Yes. Hungary allows dual and multiple citizenship, and it does not ask you to give up your current nationality when you become Hungarian. The one point to check is the law on the other side, because whether you keep your existing citizenship depends on your home country rather than on Hungary. Here is how dual citizenship with Hungary works and what to check before you apply.
Does Hungary allow dual citizenship?
Hungary lets its citizens hold one or more other nationalities at the same time. If you naturalise as Hungarian, you are not required to renounce the citizenship you already have. Hungarian citizens who later acquire another nationality also keep their Hungarian one. From Hungary’s side, dual citizenship is allowed without conditions.
The part that depends on your other country
Dual citizenship takes two countries to agree. Hungary will not make you renounce anything, but your country of origin might. Some countries automatically withdraw citizenship from a person who voluntarily takes on another, while many others let you hold both, including most EU member states, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Before you apply, confirm how your home country treats dual nationality so there are no surprises later.
Here is how some of the most common countries treat holding another nationality alongside Hungarian citizenship:
| Your country | Can you keep it alongside Hungarian citizenship? |
|---|---|
| United States | Yes |
| United Kingdom | Yes |
| Canada | Yes |
| Australia | Yes |
| Ireland | Yes |
| Germany | Yes, since 2024 |
| France | Yes |
| Italy | Yes |
| Israel | Yes |
| Netherlands | Usually no, unless an exception applies |
| South Africa | Yes, but apply to retain it first |
| Austria | Generally no |
| India | No, but it offers the OCI card |
| China | No |
| Japan | No, you must choose one |
This is general guidance and the rules change over time. If your country is not shown, or you are unsure, confirm its current rules before you apply.
How people become dual citizens of Hungary
There are three common routes, and each of them lets you keep your existing nationality.
- By descent (simplified naturalisation): if you have a Hungarian ancestor, you may qualify for citizenship by descent. There is no limit on how many generations back the ancestor is, as long as you can document an unbroken line, and there is no requirement to live in Hungary. Our guide to Hungarian citizenship by descent walks through the eligibility and the documents you need.
- By naturalisation: after eight years of legal residence in Hungary you can apply through standard naturalisation. A shorter period applies in certain cases, such as being born in Hungary or being recognised as a refugee.
- By marriage: the spouse of a Hungarian citizen can apply through simplified naturalisation after ten years of marriage, or after five years if you have a child together.
If you are weighing up which route fits you, our Hungarian citizenship service explains how the application works and how our partner lawyers can help.
What dual citizenship with Hungary gives you
A Hungarian passport is a European Union passport, so it carries the full rights of EU citizenship on top of the nationality you already hold:
- The right to live, work, study, or retire in any EU or EEA country, plus Switzerland.
- Visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to most of the world, including the Schengen Area.
- The ability to pass Hungarian citizenship on to your children.
- Access to public healthcare and education in Hungary on the same terms as other citizens.
Points to keep in mind
- Your home country’s stance comes first. Check whether it allows dual nationality before you apply, since Hungary will not warn you about another country’s rules.
- You may have obligations to both countries. Hungary taxes people based on residence rather than citizenship, but your other country may have its own rules on tax or military service.
- The process runs in Hungarian. The application is completed in Hungarian, and naturalisation applicants are expected to show a basic command of the language. For ancestry-based cases this is usually assessed in an interview rather than a formal exam.
Getting it right for your situation
Dual citizenship is straightforward from Hungary’s side. What decides your case is your ancestry and the documents you can gather, alongside how your home country treats a second nationality. Our partner immigration lawyers can confirm whether you qualify and handle the application from start to finish.
Frequently asked questions
Does Hungary allow dual citizenship?
Yes. Hungary allows dual and multiple citizenship and does not require you to renounce your current nationality when you naturalise as Hungarian. Whether you keep your existing citizenship depends on the laws of your home country.
Do I have to give up my current citizenship to become Hungarian?
No. Hungary does not ask you to renounce another nationality. The only risk of losing your current citizenship comes from your home country’s rules, so check those before you apply.
Can I get Hungarian citizenship by descent and keep my current passport?
Yes. Citizenship by descent is granted through simplified naturalisation, and because Hungary allows dual citizenship you keep the nationality you already hold.
Is a Hungarian passport an EU passport?
Yes. Hungary is an EU member state, so a Hungarian passport carries full European Union citizenship, including the right to live and work anywhere in the EU and EEA.
How long does Hungarian citizenship take?
A simplified naturalisation claim, such as citizenship by descent, usually takes about six to twelve months once your documents are in order. Standard naturalisation follows a longer residence-based path.