Hungary Merit CitizenshipDiscretionary Hungarian citizenship under Section 4(7) of Act LV of 1993 on Hungarian Citizenship.
Legal Basis
Hungarian citizenship by merit route (often referred to as naturalisation by important national interest under Section 4(7) of Act LV of 1993 on Hungarian Citizenship) allows the President of Hungary to exempt standard requirements — such as residency, language/cultural exams, and proof of housing, — if it serves a vital national interest to Republic of Hungary.
Applications are considered on case by case basis. Applicants may propose significant philantropic charity contribution or specific capital investment.
Who May Qualify
- prominent figures
- Researchers and scientists
- high-level athletes, cultural icons
- Entrepreneurs making a direct strategic contribution to Hungary’s economy
Advantages
- Fast tracked citizenship
- Residence and naturalization conditions waived
- Applications evaluated case by case basis.
- Provision to include family members.
- No military service required.
- Keep your existing citizenship
Requirements
- Must have excellent background and references.
- A clean criminal record under Hungarian law with no pending criminal proceedings before a Hungarian court.
- Pass all public and national security checks. (Prove no threat to the state)
Key Facts
- Decided by: President of the Republic, on ministerial proposal
- Processing time: Case by case
- Residence: Residence and naturalization conditions waived
- Family: Family members can be included
About Hungary
Hungary is a Central European EU, Schengen and NATO member, bordered by Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. Budapest is one of Europe’s great capitals.
Hungary has a competitive tax system, including one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the EU, and a strong automotive and manufacturing base.
- EU and Schengen member
- 9% corporate tax — among the lowest in the EU
- Budapest — culture and business hub
- Central European logistics location
Citizenship by merit is discretionary: there is no fixed price or investment threshold, and every case is decided individually. See all citizenship by merit countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a philanthropic charity contribution?
You can propose in the application. Applications are considered case by case.
How much is the minimum investment required?
No specific minimum is mentioned in the law.
Do i need to engage services of lawyer?
Yes, a Hungarian lawyer is required.
How are applications processed?
The application requires a formal submission and sponsorship from the minister of citizenship affairs before it reaches the President for a final decision. Merit based Citizenships are rare and not guaranteed. The Hungarian government makes a final decision.
Source: Act LV of 1993 on Hungarian Citizenship – National Legislation Database (njt.jog.gov.hu).
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