Temporary residence permits in Hungary: options and requirements

Who can get a Hungary temporary residence permit

Hungarian residence permits are available to third-country nationals and foreign relatives of Hungarian citizens. 

The admission of foreigners into Hungary is governed by Act II on the Admission and Right of Residence of Third-Country Nationals. Under this legislation, individuals can receive a temporary residence permit for various purposes, including family reunification, employment, education, or medical treatment. Since November 2023, wealthy individuals can also obtain residence permits by investment with the Hungary Golden Visa program.

Overall, there are 13 types of resident permits in Hungary, and here are the grounds for obtaining a them:

1. Investment in the country’s economy.
2. Family reunification.
3. Entrepreneurship.
4. Digital nomad activities.
5. Gainful employment.
6. Internships.
7. Studies.
8. Research.
9. Medical treatment.
10. Official duty.
11. Voluntary service activities.
12. Cultural heritage preservation and family strengthening.
13. Temporary work agreements based on bilateral treaties.

The validity period of the permit depends on its type. For instance, foreign investors receive a 10-year permit, entrepreneurs are granted a 3‑year permit, and students typically receive a permit valid for 1 year.

5 benefits of Hungary residence permit

1. Access to the Schengen Area. One of the major perks of holding a Hungarian residence permit is the ability to travel freely within the Schengen Zone. This includes visa‑free travel to 29 European countries, making it easier for both personal and business travel throughout Europe.

Individuals holding a temporary residence permit in Hungary can stay in other Schengen states for up to 90 days every 6 months. 

2. Cost-effective investment opportunities. Compared to other European residency programs, Hungary offers relatively affordable investment options. Entrepreneurs can start a business with a modest initial capital requirement of €7,700, while investors can obtain a long-term residence permit with a €250,000 investment.

3. Favourable tax system. Hungary has a competitive tax environment, including a flat personal income tax rate of 15% and one of the lowest corporate tax rates in Europe at 9%. This makes the country attractive for both individual investors and businesses looking to optimise their tax liabilities.

4. Pathway to permanent residency and citizenship. After three years of continuous residence in Hungary, holders of temporary residence permits can apply for permanent residency. Citizenship is available after eight more years of living in Hungary, with the possibility of reducing this period to five or even three years under certain conditions.

5. Family reunification. Once the primary applicant obtains a residence permit, family members, including spouses and dependent children, can also apply for residence under Hungary's family reunification program. This benefit allows families to live, work, and study together in a safe and stable environment.

Hungary Golden Visa Program: residency for investors

The Hungary Golden Visa offers a streamlined path to obtaining a residence permit by investment. 

Investment options. Applicants can choose between the two options:

1. Purchase of real estate fund units with a minimum investment of €250,000. These real estate funds must be registered with the Hungarian National Bank.
2. Charitable donation of €1,000,000 to an institute of higher learning. Public interest trust foundations performing public tasks must oversee the educational organisation.

The applicant must fulfil the investment conditions within 93 calendar days of their first entry to Hungary with the Guest Investor Visa.

Requirements for applicants. To initiate the process of obtaining a residence permit in Hungary by investment, foreigners must first acquire the Guest Investor Visa from a Hungarian consulate. Applicants from visa-waiver countries can skip obtaining a Guest Investor Visa and apply for residency directly from within Hungary.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Submit a written confirmation of their intention to meet the investment requirements.
2. Possess medical insurance or have sufficient funds to cover potential medical expenses.
3. Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover travel and living expenses in Hungary for the intended duration of their stay.
4. Verify that the investment capital originates from a legitimate source of income and meets the required investment amount.
5. Ensure that they are not subject to deportation orders and that their stay does not pose a threat to Hungary’s national policy, social security, national security, or public healthcare systems.
6. Be a non-EU, non-EEA and non‑Swiss citizen.

The investor may include a spouse and underage children in their application. Financially dependent parents of the investor or their spouse can also be included, as well as children under 25 who are university students.

Validity. The main applicant and their family members are eligible for a Hungarian residence permit valid for 10 years. This permit can subsequently be extended for an additional 10-year period.

Residence in Hungary by marriage or family reunification

Requirements for applicants. Relatives of Hungarian citizens, residents or immigrants with a refugee status are eligible for this type of residence permit in Hungary:

• a spouse;
• underage children;
• guardians of a minor child.

A residence permit in Hungary for family reunification allows its holder to work.

Validity. A standard residence permit for family reunification is granted for three years with a right of extension for the same amount of time.

The period of validity of a resident status increases to 4 years if an applicant is an EU blue card holder's relative. Family members of permanent residents with an EU blue card may obtain temporary residence for 5 years.

