My name is Ethan and I’m a MyHeritage user from the United States. My journey started with a cheek swab; just a simple MyHeritage DNA test, taken out of curiosity. A way to learn more about where we came from. I had no idea it would lead to where I am today: married to my Hungarian language teacher, co-founder of our own business, and holding a second passport that opened a future I never imagined.
Searching for our roots
Like many families, my parents and I had long dreamed of a second passport. Beyond more convenient travel, having a European passport would mean greater security and more options for the future.
We explored a few avenues. Portugal’s Sephardic ancestry program was promising, but it closed before we could apply. That dead end sparked a different memory: my mom recalled that my grandfather, a baker, had come from Hungary.
That tiny thread was the beginning of everything.
A DNA result confirms our Hungarian heritage
At first, all we knew was that our ancestry might trace back “somewhere in Austria-Hungary.” Then an old family photo surfaced: my grandfather in his Nebraska bakery.
A family photo of Ethan's grandfather, the baker in Nebraska, in the 1920s. Photo enhanced and colorized by MyHeritage
To be sure, I took a MyHeritage DNA test.
The results confirmed that we had Hungarian and Austrian ancestry. Suddenly, the legend of the Hungarian baker became something more: a lead we could follow.
Digging deeper, we found documents — a birth record and even a military draft card — that proved he had been a Hungarian citizen. That discovery flung open a door to Europe more than a century later.
The bakery he owned, shown in the picture, is now a small print shop. He and his family lived in a dugout house before that. They had several children, and sadly, one of their babies died as they came over to America. They were forced to hide this so they wouldn’t be kicked off the boat.
The moment Hungary became home
Soon after, we found Hungary’s simplified naturalization program: a little-known but powerful path to reclaiming citizenship for descendants of Hungarian citizens. No need to move to Hungary or invest huge sums. Just prove your ancestry and pass a short Hungarian-language interview.
For us, this was life-changing. An EU passport offered not only mobility and access to 27 countries, but real freedom that could affect generations.
It was official: we were going to apply. But first, we needed to learn some Hungarian.
Little did I know how that decision would change not only my life, but the future of my family.
I signed up for language lessons… and met my future wife
To prepare for the interview, I started studying Hungarian. That’s when I met Lídia.
Ethan and Lídia meet in person for the first time
Lídia is a certified Hungarian language teacher with a university level degree. Our lessons were focused and practical. I learned how to speak about my family history and documents, how to handle the consulate interview, and how to do it all in confident, clear Hungarian. But as my grasp of Hungarian deepened, so did the bond between me and Lídia. We had a lot in common: aside from the Hungarian roots, we’re both high-level athletes — baseball in my case and martial arts in hers. She’s a triple black belt combat fighter, believe it or not!
Things developed organically, and 3 years later, we were married!
The happy couple on their wedding day with Ethan’s parents
Building something new, for us and for others
The whole experience showed us how powerful the citizenship process can be — and how overwhelming it can feel without the right guidance.
That’s why Lídia and I created Learn Hungarian Anywhere, a 36-lesson program specifically for people applying for Hungarian citizenship. It teaches exactly what you need to know for the interview, and how to gather and present your documents the right way. No filler. No wasted time. Just a clear path forward.
We wanted to help others walk the same path we did, but with fewer hurdles and more support.
A life of possibilities
We never imagined how quickly life would change. Our Hungarian citizenship has opened up Europe for us: not only can we travel there smoothly and quickly, we can also live, work, and build a future anywhere in the EU. It’s almost like acquiring a second life!
Lídia and Ethan in Hungary
We’re now exploring land and business opportunities across the continent. We skip passport lines. We sleep a little better knowing our future kids will inherit this security. And through it all, Hungary — a small, resilient country — has come to feel like home.
On the train in Balaton
The quest for a passport that evolved into a love story
When people ask how this all started, I tell them: it was a DNA test. But it wasn’t the swab that changed everything. It was the decision to follow where the story led.
That story brought me to Hungary, to Lídia, and to a new life we’re building together — one that both honors the past and opens the door to the future.
Ethan and Lídia visit the Mr. Langos chain at the Veszprem mall
Exploring your own Hungarian heritage
If you’ve taken or are considering taking a MyHeritage test, don’t just smile at the results — treat them like gold. Check whether your ancestor was a Hungarian citizen. Build the paper trail. Train for the interview. And then step into the consulate knowing you belong.
Many thanks to Ethan for sharing his amazing story with us! You can learn more about his and Lídia’s citizenship program here — they’re happy to provide a free 20-minute consultation to other MyHeritage users.
MyHeritage DNA tests are now on sale for just $29 — order now!
The post The DNA Test That Led to EU Citizenship… and the Love of My Life appeared first on MyHeritage Blog.
Source: My Heritage
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