The Hungarian citizenship suspension proposal, submitted to Parliament this week, has sparked serious concern—especially for those of us with more than one passport. Under the proposed law, authorities could suspend the citizenship of Hungarians who also hold another nationality from outside the EU/EEA or candidate states, if they’re deemed a threat to public order, public security, or national security. It’s a bold move, and one that’s raising a lot of questions for dual citizens, expats, and the broader Hungarian diaspora.
According to the official proposal as reported by Telex, the idea is that Hungarian citizenship could be suspended on national security grounds. While that sounds very “spy thriller,” the actual mechanics and implications are less thrilling.
What Is the Hungarian Citizenship Suspension Proposal?
Here’s the fine print.
The bill, submitted by Fidesz MPs on 2 April 2025, introduces an entirely new legal category in Hungarian law: the temporary suspension of citizenship. It applies only to individuals who hold dual citizenship — but not just any dual citizens. The second nationality must be from outside the EU/EEA or not a recognised EU candidate state. So if you’re Hungarian and also Canadian, American, Russian, or British (post-Brexit), this is about you.
According to the draft law, citizenship can be suspended if the person:
- Has been convicted of serious crimes (e.g. terrorism, treason, genocide, or crimes against humanity)
- Has joined foreign armed forces, intelligence services, or government organisations
- Acts in the interest of a foreign power, especially if hostile to Hungary
- Is part of a terrorist organisation or helps one
- Is deemed a threat to public order, national or public security
The suspension would be decided by a designated minister, not a court, and could last up to ten years. The individual would be informed after the decision, and the ruling must be published in Hungary’s Official Gazette.
They’d lose access to:
- Hungarian passports
- Consular assistance
- Any rights derived from citizenship—such as residing in Hungary
Appeals are possible, but imagine navigating that process from abroad with no consular help.
Why Does the Hungarian Citizenship Suspension Proposal Matter?
Because up until now, Hungarian citizenship could only be revoked in rare cases of fraud. This proposal sidesteps that by creating a new legal grey area. Instead of removing your citizenship permanently, it simply places it on ice.
And as we all know: frozen rights are still lost rights—at least temporarily.
According to the proposal, the National Security Service would carry out assessments, and the Interior Minister would have the final say. This raises concerns about transparency, oversight, and the definition of “national security threats.”
Who Should Pay Attention?
- Dual citizens with non-EU/EEA passports
- Anyone with Hungarian citizenship living abroad
- People working in international organisations or security services
- Individuals outspoken about political matters who worry how “public order” might be interpreted
This isn’t paranoia. It’s bureaucracy with broad language.
Two travellers, two passports—navigating life between nations.
Final Thoughts
For now, it’s just a proposal. But it’s already sparked conversations—on social media, in legal circles, and among the diaspora.
There’s no need to panic—but every reason to stay alert. This law, if passed, could change how Hungarian nationality is understood and used. And it sets a precedent that other governments could follow.
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Anikó Woods is a Canadian-Hungarian writer, technology specialist, and digital strategist who swapped Toronto traffic for Hungarian bureaucracy. She’s the creator of HOW TO HUNGARY: Budapest & Beyond. Since moving to Hungary in 2017, she’s been deep in the paperwork trenches—fact-checking, interviewing experts, and helping others make sense of the madness. Her writing turns chaos into clarity, with a few laughs (and wine recommendations) along the way.