Hungary residency for entrepreneurs

Requirement for applicants. Entrepreneurs can obtain a residence permit by starting a company in Hungary. The minimum required share capital is €7,700. To qualify for the residence permit, applicants must register a legal entity in Hungary, such as a limited liability company (LLC) or a joint-stock company (JSC).

Family members of the company owner may also obtain a residence permit, but only after one year has passed since the primary applicant received their permit.

Validity. The residence permit is initially issued for 1 year and can be extended once for an additional 2 years. After three years, the permit can be renewed with the same company; however, the applicant must leave Hungary and apply for a new visa through the consulate.

A residence permit obtained by opening a company in Hungary does not grant the right to permanent residency or citizenship.

Hungary temporary residence permit for digital nomads — a White Card

Requirement for applicants. A White Card is a special residence permit for digital nomads. Two categories of applicants are eligible for it: officially registered self-employed persons who work remotely for a non-Hungarian company, and foreign business owners who run their firm remotely. 

The applicants must meet certain requirements:

• not be subject to any legal disqualifications;
• not pursue any gainful activity in Hungary, including holding a share in a Hungarian company;
• demonstrate a minimum income of at least €3,000 per month over the last six months;
• after obtaining a White Card, meet the general conditions for staying in Hungary for more than 90 days within any 180-day period.

Validity. Hungary temporary residence permit for digital nomads is granted for a year and can be extended once for the same period. This type of residence permit does not allow applying for  permanent residence or citizenship.

Residence in Hungary for employment

Hungary offers eight types of residence permits for employment purposes.

Residence permits for highly skilled professionals:

• Hungarian cards are issued to third-country nationals working in positions that require high qualifications. If the individual changes jobs, they must reapply for a residence permit.
• EU Blue Card is granted to highly skilled employees whose monthly salary is 1.5 times higher than the average salary in Hungary from the previous year. No new card is needed when changing employers.
• Residence permits for intra-corporate transfers are issued to employees of foreign companies transferred to a Hungarian branch or subsidiary of an international organisation.
• Residence permit for business relocation to Hungary. Granted exclusively to executive directors of companies that have an agreement with the Hungarian government.

Residence permits for jobs not requiring high qualifications:

• Residence permit for seasonal work.
• Residence permit for invited employees is intended for foreigners employed in a Hungarian company through a temporary employment agency.
• Residence permit for investment-related work is issued for work on government-approved projects.
• Residence permit for general employment is given for jobs not specified above and not requiring special skills or qualifications.

Conditions for obtaining a work-related residence permit. The requirements depend on the type of employment. For example, seasonal workers must submit a seasonal employment contract with their application, while employees relocating through intra-corporate transfers need to provide a work contract and certification proving that both the sending and receiving companies are part of the same corporate group.

Validity. Residence permits for employment are issued for the duration of the employment contract, with the possibility of renewal.

Holders of residence permits for unskilled jobs are not eligible for permanent residency. These permits also do not allow family members to join the resident under the family reunification program.

The EU Blue Card for highly skilled employees is valid for two years, during which the foreign national may work only in the field for which the residence permit was granted.

Hungary residence permit for trainees

Requirement for applicants. To get residency for an internship, an applicant has to provide the following:

• a contract with a host organisation;
• a diploma of a higher education or a certificate proving completion of special training at university;
• a certificate proving language awareness enough for having an internship in Hungarian;
• a written commitment by a host organisation to reimburse the costs of expulsion in case the trainee remains in the territory of Hungary past the period authorised.

Validity. Hungarian residency for traineeship is valid for 6 months or a period of internship if it lasts less than half a year. It's impossible to renew such a residence permit.

Residence permit in Hungary for students

Requirements for applicants. A temporary residence permit is available to full-time students of Hungarian universities and preparatory program attendees.

An applicant has to show a good command of the Hungarian language to study and prove sufficient funds for tuition fees.

Students may work in Hungary without any additional work permits. However, the amount of time they can work per week is limited to 30 hours during study time. On holidays, students are allowed to work for 90 calendar days or 66 working days a year.

Validity. A Hungary residence permit for study is granted for 1 year or the whole period of study if it lasts for less than a year. 

It is possible to extend a student’s resident permit for a year or two. When applying for renewal, it is necessary to submit a certificate of academic performance along with other documents.

Hungarian residency for scientific research

Requirements for applicants. Scientists can obtain a residence permit if they have a doctor's degree or its equivalent and a signed contract with an accredited research organisation. 

