Who Is Eligible for Hungarian Citizenship?

Hungary is one of the most sought–after countries for obtaining European citizenship. With a Hungarian passport, you can enjoy full rights of EU citizens – freedom of movement, work, and study opportunities throughout Europe, access to top universities, healthcare, and business advantages.

But who is actually eligible? There are two main routes: citizenship by heritage and citizenship by naturalization.

Citizenship by Heritage (Ancestry)

If one of your parents, grandparents, or even great–grandparents was born in Hungary – you may be eligible for citizenship by heritage.

However, there is an important distinction:

• If your ancestor was born in today’s Hungary (within the current borders), and lived in Hungary after 1929, you likely qualify through the heritage route.

• If your ancestor was born in the territories of “Greater Hungary” (areas that are now part of Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine, Serbia, etc.), then the path may require naturalization instead, and you will usually need to pass a Hungarian language exam.

The heritage path is considered the most straightforward and efficient option, as it does not require a language test and can include your children under the same application.

Citizenship by Naturalization

If your family roots go back to Greater Hungary, or if your ancestor left Hungary before 1929, you may need to apply through the naturalization process.

This track requires:

• Proof of Hungarian origin.

• Passing a Hungarian language exam (usually conversational level, 10–15 minutes).

• Submitting a complete application with official documents.

Although more demanding, many applicants succeed with the right professional support.

Why Work with EuroWise?

Even if you believe that the right path for you is naturalization – it is highly recommended to speak with us first. The EuroWise team will thoroughly review your family story, and you may discover that you are actually eligible through the heritage route – which allows obtaining citizenship in a faster and simpler way.

Thousands have already received Hungarian citizenship in recent years with our close guidance.

👉 Contact us today for a free initial eligibility check – and find out if you too qualify for a European passport.