Can Children or Grandchildren Claim Hungarian Citizenship Through a Naturalized Ancestor?

One of the most common misconceptions about Hungarian citizenship is the belief that once a parent or grandparent becomes Hungarian, all descendants are automatically citizens. The truth depends on how the ancestor became Hungarian: by verification of citizenship or by simplified naturalization.

Verification of Citizenship (Állampolgársági Igazolás)

Verification is used when an ancestor (parent, grandparent, great-grandparent) was a Hungarian citizen at the time of the child’s birth.

• If your parent was Hungarian when you were born, you are Hungarian by birth.

• If your grandparent was Hungarian when your parent was born, then your parent is Hungarian, and so are you.

• In these cases, you are already Hungarian by law, and you simply apply for verification (állampolgársági igazolás).

Key benefits:

• No Hungarian language requirement.

• Citizenship flows automatically to children and grandchildren, even if they were already born.

• Once verified, you and your descendants are recognized as Hungarian citizens for life.

Consular confirmation:

“Verification of Hungarian citizenship is not naturalization. It is a process of confirming a citizenship which already exists by law. No language test is required.”
— Hungarian Consulate New York

Simplified Naturalization (Egyszerűsített Honosítás)

If the citizenship chain was broken (for example, your ancestor emigrated before 1929, naturalized abroad, or a Hungarian woman married a foreigner before 1957), then you are not Hungarian by birth.

In this case, the only option is simplified naturalization.

Key requirements:

• You must prove Hungarian ancestry.

• You must demonstrate conversational Hungarian in an interview.

• Citizenship is granted from the date of approval — not retroactively.

Consular warning:

“When applying for Hungarian citizenship in the simplified naturalization procedure, one of the basic legal requirements is to understand and communicate in Hungarian language on a sufficient level … In case your command of Hungarian language does not reach a sufficient level, you cannot expect a positive decision.”
— Hungarian Embassy Washington DC – Simplified Naturalization

The Critical Difference for Children and Grandchildren

• Verification: If you gain recognition by verification, your children and grandchildren are also Hungarian, even if they were already born. They only need to apply for their own verification. No Hungarian test required.

• Naturalization: If you become Hungarian by naturalization at age 78 (or at any age), your children and grandchildren who were already born do not automatically become Hungarian. Only children born after your naturalization date are considered Hungarian by birth.

This means grandchildren cannot “claim off” a naturalized ancestor. They must apply individually through simplified naturalization — and must speak Hungarian.

Bottom Line

• Verification of citizenship: Descendants are Hungarian automatically, regardless of age. No Hungarian language requirement.

• Simplified naturalization: Citizenship starts with you. Already-born children and grandchildren are not included. Each must naturalize individually — Hungarian language required.

The confusion arises because both processes involve ancestry, but only verification recognizes citizenship as already existing in the bloodline. Naturalization, by contrast, is a fresh grant — and it doesn’t backdate.