Validity. A residence permit in Hungary for research is granted for 1 to 5 years. If planned research is going to take less than a year, Hungarian residency is granted for a period defined in a contract with a research organisation.

It is possible to extend this type of temporary residence permit in Hungary but no longer than two years at once.

Hungary temporary residence permit for the purpose of medical treatment

Requirements for applicants. Patients of Hungarian clinics and relatives who accompany them may obtain residence in Hungary for medical treatment. The patient has to submit an official statement or a contract with a medical organisation, and the patient’s relative submits documents proving family ties with the patient.

Validity. Hungarian residency for medical treatment is granted for the period of treatment but not longer than 2 years. It is possible to extend this type of residence permit for 2 years at once as long as treatment is delayed.

Residence permit in Hungary for official purposes

Requirements for applicants. There are several categories of foreigners eligible for this type of residency:

• privileges or immunities holders under established diplomatic relations or international law and their family members;
• participants of foreign states’ official delegations;
• representatives of foreign government bodies and international organisations;
• journalists;
• those who wish to take part in international conventions, programs of international cooperation and support in the fields of education, science and culture;
• employees of scientific, educational and cultural institutions operating in Hungary in accordance with international agreements.

Validity. A residence permit in Hungary for official purposes is issued for the period of service or managing an event but for no longer than three years.

This type of residence permit may be extended for a necessary period but not more than three times during a year.

Residence in Hungary for volunteers

Requirements for applicants. Volunteers may obtain residence in Hungary if they have an agreement with a relevant organisation. 

Validity. Hungarian residency for voluntary service activities is issued for 1—2 years or the period defined in the contract concluded between a volunteer and an organisation.

It is impossible to extend residence permit in Hungary for voluntary service activities.

National residence permit in Hungary

Requirements for applicants. This type of Hungarian residency is granted on the basis of an agreement between the countries: for 2025, Hungary signed such an agreement with 8 countries: Ukraine, Serbia, Belarus, Montenegro, Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, and North Macedonia.

There are two ways to get a national residence permit: 

1. Get an official job offer from a Hungarian company. 
2. Register a business in Hungary. There are requirements for the minimum share capital which depend on the legal form of the organization. For a limited liability company, the minimum capital starts at €7,700. For a joint-stock company, whether public or private, the required minimum share capital starts at €12,700.

Validity. The national visa is granted for three years, with the possibility of extending it for the same period. It will be possible to renew residency, if its holder spends in Hungary at least 183 days a year.

Temporary residence permit according to the working holiday scheme bilateral agreements

Working Holiday Scheme bilateral agreements allow citizens of 8 countries to obtain temporary residence in Hungary: New Zealand, Korea, China (Taiwan), the Commonwealth of Australia, Japan, Chile, Argentina, and Hong Kong.

A working holiday visa to Hungary allows foreigners to stay in Hungary for up to 12 months and take up short-term employment of not more than six months.

Requirements for residents. The residents have to be 18—35 years old and provide sufficient funds for the period of stay in Hungary. They also have to provide financial proof of around €3,000 and medical insurance covering treatment and repatriation.

Requirements and documents to obtain a residence permit in Hungary

There is a basic package of documents regardless of the type of residence permit:

1. Valid national and foreign passports.
2. A completed application.
3. Two photos taken not earlier than three months before the application for a residence permit.
4. Medical insurance with worldwide coverage or valid within the EU for the sum of €30,000. It is also necessary to add a receipt proving the purchase of an insurance plan.
5. An application that a foreigner is ready to leave the country if the residence permit is approved. It's also necessary to add a return ticket or proof of having a sufficient amount of money to buy it if needed. A foreigner must leave Hungary within 30 days starting from the day of refusal.
6. In the case of minors, it is necessary to add the parents' agreement for a minor's stay in Hungary.
7. Proof that the documents are uploaded online via the site Enter Hungary is applicable.
8. A permanent residential address in Hungary is what absolutely all the applicants for a Hungarian residence permit have to prove.

If an applicant owns residential property, they have to provide:

1. Real estate purchase and sale agreement.
2. An extract from the land registry indicating a property item as residential.
3. Proof that the living space equals or exceeds 6m² per capita.
4. A copy of a certificate from a government body of Budapest allowing the purchase of property if the applicant obtains a temporary residence permit through buying property.

If applicants rent an apartment or a house in Hungary, they provide:

1. A lease contract for at least three months.
2. An extract from the cadastre confirming that the lessor has the right to rent out the property.
3. It is necessary to indicate a residential address on the site Enter Hungary.

