Fraternity-Testvériség, 2002 (80. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2002-04-01 / 2. szám
FRATERNITY Page 17 Regaining Hungarian Citizenship by Leslie L. Megyeri Attorney-at-Law The U.S. Government recognizes that dual citizenship exists so one may be a citizen of both Hungary and the United States. However, dual citizens owe allegiance to both the U.S. and Hungary, and they are required to obey the laws of both countries. Use of the Hungarian passport does not endanger U.S. citizenship. Thus, Hungarian citizenship is allowed after U.S. naturalization. Since February 15, 1977, a Canadian citizen may apply for Hungarian citizenship. Thus, the present law makes it possible to have Hungarian and Canadian citizenships and hold allegiances to both countries at the same time. No American citizen can lose his citizenship by undertaking the responsibilities of citizenship in Hungary. This is true even if swearing allegiance to Hungary, voting in Hungary’s elections, serving in the Honvéd, running for office, and if successful, serving. A similar situation applies to dual Cana- dian-Hungarian citizens. To obtain Hungarian citizenship, one must apply for a Hungarian passport. The Hungarian government does not consider overseas Hungarians as her citizens unless they have a passport validating their status. To obtain a passport, one must apply to the Hungarian Embassy in Canada or the U.S. The Hungarian consular officer requires that the applicant prove Hungarian lineage by the birth certificate of the applicant, birth certificates of both parents and their marriage certificates. After submission of these documents with a fee of less that $ 100, the consular officer will evaluate the documents and issue a passport in about six months. After receiving a passport, the Hungarian citizen may live in Hungary indefinitely after applying for a residency permit in Hungary from the local authorities. Such residency will not jeopardize one’s dual citizenship. The advantages of Hungarian citizenship are numerous especially in the light of the near future when Hungary is admitted to the European Union. Eventually, a European Union passport may also be obtained. The 19 Counties of Hungary1 Administrative Divisions Population Main City Population Bács-Kiskun 531,000 Kecskemét 105,464 Baranya 401,000 Pécs 158,607 Békés 392,000 Békéscsaba 63,958 Borsod-Abauj-Zemplén 729,000 Miskolc 173,639 Budapest1 1,838,753 Budapest 1,838,753 Csongrad 418,000 Szeged 159,130 Féjer 426,000 Székesfehérvár 105,290 Győr-Moson-Sopron 424,000 Győr 127,280 Hajdu-Bihar 542,000 Debrecen 205,030 Heves 323,000 Eger 57,890 Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok 411,000 Szolnok 76,880 Komárom 309,000 Tatabánya 72,050 Nógrád 216,000 Salgótarján 44,400 Pest 1,032,000 Budapest-Pest 1,838,753 Somogy 330,000 Kaposvár 66,830 Szabolcs 569,000 Nyíregyháza 112,890 Tolna 244,000 Szekszárd 35,360 Vas 266,000 Szombathely 82,070 Veszprém 373,000 Veszprém 62,630 Zala 293,000 Zalaegerszeg 61,030 1 Budapest has 22 districts, and foreign real estate purchasers must get permission from the district authority in which the property is located. Source: Hungary: Factbook 2000 V______________________________________J '
