What I don't understand is how are they going to make it easier? Currently if you can prove you are related to someone born in Hungary or was born in Hungary in the past (this includes the parts of Hungary that were once Hungary but no longer today) you can become a Hungarian.

Johnny, the difference is that you do not need to live in Hungary permanently in the future when *applying* for the citizenship.
Today you need to move to Hungary, become a certified Hungarian (just not a 'Tom-Tom Hungarian' as myself) and then you can move back to where ever and start to collecting your Hungarian State Pension, as all Hungarian certified citizens have the right to a State Pension.
The limits MSZP obviously is trying to introduce to the KDNP-Fidesz proposal is to take away this possibility and also that you actually need to live inside the Republic Hungary to vote, which means that Tom/Beju cannot vote in the future.

@Johnny
Do not believe anything the Communist MSZP/SZDSZ coalition tries to sell you. The current “Hungarian” government is controlled by Communists and Jews and they have absolutely no interest in the welfare of Hungarians, inside or outside of Hungary’s current political boundaries. It will be best to wait after election and see if Fidesz is better. I believe that Fidesz is going to be better than these bloodsuckers only because anything has to be better than what Hungarians have today.
The decent thing is to extend Hungarian citizenship to all Hungarians and to their descendents. They never stopped being Hungarians because Trianon changed the borders.
Hungarians who escaped Communist oppression are currently Hungarian citizens. All they have to do is apply for a passport and they get one. The only issue is the children of Hungarians who reside outside of Kárpát Medence.
I do not feel that they are entitled to Hungarian citizenship unless they declare themselves Hungarian, feel Hungarian and act Hungarian. It is possible to be Hungarian for some very exceptional children of Hungarians whose parents escaped Communist oppression but it is not for everyone.
In any case, almost any law granting Hungarian citizenship for Hungarians living outside of Hungary would be better than nothing but why compromise with the Communist MSZP/SZDSZ gangsters that have less than 10% support because of all the hard they did to Hungary. Wait a few months and have a decent law.

Wait a few months and have a decent law.
Tom at November 3, 2009 1:29 PM
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I have no problem understanding that you want to keep your voting rights as a Diaspora-Hungarian, but do you really want us, Hungarian TaxPayers pay for all those Hungarian citizens that does not live in Hungary and pay taxes here, come here and fix their health etc, without contributing to the health funds?
Well as you live abroad I assume you would say a selfish YES to that question.
That is exactly what the new Government needs a lot more of people who wants freebies...

@ Viking

I understand the article and the proposed amendments

What is the present law concerning people like me, who never contributed a dime to Hungary's economy (other than tourist dollars) never paid taxes yet hold a Hungarian passport and citizenship?

I certainly hope they have no voting rights or any other rights that would be a burden on the economy.

I always assumed the only right I had was to get a job.

"The bill mainly concerns Serbian ethnic Hungarians because Serbia is not yet a member of the European Union."

So... how will it concern me and others like myself? Will I be able to obtain my Hungarian citizenship? I was born in Novi-Sad (Vojvodina) now Serbia, and I have maintained my mother tongue, and have even taught it to my daughter. I emigrated as a child over 40 years ago to Canada and hold a Canadian passport. I have traveled back "home" many times and visited Hungary at length. I spent money and supported the tourism industry in a small way.
I do NOT agree that if a person were granted Hungarian citizenship, but did not reside in the country,they would not be eligible to vote. Many democratic countries today allow voting for its citizens living abroad. But I DO agree that only taxpayers should have access to social services. Hungary would gain by "new" Hungarians joining in the citizenship, as would we who have been on the fence line outside the borders.
What hoops would ethnic Hungarians have to jump through just because Serbia is not part of the European Union.
I'm glad that this issue is on the political table again, and hope that a decision will be made soon, to the benefit of the Hungarian diaspora.
I hope that common sense will prevail without hysteria.

Klari,

"I do NOT agree that if a person were granted Hungarian citizenship, but did not reside in the country,they would not be eligible to vote. Many democratic countries today allow voting for its citizens living abroad. But I DO agree that only taxpayers should have access to social services."

So you would like to vote a party proposing to raise taxes that other people would have to pay, and provide social services that other people would receive. Does this this fair: representation without taxation?

Just because many democratic countries allow it doesn't mean it's right: especially for a country where potentially 50% of the electorate live elsewhere.

I was 5 years old when I left Hungary during the oppression, in the late 1970's. I have been living in Canada since, and have a desire to return to Hungary and serve as a Pastor and teach esl(english). I wish to have dual citizenship, so I may continue to serve abroad in Canada as well. I have no interest in applying to just get pension (I never want to retire from what I do). I feel in my heart a longing to return home, not for any social services, or voting... just to be accepted home again. I don't need to be lured home, by some incentive by the government. But, it would be good to just have the options. God bless you all!

@Victor
Hungarians in the Carpathian Basin can wait a few more months when the current anti-Hungarian, Communist MSZ/SZDSZ governments gets the boot. Fidesz made many promises regarding citizenship and we will soon find out if their word is any good.
However, none of that should concern you personally because you are a Hungarian citizen. All you have to do is apply for a Hungarian passport and for a few bucks, you get one.
I am not questioning your motives because there is need for people who really want to contribute to Hungarian society. Hungary does not need the vultures that see Hungary as an easy pray to make a quick buck. However, I consider it unfair how easy it is for you to get a Hungarian passport while the Communists deny it to our brothers and sisters in the Carpathian Basin. I hope that it will change soon and all 15 million Hungarians of the Carpathian Basin will be Hungarian citizens with no strings attached.
It is not true that you can get pension simply by becoming a Hungarian citizen. You need to have a work history, similar to the Social Security system in America, as it should be.

It is not true that you can get pension simply by becoming a Hungarian citizen. You need to have a work history, similar to the Social Security system in America, as it should be.
Mark at January 2, 2010 8:27 AM
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So Hungary has no State Pensions?
I do the difference between the part of the pension that all will get, regardless if they worked or not, and the part that you mention now, the work-related.
It is my understanding that there is a State Pension not based on work history.
How would all old wifes who never held an official work, have pension otherwise?
They had, together with their husband, but separately paid, one pension while the husband was alive.
When the husband died, they got an additional supplement (widow's part) on top of their old pension.
This 'guaranteed base level' will definitely not make you fat and assumes you have a very well isolated flat at an extreme low cost.