Sufficient financial means must be confirmed by the following documents:

1. Bank statements from all the bank accounts for the last four months.
2. A certificate from work or a tax authority proving sustainable income for the last six months.
3. Certificate of payment of scholarship grant.
4. Certificate of pension payments.
5. Confirmation of the financial status of a family member and family ties if they sponsor the applicant’s residence in Hungary.

Additional documents, depending on the type of residence permit, may include a work contract with a Hungarian employer, a certificate of an applicant’s registration as a self-employed person or an entrepreneur, a birth or marriage certificate, a diploma of higher education, a contract with an institution of higher education.

Rights and obligations of residence permit holders in Hungary

A residence permit in Hungary grants its holders the right to reside in the country. Depending on the type of residence permit, residents may be allowed to work or study in Hungary.

Public healthcare services are available to Hungarian residents. The national social health insurance system provides free medical treatment. However, outpatient medical care and pharmaceuticals, medical devices and dental care demand significant co-payments.

Residents’ family members may also apply for residency in the country on the grounds of family reunification. Residents’ children may attend state schools.

Residents have legal obligations to:

• maintain their health insurance valid;
• inform Hungarian authorities of changes in their circumstances, such as marriage or address change;
• obey Hungarian laws;
• pay taxes if they stay in the country for more than 183 days a year.

How to extend the Hungarian residence permit

It is possible to extend a status online on the website Enter Hungary. It’s necessary to apply at least 30 days before a current temporary residence permit expires. A renewal fee is about €61.

To renew the permit, the applicant has to prove that they still qualify for it — for instance, foreign employees show their work contract. 

Reasons for the denial of Hungary's temporary residence permit 

The basic reasons for refusal of a temporary residence permit in Hungary are providing incomplete or false data about an applicant and their purposes of staying in Hungary. Criminal records, previous deportation, or visa refusals may also be obstacles to obtaining a Hungarian temporary residence permit.

A residence permit may be revoked in case a resident doesn’t meet the requirements that allow him to obtain a certain type of temporary residence. For example, a student has been expelled from a university or a digital nomad no longer has sufficient income.

How to appeal against a residence permit decision

In case an application for a residence permit is refused, one has a right to challenge the commission’s decision.

Within 8 days after a refusal, an applicant may challenge the migration service decision and apply to a governmental body where the application and the documents were submitted, for instance, to the Hungarian Immigration and Asylum Office.

To appeal, an applicant has to write a letter of appeal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hungary, explaining their situation and the reason for the appeal. The letter must be written in Hungarian or English. The appeal letter may be written in any other language of the EU, but in this case, it must be translated either into Hungarian or German.

Within 15 days the officials send the appeal letter along with an official refusal document to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hungary. After reconsidering the application, the Consular Section informs the applicant about a new decision. The applicant may be interviewed during the appeal process.

The application fee is around €160 if an application is submitted abroad, e.g. at the Hungarian consulate, and if in Hungary, it is about €125.

The decision may be overturned or stand. In case the decision was not changed after the appeal, an applicant may challenge it in court.

6 benefits of living in Hungary

1. Easy travel across Europe. Hungary's central location in Europe makes it an ideal base for exploring the region. Popular destinations like Vienna are just a 3-hour drive away, while the Adriatic coast can be reached in around 5 hours, providing easy access to some of Europe’s top attractions.

2. Life in a stable and safe environment. Residents may live in Hungary within the whole period of a residence permit validity. Depending on the type of Hungarian residence permit, they may study, work and run a business in the country.

Hungary is a country in Central Europe with a good ecology, developed infrastructure and a competitive economy. In international rankings, Hungary is:

• 33 out of 180 countries in the Environmental Performance Index by Yale University, which considers air and water quality, biodiversity, population health and whether the governmental eco‑policy is efficient;
• 18 out of 163 countries in the Global Peace Index released by the Institute for Economics & Peace in 2023;
• 51 out of 137 in the Ranking of Happiness produced by the United Nations that considers GDP per capita, social support, health life expectancy, and opinion poll results. 

3. The cost of living in Hungary is about 50% lower than in Germany, Austria, and the UK. Monthly costs for a single person are around €636 without rent. A family of four will spend around €2,200 a month, not including rental expenses.

4. Access to high-quality healthcare and recreation facilities. Hungarian residents are eligible for the Hungarian healthcare system free of charge and can receive treatment at local private clinics. Average prices for medical services in Hungary are 40—60% lower than in the US, UK, and Scandinavian countries.

Hungary is a popular medical tourism destination. The most popular medical procedures among such tourists are dentistry, cosmetic and plastic surgery, rehabilitation of patients with cardiovascular diseases, infertility treatment, and vision correction services.

