Expats who plan to live in Hungary must have a residence permit, which is divided into temporary and permanent. Find out how to get a document and what changes to the permit procedure Hungary will introduce in 2025

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Hungary is a country in Eastern Europe that is part of the European Union. This state is a promising destination for expats to move to, because it can offer a foreigner a high quality of life for moderate money and considerable career prospects. However, potential asylum seekers, including citizens of Morocco, Uzbekistan and Nepal, should be aware that in recent years, Hungary has been making changes to its migration legislation and, in particular, changing the procedure for obtaining a residence permit.

Read about the procedure for obtaining a residence permit in Hungary in 2024 in our new article.

How to get a residence permit in Hungary?

The first step to obtaining permanent residence in Hungary is obtaining a temporary residence permit. Temporary permits are issued for 1-5 years.

More than 20 types of residence permits have been approved in Hungary: for work, study, on the basis of marriage, for family reunification, golden visa, permit for digital nomads, interns and volunteers, refugees, etc. Each of them has specific conditions and requirements.

However, not all types of permits give the right to permanent residence. In particular, permits for students, digital nomads or unskilled and seasonal workers limit the duration of continuous stay and do not allow applications for permanent residence. At the same time, investors and highly qualified workers can apply for permanent resident status.

Requirements for obtaining a temporary residence permit in Hungary

To obtain a temporary residence permit in Hungary, the following package of documents must be submitted together with the application:

- Valid passport.

- Passport size photo.

- Biometrics (photo of your face and fingerprints).

- Confirmation of the paid fee - the administrative fee for a temporary residence permit in Hungary is 110 euros.

- Certificate of availability of funds for living in Hungary – You must prove that you have enough funds to cover your living expenses for more than 90 days. To do this, it is necessary to provide: a statement from a bank account, a certificate from an employer, a sponsor's letter, etc.

- Confirmation of the availability of a place to live in Hungary - a housing rental agreement, a document confirming the right of ownership of housing, etc.

- Health insurance policy.

How to apply for a residence permit in Hungary?

The procedure for obtaining a residence permit in Hungary includes the following stages:

1. Complete a residence permit application – You must complete an application form that corresponds to the type of residence you are applying for (temporary or permanent residence). The application form can be found online on the website of the Hungarian National Police Office for Foreigners.

2. Submit an application. You can apply for temporary residence at any Hungarian consulate or any other place authorized to accept residence permit applications in your country.

3. Prepare the necessary package of documents. Attach the necessary documents to your application and submit them together to the competent authority.

4. Get a solution. The diplomatic mission or consulate you applied to will inform you of the status of your residence permit application.

How long does it take to process a residence permit application?

The authorized body for issuing a temporary residence permit makes a decision within 21 days.

In order to safely move, travel or work in a new country, you will need health insurance. You can issue an extended policy on our website using the link.

When can I apply for a permanent residence permit after issuing a temporary residence permit?

You can apply for an EU permanent residence permit after five years of continuous residence in Hungary. The permanent residence permit is valid for another five years and can be extended.

Under what conditions can a foreigner obtain a permanent residence permit in Hungary?

- You must have a place of residence in Hungary and sufficient means of subsistence.

- You must have comprehensive health insurance or sufficient income to receive medical services.

- You must have a residence permit or a temporary residence permit.

- You must have a residence permit in accordance with the interests of Hungary.

- You must have lived in Hungary for at least three years before applying.

- You must be a direct relative of a Hungarian citizen, a third-country national with immigrant, permanent resident or refugee status, and have lived in the same household for at least one year prior to applying.

- You are the spouse of a Hungarian citizen, a third country citizen with immigrant, permanent resident or refugee status and have been married for at least two years before applying for permanent residence.

- You are a former citizen of Hungary with revoked citizenship or Hungarian origin.

- You are a minor child of a third-country citizen with immigrant, permanent resident or refugee status.

When can a foreigner not get a residence permit in Hungary?

- Your residence in Hungary is considered a threat to public and national security.

- You are subject to deportation or expulsion from Hungary or registered in SIS due to refusal of entry and right of residence.

- You provided false information or false facts to obtain a permit.

- You have a criminal record.

How long after obtaining a permanent residence can I apply for Hungarian citizenship?

Before you can apply for Hungarian citizenship, you must have five years of continuous legal residence in Hungary and meet the conditions for permanent residence.

Changes in the procedure for obtaining Hungarian legislation in 2024

From January 1, 2025, the Hungarian government will introduce a written exam for foreign nationals applying for a permanent residence permit to test the applicant's general knowledge of Hungarian history and culture. Those who did not pass the exam will not be able to get a permanent residence permit.

Advantages of obtaining a residence permit in Hungary

1. The opportunity to live and work in one of the EU countries.

A residence permit allows you to live in Hungary and work without the need to issue additional documents.

2. Visa-free regime within the Schengen zone.

Holders of a Hungarian residence permit can enter the other 28 countries of the Schengen area without visas and stay there for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

3. The prospect of obtaining Hungarian citizenship.

After eight years of permanent residence in Hungary, foreigners can apply for citizenship.

4. Affordable cost of living.

Compared to other EU countries, prices in Hungary are much lower. For example, a single person's monthly living expenses in Budapest are around €680 excluding rent, while a family of four will need around €2,400. For comparison, the same costs in Berlin are 1,000 euros and 3,300 euros, respectively.

5. Developed systems of education and health care.

6. Possibility to open an account in a European bank.

7. Good climate, beautiful nature and clean air.

We will remind you! From July 1, 2024, the "Golden Visa" program resumed operation in Hungary. Now foreigners will be able to get a residence permit through 3 investment options. We have already talked about the features of the Golden Visa program in Hungary.

Igor Usyk - Head of Legal Department at Visit World

To ensure a safe move to Hungary, I advise you to contact a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations during migration abroad.

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