Visa-free countries with a Hungary passport and a residence permit

Visa-free countries with a Hungary passport

Hungary citizenship opens up many travel opportunities. A citizen of Hungary can visit 171 countries without a visa. Out of these, 31 countries issue visas on arrival, and 32 countries provide online visas, known as electronic travel authorizations.

A visa on arrival for Hungarian citizens can be obtained at the border of a foreign country, such as at an airport checkpoint or a port. To enter a country, foreigners must present return tickets, a hotel booking confirmation, and medical insurance. In some countries, a visa fee is required. For example, Hungarian citizens need to pay $14 to enter Bahrain and $25 to enter Egypt.

The Hungary Golden Visa Program

An electronic travel authorisation (eTA) for Hungarian citizens is obtained in advance. Applicants must apply through the website of the country's migration service. The approval period depends on the visa policy of the state and the applicant's biographical details. Normally, the process takes up to 3 days.

There may be a fee for obtaining an eTA. For example, the fee for South Korea is about $10, and for Australia, it is $36.

List of visa-free countries and territories for Hungarian citizens

Visa requirements for Hungarian citizens to popular countries 

Schengen and EU countries. Holders of Hungarian passports can enter countries in the EU and Schengen Area without a visa and stay there for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

To stay in one of these countries for more than 90 days, a Hungarian citizen must contact the consulate or embassy of the relevant state. The representatives will explain the process for legally extending the stay. For example, they might require registration at the local police station of the country.

The UK. A Hungary passport allows its holder to enter the UK without a visa for tourism purposes and stay there for up to 6 months a year. A valid passport is the only required document.

The USA. Hungarian citizens do not need a visa for tourist or business trips to the United States lasting under 90 days. Instead of a visa, they must obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). The application for an ESTA is submitted online through the official website of the US Customs and Border Protection Service. 

It is recommended to submit the application at least three days before the trip. The ESTA application process usually takes about 30 minutes to complete, and the registration fee is $21. An ESTA is valid for 2 years.

Australia. For short-term trips to Australia with a Hungary passport, it is necessary to obtain an electronic visa, known as eVisitor. This multiple‑entry visa allows a stay of up to 90 days per visit.

Holders of an eVisitor visa can travel, attend training courses, and engage in business activities in Australia. For instance, they can enter Australia to sign business contracts or speak at conferences. The visa is valid for 1 year.

The cost of an eVisitor visa to Australia varies based on the application's processing time:

• standard, 4 days — $36;
• accelerated, 2 days — $64;
• urgent, 24 hours — $112.

Singapore. Tourists with a Hungarian passport can visit Singapore without a visa and are allowed to stay there for up to 90 days.

The Caribbean. Most Caribbean countries do not require Hungarian citizens to obtain visas for entry. Typically, the allowed duration of stay is up to 90 days. The maximum permitted stay varies by country, with the Cayman Islands allowing up to 6 months, while the Dominican Republic and Jamaica permit stays of up to 30 days.

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Hungary Golden Visa

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Visa-free travel for holders of Hungarian temporary and permanent residence permits

Residents of Hungary can travel visa‑free to countries in the EU and the Schengen Zone, with a permitted stay of up to 90 days within a 180‑day period. This privilege extends to both permanent residents and foreigners holding Hungarian residence permits.

Countries such as Georgia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, and other European nations also allow entry without a visa to foreigners with a Hungarian residence permit. The allowed duration of stay generally aligns with the visa policy of the EU and Schengen states, permitting a maximum stay of 90 days within a 180-day period.

List of visa-free countries for Hungarian residents

To travel within the Schengen Zone, foreigners only need their residence permit card. Customs officers may occasionally request additional documents at the border, but this is rare.

To enter Cyprus or Ireland, residents must present not only a residence permit card but also a valid passport, confirmation of a hotel reservation, and, in some cases, a bank statement. These requirements also extend to non-EU and non-Schengen countries, such as Montenegro.

Foreigners can obtain a residence permit in Hungary by investment — by purchasing real estate, units in investment funds, or making donations to higher education institutions. 

Paths to a Hungary residence permit and a passport

There are 24 ways to get a residence permit in Hungary. Foreigners can achieve resident status through studying, employment, family reunification, starting a business, medical treatment, and volunteering.

Investors are granted a residence permit valid for 10 years, with the option to extend it for an additional 10 years. To qualify, they must invest at least €250,000. Their spouse, children under 18, and dependent parents can be included in the investor’s application.

The investment can be made in one of three ways:

• buying shares in investment funds worth at least €250,000;
• purchasing real estate with a minimum value of €500,000;
• making a donation of at least €1 million.

Digital nomads can secure a residence permit if they work for a company outside the EU and earn at least €3,000 per month. The applicants must also rent housing in Hungary. The residence permit, also called the White Card, is granted for 1 year and can be extended once for the same period. The applicants’ relatives cannot obtain residency.

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Hungary White Card

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Entrepreneurs can obtain a residence permit if they register a legal entity in Hungary. The company’s minimum authorised capital must be at least €7,700. The residence permit is granted for 1 year and can be extended once for 2 years. Entrepreneur’s family members can obtain residence permits a year later.

Permanent residence in Hungary can be obtained after living in the country for three years with a residence permit.

Hungary citizenship. Foreigners who have lived in Hungary for at least 8 years with permanent residence may apply for citizenship by naturalisation. It takes a total of 11 years of residency in the country to become a Hungarian citizen.

Main points about visa‑free countries with a Hungary residence permit and a Hungary passport

1. Holding a residence permit in Hungary allows the holder to visit more than 35 countries without a visa, including countries in the European Union, the Schengen Area, as well as Montenegro, Serbia, and Turkey.
2. A residence permit in Hungary can be obtained by investments starting at €250,000. The permit is initially issued for 10 years, with the option to extend it for an additional 10 years.
3. A Hungary passport grants citizens visa-free entry to 171 countries, including Australia, Japan, Singapore, the UK, and the USA.
4. The sole pathway to Hungarian citizenship is by naturalisation. Investors and other foreigners can apply for citizenship after living in the country for 11 years.

Frequently Asked Questions