Apart from high-quality medical services, tourists in Hungary can enjoy thermal and mineral springs in every region of the country: 1150 in total, 106 of which have healing qualities.

5. European higher education. 11 Hungarian institutions of higher education are included in the top‑1500 world universities, according to QS World University Rankings 2023. Education in Hungary is carried out in accordance with the Bologna process, so diplomas and degrees received in Hungarian universities are recognised internationally, including the EU, the US, and the UK.

6. A prospect of obtaining Hungary permanent residence and citizenship is one more advantage of owning a temporary residence permit in Hungary.

How to get permanent residence and citizenship in Hungary

Hungary permanent residence is granted to applicants who’ve been legally living in the country for at least three years, for example, with a temporary residence permit. They also confirm their permanent address in Hungary, a sufficient level of income or savings for living in the country, and the fact that they have health insurance.

A permanent resident’s relatives are also eligible for permanent residency in Hungary:

• grandparents if they’ve been living in the country for a year before applying for permanent residence;
• a spouse, in case married to a resident at least 2 years before submitting a permanent residence application;
• minor children.

Applicants submit documents online on the Enter Hungary website. They will also have to visit the migration service office in person to submit biometrics for a permanent resident card.

Hungarian permanent residence has no expiration date. However, it is necessary to renew a card every five years. To renew a card, a resident submits an application online and pays a fee of about €54.

Citizenship by naturalisation is available to foreigners who have lived in Hungary with a permanent residence permit for at least 8 years. During this time, they must stay in the country without leaving for more than 6 months at a time. However, with prior approval from immigration services, they can leave for up to 2 years.

The required period of stay can be reduced to:

• 5 years for people born in Hungary, got a temporary residence permit before turning 18 years old or have no citizenship;
• 3 years for Hungary citizens’ spouses, underaged Hungary citizens’ children, children adopted by Hungarian parents, and persons with refugee status;
• 1 year for applicants of Hungarian origin.

Applicants for citizenship confirm the absence of criminal records, deportations and any other problems with the law. They also have to prove their knowledge of the Hungarian language, culture and Constitution of the country by passing an exam.

Applicants submit documents in person to the Ministry of Public Administration and Justice of Hungary. The governments consider an application within 3—6 months. After their applications are approved, the citizens-to-be take an oath of allegiance to Hungary.

Dual citizenship is recognised in Hungary, so there’s no need to renounce your first passport if the other country allows dual or multiple citizenship as well.

Hungary Citizenship Test

Applying for Hungarian citizenship requires knowing the Hungarian language, culture and history. To check it, applicants have to pass a Hungary citizenship exam.

There are 2 parts in the exam: 

1. Part 1 is a Written Exam that contains 20 questions dedicated to Hungary's history, culture, Constitution and government functioning. It lasts for 60 minutes.
2. Part 2 is an Oral Exam. Candidates choose one item from a list of 20 and talk about it. Before the oral test, a 30-minute time slot is allowed for a written outline to help with the answer. 

To prepare for the exam the government recommends to read a book by Mária Ugróczky “Alkotmányos alapismeretek című tankönyvében”. In addition to a book, the Government Office provides free of charge coaching consultations to facilitate the learning process.

The examination is passed if both parts, the oral and the written, are passed. The successful candidate receives a certificate, which will be an annexe to the naturalisation application.

The exam is considered failed if at least one of the parts is marked as failed. In this case, it is possible to repeat the failed part of the examination at another examination date. 

There are certain categories exempt from the exam:

• seniors over 65 years old;
• alumni of Hungarian universities;
• language courses graduates;
• people with disabilities;
• those who cannot take an exam due to health issues.

The cost of the examination is around €300 or 116,000 forints. 

The fee for the re-test is 50% of the examination fee per part, for example, €150.

Key takeaways

1. There are 13 ways to obtain temporary residence in Hungary: through work, family reunification, study, business and medical treatment, and the Hungary Golden Visa program.
2. Entrepreneurs are eligible for a residence permit if they establish a company in Hungary with a minimum starting capital of €7,700.
3. Digital nomads can receive a 1‑year residence permit if they can demonstrate a remote income of at least €3,000.
4. The process of obtaining a residence permit typically takes about 2 months. Regardless of the type of residence permit, applicants must provide proof of the purpose of their stay, sufficient financial means for living in the country, a registered address, and health insurance.
5. After living in Hungary for 3 years with a residence permit, one can apply for permanent residency. Citizenship is granted to those who have lived in Hungary continuously for at least 8 years, though in some cases this period may be reduced to 5 or 3 years, and in rare instances, to 1 year. 

Frequently asked questions