It's the most mythologized and often the most dreaded part of the citizenship process. But I believe you CAN find a way to enjoy the Hungarian language interview.
There are dozens of online forums, social media threads and YouTube videos, discussing the Hungarian-language interview that is required as part of the Simplified Naturalization Procedure. And, there is little concensus about it.
Some people tell you that embassy officials will try to trick you, by asking random things like "What color are the walls of this room?" in the middle of the interview. Other people tell you they only spoke a few basic sentences and passed easily. It seems that there are many different experiences around the interview.
I can only offer my own experience here. Everyone's is different. But I hope my contribution to the conversation can help.
In future posts, I'll share some practical tips and mindset practices for you to navigate the interview, so YOU can have the best possible experience, no matter what you encounter on the day.
Hungary's more personal approach to citizenship: viewing the dreaded interview in a more positive light.
Many other countries have written citizenship tests, in which the applicant must answer a series of questions about civics and history. The applicant must know about the country.
But for Hungarian citizenship, the country wants to know about the applicant. Yes, you need to know about Hungarian history and culture, and be ready to answer questions about these things. But also, be ready to talk about yourself!
The Simplified Naturalization application (linked here) includes a blank page to write your personal biography.
The Hungarian government wants to know about you--not only the dates and locations where you and your ancestors were born, but also your hobbies and what your family is like. It's much more personal than other nations' citizenship processes.
So with that positive framing in mind, here is the story of my interview. Or rather, interviews. (Yes, I had two!)
Part 1: Budapest
One opinion circulating in our rather niche community of Hungarian Citizenship Seekers, is that it's best to submit the application and do your interview in Hungary itself.
The perceived wisdom is that the government officials in Hungary will be too busy to spend a lot of time with you. They'll just ask a few cursory questions, and put your application through.
Well... that was sort of true for me. But the story is much more complicated.
In August of 2021, I decided to submit my application in Hungary for a couple of reasons. First of all, I was travelling to Hungary to get to know the country better anyway, so felt I might was well submit the application whilst there.
And yes, I admit, I was hoping it would be a bit easier.
With the help of consultants at Helpers Hungary, I got an appointment at a kormányablak (literal translation is government window) in Budapest. This type of government office handles all types administration for people living in Hungary.
Processing a Simplified Naturalization Application is, I believe, a rare occurance for most kormányablakak. So, it is correct, that my there interview was not very rigorous.
A funny side note: there was heavy construction going on just ouside the building, so I had to ask the young man processing my application to repeat himself several times. It was true that it was difficult to hear, but also, the construction did give me an excuse to listen to the Hungarian language questions twice, to help me understand better. Nem hallom became my saving catchphrase! :-)
I had written my biography before going to the kormanyablak but the official did ask me write it again in front of him. He asked to verify my birthdate, and my great-grandmother's, as well as a few other dates. He double checked that my parents were married when I was born, which seemed important to the process.
I left the kormányablak elated! Sikeres volt! (It was successful!) I told everyone. I celebrated that afternoon with a huge plate of töltött káposzta and that night with friends and pálinka.
I went back to the US, knowing I'd have to wait several months for an answer. 3 - 6 months was the estimate.
Then on October 25th (my birthday!) I checked my email to find a note from the Hungarian Embassy in Washington DC. The language was complicated and the email was long....
I slowly worked through the text and understood they were requesting some more information for my application, notably, the long version of my birth certificate with my parents' birth locations listed as well. (Not all US states have a long and short version of birth certificates, but Pennsylvania does, and I had submitted the short version, which was unacceptable.)
The email also specified that I was required to present my translated birth certificate, in person, at the Washington DC Embassy, where... you guessed it:
I would have another assessment of my Hungarian language ability....
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