Hungary citizenship test: format, requirements and practice quiz
Hungary has an official citizenship knowledge test. This page explains the test format and the naturalisation rules, links to the official source, and offers a free 21-question practice quiz on the content areas it covers. The quiz is not the official exam.
Start practising
Is there an official Hungary citizenship test? Yes. The format, who must take it, exemptions and the official source are summarised below. The quiz on this page is an independent practice quiz on the same content areas and is not linked to any official process.
The Hungary citizenship test and how naturalisation works
Last reviewed: October 22, 2026 · Checked against the official source linked on this page.
Hungary has a citizenship exam. Ordinary naturalisation under section 4(1)(e) of Act LV of 1993 requires passing the alkotmányos alapismeretek (constitutional basics) exam, held in Hungarian by the Budapest Capital Government Office at Váci út 174 and by county government offices.
Format
The exam has a written paper of one hour (09:00–10:00) followed by an oral exam from 10:00, with at most 25 candidates per date. Both parts are marked pass or fail (megfelelt / nem felelt meg) and both must be passed; no numeric pass mark or pass rate is published. If you fail one part you can retake that part on a later date and keep the part you passed. The syllabus is the book Alkotmányos alapismeretek by Mária Ugróczky (9th edition, 2024, about 4,600 HUF), which covers the Fundamental Law, the organs of the state, fundamental rights, Hungarian history and the national symbols. The Government Office runs free one-day preparation sessions.
Fee
The fee is set at 50% of the monthly minimum wage, so it rises every January: 145,400 HUF in 2025, with a retake of one part costing 72,700 HUF, paid by postal cheque.
Exemptions
Section 4/A exempts people who are 60 or over when they apply (many websites say 65; the Act says 60), people with limited or no legal capacity, and anyone holding a diploma from a Hungarian-language school or higher-education institution. Applicants on the preferential routes — Hungarian ancestry, or a marriage of ten years (five with a child) — do not sit the exam but must demonstrate Hungarian when they file.
Residence and decision
Ordinary naturalisation requires eight years of residence; three years for spouses married at least three years, parents of Hungarian minors, recognised refugees and stateless persons; and five years for people born in Hungary or settled as minors. The application is lodged at a Government Office and is reported to be free of charge, although translation costs are significant. The President of the Republic decides on the minister’s proposal, usually within six to eighteen months, and the decision cannot be appealed; citizenship is acquired at the oath, which must be taken within a year of the summons.
Dual citizenship
Hungary allows dual citizenship. Since 30 June 2025, however, the Fifteenth Amendment to the Fundamental Law and sections 9/A–9/E of the Act allow the suspension of citizenship for up to ten years for naturalised citizens who also hold the nationality of a non-EEA state.
Our questions are written in English on the syllabus areas — the Fundamental Law, state organs, history and symbols — so that you know the content; the real exam is in Hungarian.
| Official citizenship test | Yes: Alkotmányos alapismeretek vizsga – the Constitutional Basics Exam, held by the Budapest Capital Government Office. See the format and official source below. |
|---|---|
| How naturalisation works | A written paper of one hour (09:00–10:00) followed by an oral exam, both in Hungarian, at the Budapest Capital Government Office (or county government offices); both parts must be passed and no numeric pass mark is published. Up to 25 candidates per date. The syllabus is the book Alkotmányos alapismeretek by Mária Ugróczky (9th edition, 2024): the Fundamental Law, state organs, rights, history and national symbols. Fee 145,400 HUF in 2025 (50% of the monthly minimum wage, indexed yearly); retaking one failed part costs half. |
| Language requirement | Hungarian. There is no separate language exam for ordinary naturalisation, but the written and oral exam are in Hungarian. Applicants under the preferential routes (ancestry, long marriage) do not sit the exam but must demonstrate Hungarian at filing. |
| Who it applies to | Applicants for ordinary naturalisation under section 4(1) of Act LV of 1993: 8 years of residence in general; 3 years for spouses married at least 3 years, parents of Hungarian minors, recognised refugees and stateless persons; 5 years for people born in Hungary or settled as minors. |
| Exemptions | People aged 60 or over at application, people with limited or no legal capacity, and holders of a diploma from a Hungarian-language school or institution. Preferential (simplified) applicants with Hungarian ancestry or a long marriage do not sit the exam but must speak Hungarian. Hungary allows dual citizenship, though since June 2025 citizenship can be suspended for up to 10 years for naturalised dual nationals of non-EEA states. |
Content areas in the official test (and in this quiz)
- Constitution and governmentHead of state, parliament, courts and the constitution.7 questions
- History and national symbolsIndependence, key dates, flag, anthem and other national symbols.9 questions
- Geography and societyCapital, geography, languages, currency and public holidays.5 questions
- Naturalisation rulesWhat the law requires for citizenship: residence, language, tests, fees and dual nationality.0 questions
Sample questions
Answer: The Fundamental Law (Alaptörvény). Adopted on 25 April 2011 and in force since 1 January 2012.
Answer: 15. Article 24: fifteen members elected by Parliament for twelve years.
Answer: The forint. Hungary uses the forint (HUF) and has not adopted the euro.
How to prepare
Buy the official syllabus, Alkotmányos alapismeretek by Mária Ugróczky (2024 edition) – both exam parts are set from it.
Attend the Government Office's free preparation day and practise answering aloud in Hungarian for the oral part.
Learn the Fundamental Law of 2011: the 199-seat National Assembly, the President's election by Parliament and the 15-judge Constitutional Court come up repeatedly.
Hungary citizenship FAQ
Is there a citizenship test in Hungary?
Yes. Ordinary naturalisation requires passing the alkotmányos alapismeretek (constitutional basics) exam in Hungarian – a one-hour written paper followed by an oral exam at the Budapest Capital Government Office or a county government office.
How much does the Hungarian citizenship exam cost?
145,400 HUF in 2025, set at 50% of the monthly minimum wage so it rises each year; a retake of one failed part costs 72,700 HUF. The Government Office runs free one-day preparation sessions.
Who is exempt from the Hungarian constitutional exam?
People aged 60 or over, people with limited or no legal capacity, and anyone with a diploma from a Hungarian-language school. Applicants under the simplified route for ethnic Hungarians do not sit it but must speak Hungarian.
How long must I live in Hungary to apply for citizenship?
Eight years in general; three years for spouses married at least three years, parents of Hungarian children, refugees and stateless persons; five years if born in Hungary or settled as a minor.
Who decides Hungarian citizenship, and can I appeal?
The President of the Republic decides on the minister's proposal; the decision is not an administrative act and cannot be appealed. Since June 2025 citizenship can also be suspended for up to 10 years for naturalised dual nationals of non-EEA countries.