Russians Flee for EU Passports: Hungary Hits Record High in Citizenship Grants

The number of Russians naturalized has doubled compared to pre-war years.

Russians Granted Hungarian Citizenship at Record Pace

Hungary has recorded a sharp increase in Russian nationals obtaining Hungarian citizenship. reaching the highest figure in a decade, according to Hungarian newspaper Népszava.

Russian Applicants Double Since War Began

In 2023 alone, 138 Russian citizens received Hungarian passports. a figure that is twice as high as before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

This marks a significant shift in citizenship trends in Hungary.

Ukrainians Drop Off As Russians Move Up

While more Russians are becoming Hungarian citizens, the number of Ukrainians doing the same has dropped sharply.

Compared to a decade ago, only half as many Ukrainians now seek Hungarian passports, despite millions of Ukrainians taking refuge in the EU.

Russians Now in Hungary’s Top Three for New Citizens

Russians ranked third in 2023 among the largest groups receiving Hungarian citizenship.

Historically, the top applicants were ethnic Hungarians from Romania or Slovakia. a trend consistent since 2019.

The recent jump in Russian approvals marks a major change.

Russians Gaining Ground Across the EU

Hungary isn’t the only EU country seeing more Russian passport holders.

Russians are now among the top three nationalities gaining citizenship in several member states, including Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Greece, Poland, and Romania.

Letonia Stands Apart in the Ukraine-Russia Trend

Latvia is one of the few EU countries where both Ukrainian and Russian citizenship applicants have risen.

In contrast, Hungary’s trend is unique: rising Russian interest and falling Ukrainian applications.

Where Do Hungarians Go?

While Russians come in, Hungarians continue to go west. In 2023, 2,105 Hungarians received German citizenship, the highest number.

Sweden (531) and Switzerland (383) followed, showing that migration patterns remain firmly pointed toward wealthier Western nations.

Hundreds of Hungarians Head for Austria, Belgium, and Beyond

In addition to Germany, significant numbers of Hungarians became citizens of Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Norway.

According to Népszava, this reflects a desire to relocate to what it calls “the declining West.”