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Summary of Hungarian Citizenship Options
By Guest Contributors, Dr. Nóra Óváry-Papp and Dr. András Félix Kovács
In Hungary, it is possible to derive citizenship based on ancestry, although the conditions for obtaining citizenship depend on the grounds on which you apply for citizenship and the documents you can provide to support your application.
Those who have at least one parent born in Hungary or at least one parent who previously had a Hungarian passport or ID card can submit a request for the verification of Hungarian citizenship. Those who do not have such documents may apply for Hungarian citizenship as well, if they can present the birth certificate of their parent and the marriage certificate of their grandparents. The ability to speak Hungarian is not necessary for obtaining citizenship this way. For those who wish to acquire citizenship on the basis of more distant ancestry, stricter conditions apply. In addition to the documents proving their origin, they must also prove their Hungarian language skills and need a clean criminal record.
In order to facilitate the acquisition of citizenship for Hungarian minorities and diaspora, Hungary has very relaxed rules on dual citizenship.
For those who do not have Hungarian ancestry, the Guest Investor Visa, the Hungarian equivalent of the Golden Visa (residence/citizenship by investment), is a favorable option. The holders of this visa can stay and work in Hungary for 10 years, renewable for a further 10 years. This 20-year period provides an adequate opportunity to obtain a permanent residence permit for an indefinite period. To obtain a Guest Investor Visa, you must either invest 250,000 euros in a Hungarian real estate fund or buy a residential property worth at least 500,000 euros. Alternatively, those in a charitable mood can also obtain the Guest Investor Visa by donating at least 1,000,000 euros to a university. The Guest Investor Visa also allows for family reunification.
Dr. Nóra Óváry-Papp is Counsel in the Budapest office of global law firm Baker & McKenzie. Her expertise spans a wide spectrum of employment matters, encompassing immigration, collective labor law, employment protection, and traditional employment issues. Nóra’s extensive experience extends to advising both domestic and multinational companies on employment-related concerns, including business transfer transactions and special projects. She actively contributes to internal investigations and provides comprehensive compliance advice on employment law.
Dr. András Félix Kovács is a Junior associate in the Budapest office of global law firm Baker & McKenzie. His practice mainly focuses on employment law and immigration issues. He is regularly involved in various types of employment matters including the establishment and termination of employment, amendment of employment contracts, reviewing internal policies and other employment documents. Félix also provides legal advice on Hungarian immigration law, including all types of residency and work permit applications.
