Hungarian Cultural Knowledge Exam: The first details.
Successfully passing the Hungarian Cultural Knowledge Exam will become a mandatory requirement for applying for a National or EU residence card as of January 1, 2025. In this article, we provide a brief summary of the details we have gathered about the exam, thanks to our personal involvement.
According to official information, no exam sessions have been scheduled for 2025 yet, so we were unable to review specific exam questions. However, based on the recently published study materials for the exam, we attempt to highlight potential questions related to various topics that may arise during the exam.
1) National Symbols and Holidays (National symbols, coat of arms, flag, coronation regalia, national anthem and national song, national holidays). Guiding questions:
- What does the Holy Crown symbolize?
- What do the colors on Hungary's flag represent?
- What are the coronation symbols?
- Who wrote the National Anthem?
- What are Hungary’s most important national holidays?
2) Key Events in Hungarian History (foundation, Hungary in the middle ages and early modern era, reform era, the 1848-49 revolution and war of independence, the Austro-Hungarian Compromise, Hungary in the First and Second World Wars, the 1956 revolution, regime change). Guiding questions:
- When was Hungary founded as a state?
- What was the impact of the Ottoman Empire’s expansion on Hungary?
- Name notable historical figures from the reform era, the revolution, and the period of the Compromise!
- When was the Treaty of Trianon signed?
- How did the communist dictatorship affect Hungary?
3) Literature and Music History (Hungarian music history, Hungarian literature, European literature and music). Guiding questions:
- Who are the prominent figures of Hungarian folk music research?
- Name famous Hungarian composers!
- Name notable poets and writers from the various periods of Hungarian literature!
- Which significant Hungarian literary works do you know?
- Which famous European composers and literary figures do you know?
4) Fundamental Institutions of the Constitution (Constitution, National Assembly, Government, President of the Republic). Guiding questions:
- Describe Hungary’s Constitution!
- Name Hungary’s form of goverment!
- Describe the role of the National Assembly in Hungary's state structure!
- Who is Hungary’s Prime Minister?
- Who is the President of the Republic?
5) Citizens' Rights and Responsibilities (Human rights, basic rights guaranteed by the Constitution). Guiding questions:
- Describe the historical development of human rights!
- What is the European Convention on Human Rights?
- What basic rights do you know?
- What does equality before the law mean?
- When was the death penalty abolished in Hungary?
6) Hungary in Everyday Life (Geography, economy, society, Hungary in the European Union). Guiding questions:
- Name Hungary’s largest rivers!
- Which Hungarian landmarks and historical sites do you know?
- How many counties does Hungary have?
- Name Hungaricums!
- When did Hungary join the European Union?
The exam is written, conducted in Hungarian, and consists of 12 questions. A score of 16 points is required to pass. The exam can be attempted three times. After three unsuccessful attempts, further applications are not allowed. The Budapest Capital Government Office is authorized to evaluate the exam. It must be taken at the authority’s building located at 174 Váci Road, Budapest. The application requires the payment of a 20,000 HUF exam fee.
The introduction of the Hungarian Cultural Knowledge Exam is a strict prerequisite for long-term residency, aiming to promote social integration. Proper preparation is essential for success.
For inquiries, please contact our expert colleagues: Csaba László Vig, Legal and Compliance Expert: csaba.vig@nvisa.eu, Kenéz Bogdány, Managing Director: kenez.bogdany@nvisa.eu
Csaba László Vig and Kenéz Bogdány
Jan 28 2025
