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Adriatic Gateway
Hungary Citizenship by Descent
Hungary offers citizenship by descent through Hungary ancestry. As an EU member since 2013, Hungary citizenship provides full European benefits plus access to the stunning Adriatic coastline and Mediterranean lifestyle.
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Processing Time
12-18months
Starting Price
$1,000
Why Choose Hungary Citizenship?
EU citizenship with work rights across 27 countries
No Hungary requirement for descent applications
Beautiful Adriatic coast with 1,200+ islands
Visa-free travel to 185+ countries worldwide
Growing tourism and real estate opportunities
Mediterranean lifestyle with lower cost of living
Access to EU healthcare and education systems
Dual citizenship allowed - keep your US passport
Application Process & Pricing
Everything you need to know about getting your Hungarian citizenship by descent
Eligibility Requirements
Key requirements for Hungarian citizenship by descent
At least one direct ancestor (typically parent, grandparent or great-grandparent) who was a Hungarian citizen or a citizen of the historic Kingdom of Hungary.
Documented direct lineage from the qualifying ancestor to you via full birth and marriage certificates for each generation.
Proof of the ancestor's Hungarian citizenship or origin (Hungarian passports, citizenship certificates, military or census records, address cards).
Correct route selection: citizenship verification (often no language requirement) vs. simplified naturalisation (requires conversational Hungarian).
Clean criminal record and no threat to Hungary's public or national security.
No long-term residence or minimum-income requirement for ancestry-based routes; many applicants apply entirely from abroad.
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Required Documents
Documents you'll typically gather for a Hungarian citizenship-by-descent case
Your full birth certificate and current passport.
Birth, marriage and (if applicable) death certificates for each generation back to the Hungarian ancestor.
Ancestor's Hungarian civil records (birth, marriage, sometimes church registers from within today's or historic Hungary).
Evidence of Hungarian citizenship (passports, citizenship certificates, military records, address registers).
Foreign immigration and naturalization records for ancestors who emigrated, showing if and when they took another citizenship.
Police clearance certificates and proof of current residence.
Certified Hungarian translations and apostilles for all foreign-language documents.
Process Timeline
Step-by-step timeline for your Hungarian citizenship journey
1
Eligibility & Route Review
Analyse ancestry to decide between citizenship verification and simplified naturalization; identify documentation gaps.
1-2 weeks
2
Hungarian Archive Research
Request records from Hungarian state archives, church registers and municipal offices; address historic border changes.
3-8 months
3
Document Authentication
Secure apostilles and certified translations; reconcile name changes and spelling variations across countries.
2-3 months
4
Application & Language Interview
Prepare the citizenship file in Hungarian and schedule the consular interview; practise basic conversational Hungarian where required.
1-2 months
5
Decision & Passport
Budapest processes the application, issues citizenship certificate and enables Hungarian passport issuance.
6โ12 months typical
Common Challenges & Solutions
How we de-risk your citizenship file
Typical obstacles in ancestry-based citizenship cases and ways a specialist team helps you navigate them.
Challenge: Historic borders and proving that an ancestor was legally Hungarian
Solution: Territory & Citizenship Mapping
โข Map ancestral towns against historic Kingdom of Hungary and modern borders.
โข Check whether ancestors fell under relevant 1920 and 1941โ45 citizenship provisions.
โข Identify whether you likely qualify for verification (already a citizen) or simplified naturalisation (becoming a new citizen).
โข Summarise your family's legal story in a clear memo for consular officers.
โข Check whether ancestors fell under relevant 1920 and 1941โ45 citizenship provisions.
โข Identify whether you likely qualify for verification (already a citizen) or simplified naturalisation (becoming a new citizen).
โข Summarise your family's legal story in a clear memo for consular officers.
Challenge: Hungarian language expectations
Solution: Practical Language-Interview Preparation
โข Clarify when no language is required (verification cases).
โข For simplified naturalization, focus on practical conversational skills rather than textbook grammar.
โข Provide question banks and scripts for typical consular interviews (family, background, motivation).
โข Coordinate with tutors and self-study resources focused on citizenship interviews.
โข For simplified naturalization, focus on practical conversational skills rather than textbook grammar.
โข Provide question banks and scripts for typical consular interviews (family, background, motivation).
โข Coordinate with tutors and self-study resources focused on citizenship interviews.
Challenge: Inconsistent spellings and identity issues across countries
Solution: Identity Reconciliation Dossier
โข Track all name variants due to transliteration, marriage or anglicisation.
โข Document the changes with official records and sworn statements where needed.
โข Pre-emptively explain discrepancies so authorities are less likely to question your file.
โข Document the changes with official records and sworn statements where needed.
โข Pre-emptively explain discrepancies so authorities are less likely to question your file.
Challenge: Coordinating ancestry claims for a large Hungarian diaspora family
Solution: Family Sequencing Strategy
โข Design a strategy for siblings, cousins and children around the same qualifying ancestor.
โข Reuse archive research and core documents across related files.
