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Government Decree No. 125/1993 (IX. 22.) Korm.

Government Decree No. 125/1993 is the implementing regulation for Act LV of 1993. Where Act LV establishes the legal framework for citizenship, this Decree sets out the procedural mechanics: how applications are submitted, what documents are required in what form, who handles what, and how the process flows administratively.

What the Decree Covers​

Competent Authorities​

The Decree defines which authorities have jurisdiction over citizenship matters:

  • Consulates and embassies — accept applications from Hungarian citizens and applicants residing abroad
  • Kormányablak offices — accept applications within Hungary
  • Office of Immigration and Asylum (now under the Ministry of Interior) — processes applications centrally in Budapest

This multi-authority structure is why applications submitted at a consulate in Los Angeles are ultimately decided by an office in Budapest, and why communication between the two can be slow.

Document Requirements​

The Decree specifies the formal requirements for documents submitted with citizenship applications:

  • Documents must be official certified copies (hiteles másolat), not originals or photocopies
  • Foreign documents must generally be accompanied by a certified Hungarian translation
  • Documents may require an apostille or consular legalization depending on the country of origin and the Hague Convention status of that country

These requirements are the practical basis for the document standards discussed throughout this knowledge base.

Submission Procedure​

The Decree establishes how applications are submitted and processed:

  • The applicant submits a petition in the prescribed form along with supporting documents
  • The receiving authority (consulate or kormányablak) forwards the complete file to Budapest for decision
  • The Budapest office evaluates the application and issues the decision
  • The decision is communicated back through the consulate

This central processing explains why there are no status updates during processing — the consulate does not make the decision and typically has limited visibility into where a specific application stands.

The Application Form​

The Decree prescribes the form to be used for each type of application:

  • Simplified naturalization: the honosítási kérelem form
  • Verification: the állampolgárság igazolása form

These forms are in Hungarian. Consulates provide them and can assist with completion at the appointment.

Timelines​

The Decree sets administrative timelines for processing. In practice, actual processing times — driven by the volume of applications in Budapest — frequently exceed the formal regulatory periods. Community experience of 6–18 months reflects real-world processing, not the timelines specified in the Decree.

Relationship to Act LV​

Act LV answers the question "who is entitled to citizenship and under what conditions." The Decree answers "how does the process actually work." Both are necessary to understand the full picture.

For applicants, the Decree's practical impact is felt in the document requirements and the submission process — the areas where consulate-specific guidance and community experience matter most.

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Government Decree No. 125/1993 has been amended multiple times. Always verify current requirements directly with the consulate handling your application, as procedural details may have changed since any version of the Decree you read.