All about becoming a Hungarian citizen

Advent is the period of 4 weeks leading up to Christmas. Since Hungary is culturally mostly Christian, traditions related to Advent and Christmas are obvious in public spaces all over the country. Let’s take a look at them!

I still remember standing in another long airport queue, watching my European colleagues breeze through the “EU Citizens” line while I shuffled forward with my Canadian passport. That’s when it hit me – my Hungarian roots weren’t just sentimental; they could make travel so much easier. Today, with my Hungarian passport, I finally enjoy the freedom and Hungarian Passport Perks that come with belonging. — Guest post by Anikó Woods of How to Hungary.

Buying a house in Hungary can be surprisingly straightforward but not without a few challenges. When my husband and I arrived in Budapest, one of the first things we wanted to do was find our own apartment. As a dual citizen, I could skip certain steps, but I still had plenty to learn. From finding listings online to finalising the sale with a lawyer (and no agent in sight), here’s what the process really looked like. — Guest post by Anikó Woods of How to Hungary.

October 23 is one of the most important public holidays in Hungary. It commemorates the 1956 revolution that was a key moment of Hungarian history in the 20th century, creating a lasting impact on the nation, and becoming a symbol of the fight for freedom.

The Hungarian citizenship process is rarely straightforward. For me, it wasn’t just paperwork, it was a test of patience and persistence – and, if I’m honest, identity too. I’d always thought of myself as Hungarian; both my parents were, and my name, Anikó, left little doubt. But turning that into something official meant wading through Hungarian bureaucracy, tripping over missing documents, and learning on the fly. This is the story of how I finally made it official, and why I don’t regret a single step. – Guest post by Anikó Woods of How to Hungary.