Preferential Treatment Law (Status Law)
The legislation on Hungarians living in neighbouring countries was adopted in 2001. The primary aim of the Act was to express that all Hungarians living abroad belong to the Hungarian nation, to promote prosperity in one’s native land, and to help all Hungarians to preserve their sense of national identity. The novelty of the Act was the institutionalisation of the relationship and the establishment of a legal relationship between the Hungarian state and the Hungarian individual living beyond the border. Based on this Act, Hungarians living in neighbouring countries can apply for a Certificate of Hungarian Nationality which entitles them to benefits (education, travel, etc.). More than one million people have applied for Certificates of Hungarian Nationality since 2002. Since 2018, in addition to citizenship the Certificate of Hungarian Nationality has been used to apply for the baby bond and maternity allowance in countries that do not recognise dual citizenship. The Status Law has sparked an intense debate in Hungarian public life on the concept of the nation, the definition of the circle of beneficiaries and respective subsidies. The dispute with neighbouring states has brought the Act to the focus of international spotlight. Many states have status or benefit laws similar to that of Hungary.