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Question title: Retiring in Hungary...soon.
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Dear George,5. Stuart McAlister on May 30, 2012, 12:02 pm
Forgive me for replying to a question with a question but will the Australian state allow its citizens to also maintain citizenship of another country? If so then it would be a good idea to work on re-claiming your Hungarian citizenship. As a non-EU citizen in Hungary you can apply for a Residence Permit based on your retirement income but it would be much simpler if you are a Hungarian citizen and your wife is either a Dutch citizen or the spouse of a Hungarian citizen.
This will also help if you plan to ship furniture from Australia to Hungary in terms of avoiding the need to pay customs duties on goods imported to the EU.
Do you think it would be possible to re-establish your citizenship via the Hungarian Embassy in Canberra?
Best regards,
Stuart McAlister
Dear Gabor and Stuart,4. George Juhasz on May 30, 2012, 1:32 am
Thank you both for your advice. Yes, all the good memories of beautiful Hungary, memory of my childhood, friends are keeping flowing back like a 'DVD player in replay mode’.
Thanks to you both now I am much clearer of the processes regarding my questions. However, my wife and I are both Australian citizens, holders of Australian passports. The Australian citizenship was an automatic process at the time due to our tender age and our granted permanent residency status in Australia...I.E. for not having a Hungarian citizenship. My wife’s circumstances is a little different.
When my mother and I (legally) left Hungary in 1962 the then ‘regime’ has withdrawn our Hungarian citizenship. The withdrawal was perhaps as a 'punishment' for emigrating from Hungary and audacious to join my brother who left Hungary in 1956. Will the Australian citizenship cause any serious issues?
Cheers,
George
Dear George,3. Stuart McAlister on May 29, 2012, 9:35 pm
Just to add to Gábor's excellent advice, we can guide you through the process of exchanging your Aussie licence for a Hungarian, EU one once you're over here. You can drive on an international Australian licence for 12 months from the date your legal residence in Hungary starts and only after that should you get it changed over.
We have an instructor who can assist you with both the practical driving test (this is not always required) and the theory test that verifies you understand European road rules and signs.
I assume you still hold Hungarian citizenship, in which case you'd only need to apply for an ID card and address card on your return. Your wife would need a Hungarian Registration (like a residence permit for EU citizens). We can assist with this process too if you need it.
Best regards,
Stuart McAlister
Inter Relocation
Dear George, it will be good to have you back in the country, I hope you'll like it and find both memories and new things.2. attorney on May 29, 2012, 5:31 pm
Answers to the questions:
1./ yes, I do not see why not - if there is any special reason for your doubt, pls send an email to my office address. Purchase of a property for a Hungarian citizen is free, for citizen of a non-EU state needs a permission - it is a routine process, I have for years not heard of any denial of such request.
2./ In Hungary the pension, for the time being, is no subject of taxation
3./ Buying a residential property regardless of the purchaser, is charged by a 4 % of the value registry fee.
4./ your international driving licence is accepted in Hungary but to renew it, I am afraid, you'll have to pass a test. The insurance record is not accepted.
If you need further oinformation, pls contact me
rgds
Gábor
Dear Gabor,1. George Juhasz on May 29, 2012, 8:09 am
I was born in Hungary. Have been living in Australia since 1962 (I was 15 at the time) and would like to retire in Hungary with my Dutch born wife. I do speak Hungarian however my language skills resemble a 15 year old. The Australian Government in 2011 signed a bilateral agreement with Hungary which will become effective in July 2012 which will ensure my Australian pension will be transferred to my nominated Hungarian bank.
Questions:
1. Would the Hungarian Government allow me to return - reside (permanently) in Hungary after all these years and purchase a house?
2. Would I have to pay tax on my pension received from Australia?
3. As a pensioner, would I still have to pay tax on a house transaction?
4. Would the Hungarian police & motor vehicle insurers accept the Australian translation of my faultless driving lisense record and nil insurance claims?
Best regards,
George
