and long-term visitors, understanding these routes can help you plan your future in the country.

Naturalisation

The most common method is naturalisation, which is designed for foreign residents who have built their lives in Hungary, including students and expats. To qualify, you must first live in Hungary for at least three years with a temporary residence permit, followed by eight years with permanent residency – amounting to a total of 11 years of legal residence.

During this time, you must maintain a stable income, a permanent address, and demonstrate integration into Hungarian society. Applicants are required to pass a citizenship exam and prove their knowledge of the Hungarian language. The process involves submitting numerous documents (such as proof of residence, income, and identity), attending an interview, and waiting for a decision, which typically takes 8–12 months after submission.

Simplified naturalisation

For those with Hungarian ancestry or married to a Hungarian citizen, simplified naturalisation provides a more accessible route to Hungarian citizenship. If you can prove direct descent from a Hungarian citizen – such as a parent, grandparent, or even a great-grandparent – you may apply regardless of your current country of residence, and there is no minimum residency requirement in Hungary.

However, you must provide clear documentation of your lineage and demonstrate at least intermediate proficiency in Hungarian, as the application process is conducted entirely in Hungarian.

Spouses of Hungarian citizens may also qualify for simplified naturalisation after 10 years of marriage (or 5 years if you have a child together), with similar language requirements but without the need for continuous residence in Hungary.

Citizenship by descent

Hungarian citizenship by descent is available to children born to at least one Hungarian parent, regardless of their place of birth. The process is straightforward: you need to provide birth certificates and proof of your parent’s Hungarian citizenship. There is no generational limit, as long as you can document the direct lineage, and residency in Hungary is not required. However, a basic understanding of Hungarian may be necessary for the interview, and all documents must be properly translated and certified.

Citizenship by marriage

Citizenship by marriage can be achieved either through ordinary or simplified naturalisation. If you are married to a Hungarian citizen and living in Hungary, you may apply for citizenship after three years of continuous, registered marriage and residence. For those living abroad, the waiting period is 10 years (or 5 years if you have a child together). In both cases, you must prove your knowledge of Hungarian, but you are generally exempt from the citizenship test if you meet the marriage duration criteria.

Citizenship by investment (not direct)

Finally, while Hungary does not offer direct citizenship by investment, the Golden Visa program allows foreigners to obtain residency through a minimum investment of EUR 250,000 in real estate funds or donations to higher education institutions. After 11 years of legal residence in Hungary via this route, investors may become eligible for Hungarian citizenship by naturalisation, following the same requirements as other applicants.

Key points for students and expats wishing to obtain Hungarian citizenship

• Language skills: All applicants must demonstrate at least basic proficiency in Hungarian, as the process and interviews are conducted in Hungarian.
• Dual citizenship: Hungary allows dual citizenship, so you can retain your original nationality. However, you should check if your country allows it too: e.g. China does not allow dual citizenship.
• Application locations: You can apply in Hungary or at a Hungarian consulate abroad, but the process must be conducted in Hungarian.
• Timeline: The full process, especially via naturalisation, can take over a decade, but those with ancestry or married to a Hungarian can qualify much sooner.

Summary table: Main citizenship routes

Route	Residency requirement	Language test	Special notes
Naturalisation	11 years total	Yes	Exam and integration required
Simplified naturalisation	None (ancestry); 5–10 years (marriage)	Yes	For ancestry or marriage
By descent	None (if parent is Hungarian)	No	Automatic for children of citizens
By marriage	5–10 years	Yes	No exam if married to Hungarian
Golden Visa	11 years (via residency)	Yes	Investment for residency only

Hungarian citizenship opens doors to the EU, offering the right to live, work, and study anywhere in the union, plus visa-free travel to over 170 countries. If you’re a foreign student, expat, or long-term visitor, understanding these pathways can help you plan your future in Hungary.

Sources and more information: Hungary Golden Visa, Immigrant Invest, Get Golden Visa, Hungarian Lesson, Daily News Hungary, Helpers

Read more about expats in Hungary HERE.

• Read also: Avoiding culture shock – Tips for expats in Hungary facing the unexpected

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