Hungarian citizenship by naturalisation
Official name: Honosítás (Act LV of 1993 on Hungarian Citizenship, § 4)
Non-citizens who have lived in Hungary continuously for 8 years, have a clean record, secure livelihood and housing, prove Hungarian language ability and pass an exam on constitutional basics in Hungarian can apply. Shorter periods apply to spouses of Hungarian citizens, parents of Hungarian children, refugees and stateless people (3 years) and to people born in Hungary or who moved there as minors (5 years). People of Hungarian ancestry who speak Hungarian can apply without living in Hungary. Citizenship starts on the day of the oath.
Life in Hungary
Finance
3
Currency
Hungarian Forint
HUF
Hungarian Forint
Cost of living
58
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
Flat 15%
Income tax (national)
VAT 27% · social security 18.5%
Flat 15%; exemptions for young people under 25 and certain mothers.
Living
1
Happiness
#72 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Who it’s for
Long-term residents of Hungary, family members of Hungarian citizens, refugees, stateless people, and people of Hungarian descent who speak Hungarian.
Eligibility
General: 8 years of continuous residenceGeneral route
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need 8 years of continuous residence in Hungary before applying, plus the general conditions below.
8 years
Residence needed
- Clean criminal record under Hungarian law
- No pending Hungarian criminal case
- Secured livelihood and housing in Hungary
- No threat to public order or national security
Official wording
Living continuously in Hungary for the 8 years before applying; a clean criminal record under Hungarian law and no pending Hungarian criminal case; secured livelihood and housing in Hungary; no threat to public order or national security.
Hungarian language and constitutional basics exam
Sign in to check this route against your profileShow Hungarian language ability and pass a constitutional basics exam taken in Hungarian, unless exempt.
- Exempt: aged 60 or over when applying
- Exempt: graduates of Hungarian-language schools or universities
- Exempt: permanently and irreversibly declined health
- Exempt: people lacking legal capacity
Official wording
Proof of Hungarian language ability and a passed exam in constitutional basics taken in Hungarian. Exempt from the exam: people aged 60 or over when applying, graduates of Hungarian-language schools or universities, people with permanently and irreversibly declined health, and people lacking legal capacity.
3 years (preferential)Preferential cases
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need 3 years of continuous residence plus the general conditions, if you are in one of the preferential groups.
3 years
Residence needed · preferential cases
- Married to a Hungarian citizen for at least 3 years, or widowed
- Parent of a minor Hungarian citizen
- Adult adopted by a Hungarian citizen
- Recognised refugees and stateless people
Official wording
3 years of continuous residence plus the general conditions for people married to a Hungarian citizen for at least 3 years (or widowed), parents of a minor Hungarian citizen, adults adopted by a Hungarian citizen, recognised refugees, and stateless people.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement
- Document checklist
- Fees
The full requirements are for members
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- 3 more requirements
- 4 documents
- 2 fees
- 4 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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