🇭🇺map Hungary [Residency]

Overview

Hungary sits in the heart of Central Europe and is part of the Schengen Area, which means short stays are straightforward for many travelers. If you’re from the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you can enter with an ID card or passport and live and work without a visa, though you’ll register locally after arrival for longer stays. Nationals from many non‑EU countries (like the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and Japan) typically enjoy visa‑free entry for up to 90 days within any 180‑day period for tourism or business; others will need a Schengen short‑stay visa before traveling. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure from the Schengen zone and have blank pages.

For stays longer than 90 days, plan on Hungary’s national (long‑stay) process: a D visa to enter for long‑term purposes and a residence permit after arrival. Popular categories include work, EU Blue Card, student, family reunification, and a “White Card” aimed at remote workers who earn their income from abroad. Hungary generally requires proof of funds or employment, accommodation, health insurance, and a clean record, with biometrics collected during the process.

Tourist and Short-term Visas

Short visits are usually easy. Visa‑exempt travelers can enter for up to 90 days for tourism or business within the wider Schengen clock. If you need a visa, you’ll apply for a Schengen C visa through a Hungarian consulate or a contracted visa center in your country of residence before you fly. You’ll be asked for accommodation proof, itinerary or return ticket, travel medical insurance that covers the Schengen minimum, and evidence of funds; business visitors typically add an invitation letter from a Hungarian partner. Processing is usually a couple of weeks in normal times, but it’s wise to start a month or more ahead, especially in peak seasons.

Short‑stay visas aren’t designed to be extended easily inside Hungary, so plan your schedule carefully. If you’re mixing tourism with light business meetings, keep documentation consistent and carry invitations or conference registrations. Border officers may ask about your itinerary and funds on arrival, so having printouts handy helps keep things smooth.

Work Visas and Permits

Hungary’s work routes are employer‑driven. Most non‑EU nationals come on a combined work‑and‑residence permit tied to a Hungarian employer. Your company usually initiates the process with a job contract, labor market compliance where applicable, and proof that your role and salary meet local standards. Skilled professionals may qualify for the EU Blue Card if they have a higher education degree and a contract above the required salary threshold, which can make mobility and family joining easier.

If you’re a remote worker employed by or contracted to companies outside Hungary, the White Card is Hungary’s dedicated digital nomad residence. It’s meant for people who earn from abroad, maintain foreign clients or an overseas employer, and want to base themselves in Hungary for up to a year (renewable once). Whichever path you choose, expect to provide a degree or experience evidence where relevant, clean criminal record, proof of accommodation, and comprehensive health insurance. Timelines vary, but a well‑prepared, company‑sponsored case often comes together in a few weeks to a couple of months.

Long-term Residence

For stays beyond 90 days, you’ll typically apply for a long‑stay D visa (if required) and then a residence permit after arrival. Temporary residence permits cover work, study, research, family reunification, and remote work (White Card). Students show admission and funds; family members of residents and EU citizens can reunite with the right documentation and proof of relationship and housing. EU/EEA citizens register their right of residence locally rather than applying for a classic permit.

Permanent residence becomes an option after several years of lawful stay, clean compliance, and integration, with exact qualifying time depending on your category and personal history. Hungary does not run a mainstream “retirement visa,” but financially self‑sufficient applicants sometimes use other residence categories if they can demonstrate stable income and insurance. Investment‑based residence options have evolved over time; if you’re exploring these, check the latest official guidance as programs and conditions can change.

Application Process

Plan your route based on your purpose: work contract, study admission, family ties, or remote work. If you’re visa‑required, you’ll lodge a D visa application at a Hungarian consulate or an authorized visa center before traveling, then finalize your residence permit after you arrive in Hungary. Many applicants now submit parts of the residence process online and then appear for biometrics and original document checks at the National Directorate‑General for Aliens Policing (the immigration authority) once in country.

A typical file includes a valid passport, recent photos, proof of purpose (like a work contract or school letter), accommodation (rental agreement or hotel booking), sufficient funds, health insurance, and a clean criminal record certificate where applicable. Interviews are not always required but be prepared to explain your plans clearly and consistently. Start early, keep digital and paper copies, and track your case through the channels provided by the consulate or the immigration authority.

Costs and Fees

Expect government fees for the visa and the residence permit card, plus service charges if you use a visa center. You may have costs for document notarization, certified translations into Hungarian, and criminal record certificates from your home country. Health insurance that meets Hungarian standards is essential and may be checked both at visa stage and when you apply for the residence permit. If a medical exam is requested for your category, budget for clinic fees and allow lead time to get results.

After Arrival

Once you land, keep your address paperwork tidy. Most long‑stay categories require you to confirm your accommodation and pick up or activate your residence permit card. If you have a work‑based permit, your employer will help with employment notifications and social security onboarding. You’ll also want to register for a tax number and social security number, then open a local bank account—banks typically ask for your passport, residence card or approval letter, tax ID, and proof of address. EU/EEA citizens staying long‑term complete a simpler local registration but should still get tax and social security numbers if they’ll be working.

Common Issues and Tips

Small inconsistencies cause big delays: make sure your job title, salary, and contract details match across every document, and that your rental agreement covers your intended stay. Name spellings and dates must align exactly with your passport. If your timeline is tight, ask about priority appointments or handling, but don’t count on last‑minute miracles during peak seasons. Appeals are possible after refusals, yet a better strategy is prevention—double‑check requirements and, for complex cases, consider a reputable immigration lawyer or a relocation partner who knows Hungarian practice.

Policy details can shift, especially around digital nomad and investment routes. Always verify the latest list of documents and fees with the Hungarian consulate responsible for your residence country and the National Directorate‑General for Aliens Policing. Keep scanned copies of every page you submit, carry printed confirmations to appointments, and build a simple checklist for your own peace of mind.

Franz
Franz is a German technical writer and business consultant from Munich, with over 15 years of experience in international corporate relocations and German business culture. Having worked for major German multinational corporations including BMW and Siemens, Franz has extensive experience facilitating the relocation of international talent to Germany and helping German professionals navigate complex assignments abroad.