Legal aspects of foreign marriages in Hungary

Civil Family 2020-09-03

Getting married abroad is becoming ever more common – as a result of the globalized world, people are becoming more and more mobile, and they also get to know a lot more people from different nations. Nowadays international couples are very common, but they also have to choose a place to live: which country are they going to make their home? What happens if a Hungarian citizen marries a non-Hungarian?

Civil marriage or just a ceremony?

Naturally, couples who wish to be wed abroad, but also want to be officially recognized as husband and wife in Hungary have all right to do so. In this case, they can arrange for the official wedding in Hungary, and organize a non-official ceremony at the location of their choosing. This option is very convenient, as the couple will automatically be registered as spouses in Hungary.

The other option is to arrange the official civil wedding outside of Hungary, in which case the marriage needs to be nationalized in Hungary as well. This of course results in quite some paperwork.

Most legislation expect the spouses to prove that their marriage is officially recognized by their own country of origin. This means that the spouses need to meet the legal requirements of their own legislation (e.g. the spouses are of legal age, none of them are already wed to someone else tc.). Additionally, to be nationalized in Hungary, the spouses need an official nuptial declaration issued by the competent registry office, as well as valid identification documents, passports and birth certificates. The birth certificates also have to be officially translated to Hungarian.

Nationalization of the marriage

In case a Hungarian citizen gets married abroad, the Hungarian spouse is obliged to nationalize his/her marriage in Hungary. It is also recommended to go through the nationalization process even if the couple decides to live abroad: in case any one of them wishes to move to Hungary in the future, the nationalized marriage will make the necessary administration a lot simpler and faster.

The nationalization of the marriages comes with an array of administrative tasks (including the preparation of the rather long and tedious nuptial forms). The couple also has to decide about their nuptial names and the surnames of any future children. Proof of the Hungarian spouse’s nationality (e.g. passport, ID documents), an official translated copy of the birth- and nuptial certificate also needs to be provided, along with any necessary authorization (e.g. notarization, Apostille, diplomatic countersignature etc.) which differs by country. Moreover, in case any of the spouses has already been wed before, proof of termination of the previous marriage also needs to be provided (e.g. divorce or death certificate etc.).

Further legal aspects of marriages

The obligation to nationalize a foreign marriage is only one of many aspects that needs to be considered when a Hungarian citizen decides to marry abroad. According to the Hungarian law, the validity of the marriage depends on whether it meets the legal requirements of the legislation where the wedding took place. In Hungary, such legal requirements include that the couple needs to personally appear before the nuptial registrar, and they also personally have to declare that they wish to be wed.

Naturally, if a Hungarian citizen wishes to wed abroad, careful examination and research of the local legislation is crucial: it can result in a lot of headache if the validity – or even the existence – of the marriage is disproved years later.

In case the spouses are of different nationalities, in order for the marriage to be valid they each have to meet the legal requirements of their respective legislation. It is no longer an option to ’escape’ an unwary marriage by moving to another country and getting wed to a different person there.

Further aspects of international marriages are soon to be discussed in our future article. Stay tuned!

In the event you need legal help regarding international marriage or other cases regarding family law, do not hesitate to contact us!

Olvassa el szakmai blogunk bejegyzéseit

Szakmai blogunkban gyakran előforduló jogi eseteinkbe engedünk bepillantást

Megnézem az összes bejegyzést

Wekerle Plus: Better than Otthon Start?

Real estate 2026-10-28

When buying a property, the amount of credit available is not the only factor that matters. It is equally important to understand the conditions and long-term commitments involved. The new Wekerle Plus scheme may offer an opportunity for first-time homebuyers, but there are several important details to clarify before applying.

Owning a home is a long-term goal for many people, often requiring substantial savings or a mortgage. Launched on October 28, 2026, the Wekerle Plus home loan scheme may help eligible applicants purchase their own property through preferential interest rates. However, the scheme is not simply a financial opportunity: applicants must also consider the eligibility requirements and the obligations they will be expected to fulfil in the years ahead.

Tovább olvasom

Divorce and a Family Business: How Does the Division of Marital Assets Affect Business Ownership?

Családjogi 2026-10-13

Divorce can raise significant questions not only in personal life but also regarding the future of a business. This is particularly true when one spouse owns a company or when the spouses have built a business together during their marriage. In such cases, an important question arises: if the company is registered in only one spouse’s name, can the other spouse claim a share of its value?

The answer depends on several factors, including when and how the business interest was acquired, the period during which the spouses’ marital community of property existed, and whether joint marital assets were used to finance the business.

Tovább olvasom

Which Legal Arrangement Allows the Acquisition of Real Estate at the Most Favorable Transfer Tax Cost?

Real estate 2026-10-02

When transferring a high-value property, the key question is not only under which legal title the property can be acquired, but also what tax or duty consequences arise from the chosen legal arrangement. This is particularly relevant where the acquirer does not fall within the scope of persons exempt from inheritance or gift duty. This raises an important question: which legal arrangement – inheritance, gift, maintenance agreement, inheritance contract or trust – may result in the lowest duty burden?

Notice: This article does not constitute legal advisory services, and does not necessarily match the interpretation of the applicable laws by the authorities. This article is for general information only.

Tovább olvasom

Our Expert Partner for the Investigation of IT Incidents and Digital Devices: Biztonság Akadémia (Security Academy)

IT 2026-09-18

In today’s modern legal environment, the documented and professional examination of digital evidence, as well as the protection of devices and user accounts, has become increasingly important in legal disputes and proceedings.

Our firm’s cooperating partner in this field is Biztonság Akadémia Kft.

The professional expertise of our partner is provided by Tamás Durmics, an independent IT security expert and ethical hacker with more than 25 years of experience in information technology and security. His work focuses on documented and independent examination methodologies, as well as on presenting technical findings in a clear and comprehensible manner suitable for use in legal proceedings.

Tovább olvasom

Inheritance Without a Will: Who Gets the Property If There Is No Written Expression of Intent?

Internet 2026-08-28

One of the most common situations giving rise to the greatest number of conflicts during probate proceedings is when the deceased dies without making a testamentary disposition. In such cases, the fate of the assets and debts is determined by the statutory order of succession under the Hungarian Civil Code. Although the rules are clear, a significant proportion of clients are not aware of the more important changes introduced by the Civil Code currently in force, particularly with regard to the rights of the surviving spouse or the extent of the compulsory share.

Tovább olvasom