Yes, cousin marriage is legal in Hungary under specific conditions. The Hungarian Civil Code permits marriages between first cousins if they meet general marriage requirements, such as age and consent, but prohibits unions between closer relatives. Local registrars (anyakönyvi hivatal) enforce these rules, and recent 2026 amendments to the Family Law Act tightened documentation requirements for distant relatives.
Key Regulations for Cousin Marriage in Hungary
- Prohibition of Close Relatives: Marriages between siblings, parents/children, or grandparents/grandchildren are strictly forbidden under Article 3:10 of the Hungarian Civil Code (Ptk.), regardless of genetic testing.
- First-Cousin Eligibility: First cousins may marry if both parties are at least 18 years old, provide valid identification, and submit a certificate of no impediment (házassági akadálymentességi bizonyítvány) from their local registrar (anyakönyvi hivatal).
- 2026 Compliance Shift: Since January 2026, registrars must cross-reference marriage applications with the National Population Register (Népességnyilvántartási Rendszer) to verify the absence of closer familial ties, reducing fraudulent declarations.