German Authorities Uncover Extensive Double Citizenship Scheme Among Ukrainian Refugees with Hungarian Passports
In a country that is hosting thousands of Ukrainian refugees fleeing war, a significant issue has emerged that could adversely affect migration policies and social assistance programs.
According to German law enforcement agencies, hundreds of individuals receiving financial support and legal residence in Germany are found to possess dual Ukrainian-Hungarian citizenship.
The detection of these cases followed thorough investigations initiated as early as the winter of 2022-2023 in the Baden-Württemberg region.
Authorities observed unusual behavior among those claiming Ukrainian origins — many did not speak Ukrainian, but instead communicated in Hungarian or required translators.
Further checks revealed that most of these individuals lived near the Ukrainian-Hungarian border, with some belonging to the Roma minority.
Data shows that from May 2023 to October 2025, German regions reported 9,640 suspected cases of dual citizenship to the Federal Migration and Refugee Agency (BAMF), with over a thousand cases recorded just in 2023.
Of these, 568 individuals confirmed holding Hungarian citizenship, often alongside Ukrainian passports.
This creates complications: as EU citizens, Hungarians are ineligible for the temporary protection status granted to Ukrainian refugees.
They can stay in Germany only if employed or financially self-sufficient.
Authorities suspect that some cases involve abuse of the social welfare system, posing a threat to the system’s integrity and stability.
Experts highlight that this problem has deep roots in historical and social contexts, particularly relating to Hungary’s 2010 policy of simplifying citizenship acquisition for ethnic Hungarians abroad, including those in Ukraine’s Zakarpattia region.
Many Roma and Hungarians took advantage of this policy and, after the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict, found themselves caught between two legal frameworks—without full recognition in either Hungary or other EU countries.
German authorities are now conducting thorough checks.
When Hungarian citizenship is confirmed, individuals lose the right to benefits and are required to leave the country unless they have employment or sufficient personal funds.
Controlling these movements is challenging, as many simply relocate to other EU countries or disappear from authorities’ radar.
This situation raises significant concerns among specialists, notably Budapest-based researcher Péter Balogh from Eötvös Loránd University, who stated: “It’s a sad story — the Roma community continues to face discrimination and marginalization everywhere.” Last year, German authorities exposed Romanian nationals posing as Ukrainian refugees to obtain housing and financial aid, further evidencing the scale of the issue and the need for more effective migration control and social welfare oversight.