โข Sequence applications so the family becomes Slovak/EU together where possible.
โข Clarify how citizenship passes to children born before and after your own naturalisation.
โข Reuse archive research and core documents across related files.
โข Sequence applications so the family becomes Slovak/EU together where possible.
โข Clarify how citizenship passes to children born before and after your own naturalisation.
Our Track Record Overcoming Challenges
98%
Success Rate
Even complex cases
2,500+
Cases Completed
All citizenship types
15
Years Experience
Specialized expertise
Don't Let Challenges Stop Your Citizenship Journey
Our experts have seen every possible obstacle and know exactly how to overcome them.
Standard
Basic Package
$1,000 USD /Adult Applicant
1:1 guidance with a dedicated advisor. You retrieve the documentsโwe tell you what, where, and how. Once your file is complete, we conduct final review.
Includes:
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Kickoff call + personal roadmap
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Tailored client portal
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Prefilled document order forms
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๏ปฟ๏ปฟGuidance on submission
Not Included
โ Document retrieval costs
โ Authentication/apostille costs
โ Translation costs
โ Government Application fee
Reserve Your Spot
All Inclusive
Full Service Package
$3,500 USD / Adult Applicant
*Example 2 Generations
Includes: Everything from Standard plus:
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Dedicated case manager & attorney oversight
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Full legal support by Italian Legal team
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Full document retrieval & apostilles
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Certified translations & notarizations
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Application prep & submission
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Passport issuance assistance
Add your spouse, children, and grandchlidren under one application flow. Our calculator shows a transparent total for your household. Immediate family only.
Extended family relatives join via the Ambassador Program.
Reserve Your Spot
Most Popular
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Living in Hungary
Everything you need to know about life on the ground once your citizenship is approved.
Country Overview
Capital
Budapest
Population
โ9.6 million (2024)
Language
Hungarian
Currency
Hungarian forint (HUF)
GDP per Capita
โโฌ29,000 (upper-middle in EU)
Time Zone
CET/CEST
Passport Mobility
Global Ranking
Top-tier EU passport (passport power rank ~4โ7)
Visa-free destinations
170+ countries
EU Work Rights
Full right to live and work across the EU/EEA + Switzerland
Schengen Access
Schengen member; easy regional travel
Quality of Life
Global Peace Index
Very high human development (HDI โ 0.87)
Happiness Report
Mid-50s globally
Life Expectancy
โ77 years
Culture
Rich cafรฉ, bathhouse, wine & classical music culture
Global Mobility
Hungary offers EU citizenship plus a strategic Central-European base.
Strategic location
Budapest sits within a few hours' flight of most European capitals.
Good rail links to Vienna, Bratislava, Prague and the Balkans.
Budapest airport is a growing hub for low-cost and legacy carriers.
EU & Schengen freedoms
As a Hungarian citizen you can live, work and study across the EU.
Schengen membership provides frictionless land and air travel in much of Europe.
Everyday mobility
Budapest has extensive metro, tram and bus networks.
Regional cities are smaller and more car-dependent but still walkable.
Healthcare System
Hungary combines universal healthcare with competitive costs and a growing reputation in medical tourism.
System overview
Public healthcare funded through mandatory social contributions.
Hospitals and clinics provide broad coverage, with strengths in dentistry and elective procedures.
Private clinics offer faster service and English-speaking staff in Budapest and major cities.
For expats & dual citizens
Employees and entrepreneurs usually pay into the national system and receive coverage.
EU citizens visiting short-term can often rely on the EHIC / GHIC framework.
Private health insurance is inexpensive compared with Western Europe or the US.
Tax System
Hungary mixes a very low corporate tax rate with a flat personal income tax and high VAT.
Personal income tax
Flat 15% personal income tax on most earnings for residents and non-residents.
Additional social security contributions apply to salaries and self-employment income.
Various exemptions and allowances for families and some age groups.
Consumption taxes
Standard VAT rate of 27% โ the highest in the EU โ on most goods and services.
Reduced VAT rates (18% and 5%) on essentials such as some foods, books and certain services.
Cost of Living
Hungary offers relatively low day-to-day costs, especially outside the tourist core of Budapest.
Housing & expenses
Rents in Budapest remain well below London or Paris but have risen sharply in recent years.
Regional cities such as Debrecen, Pรฉcs and Szeged are significantly cheaper.
Groceries, local transport and dining out are generally affordable for euro or dollar earners.
Economic context
Recent years have seen high inflation and currency volatility, which can affect real purchasing power.
For remote workers earning in stronger currencies, Hungary can still represent strong value.
Climate & Seasons
Hungary has a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters.
Seasonal overview
Summers (JuneโAugust) are often hot and sunny, with temperatures frequently 28โ35ยฐC.
Winters can be cold with freezing temperatures and occasional snow.
Spring and autumn are mild and often the most pleasant seasons to explore cities and wine regions.
Regional notes
Budapest and the central plain can feel very hot in mid-summer.
Lake Balaton region has slightly milder winters and is a major summer destination.
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