The Hungarian White Card, also known as the Digital Nomad Visa, is intended for individuals who wish to live and work remotely in Hungary for up to 1 year. The visa was created to promote the country as a place for remote work. Read more about the benefits and features of obtaining a digital nomad visa for Hungary in 2024

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As of December 2023, Hungary is ranked 18th in the VisaGuide.World Digital Nomad Index with a score of 3.11. The visa for digital nomads in Hungary is known as the “White Card” and is valid from November 2021. 

The digital nomad visa allows expats to live and work in Hungary, either as employees of a foreign company or as freelancers. According to statistics, the most frequent applicants for a digital nomad visa in Hungary are citizens of Poland, Croatia and Slovenia.

Benefits of obtaining a digital nomad visa in Hungary in 2024

A digital nomad visa is an official residence permit. This visa does not allow holders to engage in economic activities with local companies. Therefore, all contract work must be performed with companies outside the country where you have a Digital Nomad visa. 

Let us consider the main advantages of the White Card of Hungary:

1. Tax system and residency. Hungary is recognized as one of the most attractive countries for digital nomads due to its favorable tax system. After 183 days of stay, you become a tax resident;

2. Free movement in the Schengen area. The ability to stay up to 90 days with a White Card allows you to easily explore culture and live in different European countries;

3. Fast and reliable internet. Hungary is famous for its Internet infrastructure. Internet speed is one of the highest in the world, which makes working remotely really efficient;

4. Delicious Hungarian cuisine. The culinary heritage of Hungary offers a wide range of delicious dishes. You can enjoy gourmet dishes such as goulash, langos, somla galuska, which will be a real discovery for gourmets;

5. Economic attractiveness.  Hungary is one of the cheapest countries in Europe. Renting a house, transportation, food and other services are quite affordable, which makes life here comfortable and budget-friendly;

6. Diversity and cultural experience. Hungary offers diversity not only in food but also in culture. While visiting this country, you will be able to discover new aspects of art, music and traditions.

Who is eligible for a Hungarian Digital Nomad visa?

The following groups of persons are eligible for a Hungarian Digital Nomad visa:

1. Third-country nationals;

2. Persons using a laptop, phone, etc. for work;

3. Persons with a valid employment contract outside Hungary;

4. Persons holding shares in a company outside Hungary;

5. Persons with their own company outside Hungary;

6. Persons who are not engaged in profitable activities in Hungary. 

If you are planning to move to Hungary to work remotely, you should familiarize yourself with the main conditions of this program.

First, this visa is intended for citizens of non-EU countries. It allows people from these countries to work remotely in Hungary without the need to obtain another type of visa.

Secondly, the key requirement is the ability to work remotely. This means that your work must be related to a foreign company or your own business that can be managed via the Internet.

Thirdly, to obtain this visa, you need to have a stable income of at least 3000 euros per month for the last six months before applying. You must prove your financial stability and the ability to maintain this level of income during your stay in Hungary.

Fourth, you are not allowed to engage in gainful activity in Hungary during your stay on this visa. This means that your activity or business must be based outside the country.

Finally, the Digital Nomad visa allows for long-term stays in Hungary of more than 90 days within a 180-day period. This means that it is suitable for those who plan to stay and work in the country for a long time.

Documents required to obtain a White Card in Hungary 2024

Documents required to apply for a Hungarian Digital Nomad visa:

1. A completed visa application form;

2. Valid passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months;

3. Two photographs. Photos must be 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) in size. The head must be within 1 -1 3/8 inches (25-35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head;

4. Certificate of income. You must have a minimum of 2000 euros ($2045.16) per month. You can submit an employment contract that shows your salary, a tax certificate, bank statements, or any other documents that confirm your income;

5. Proof of accommodation. To confirm your accommodation, you will need either a hotel reservation, a lease agreement, or a rental agreement;

6. Valid health insurance. You need health insurance that covers all expenses during your stay in Hungary;

7. A valid return flight ticket. The return ticket must show the date of return from Hungary.

For safe relocation to any country in the world, obtaining citizenship and employment, take the advice of an international lawyer. We help to solve complex and simple issues for your comfort and safety in any part of the world. 

How to apply for a Hungarian digital nomad visa in 2024 

The process of obtaining a Hungarian visa for digital nomads involves two main applications: applying for an entry visa at the Hungarian embassy in your country and applying for a White Card upon arrival in Hungary. Here is a detailed step-by-step description of these procedures:

Step 1: Apply for a Hungarian digital nomad visa in your home country

1. Preparation of documents. Make a list of required documents, which usually include an application, passport, photos, insurance policy, etc;

2. Make an appointment at the Hungarian embassy. Find the nearest Hungarian embassy to submit your visa application. Make an appointment or contact the embassy to schedule a visa interview;

3. Fill out the application forms. Download and fill in the required application forms, indicating the purpose of your stay as “remote work”;

4. Submit the application and pay the visa fee. Apply for a visa by paying the visa application fee;

5. Waiting for visa approval. After submitting your application, wait for the decision, usually the processing time is up to 30 days.

Step 2: Applying for a white card in Hungary

1. Submit the application to the NDGAP. Apply for a White Card at the National Department for the Guardianship of Foreigners (NDGAP) in your district;

2. Payment of the service fee. Pay the service fee for submitting the White Card application;

3. Receive the White Card. After your application is approved, NDGAP will send you the White Card by mail.

This step-by-step process will help you to efficiently apply for a digital nomad visa in Hungary and obtain the necessary permits to work in the country. Remember the importance of timely preparation of documents and compliance with all program requirements.

Digital nomad visa cost in Hungary 2024

Applying for a Hungarian Digital Nomad visa involves a number of mandatory costs that you need to consider when planning your trip. The visa application fee consists of several components:

1. Visa fee. This is the initial fee you pay when applying for a visa. The amount of the visa fee is approximately 110 euros. You can pay this fee at the Hungarian embassy or consulate, as well as online through the web platform provided by the consular service;

2. Service fee for a residence permit. After the visa application is approved, you will need to pay a service fee for the issuance of the White Card. This fee also amounts to about 110 euros and can be paid at the office of the National Directorate of the Police for Foreigners (NDGAP) in Hungary or at a diplomatic mission;

3. Visa extension fee. If you need to extend your visa, you will have to pay an additional service fee for visa extension at the NDGAP office. The cost of this service is approximately 23,000 HUF;

4. Additional costs for certain categories of citizens. For third-country nationals who are citizens of a visa-free country and legally reside in Hungary, there is an additional fee for issuing a residence permit. The administrative fee for this service is about 24,000 HUF and is paid when applying through the NDGAP electronic platform “Enter Hungary”.

As a digital nomad who stays in Hungary for at least 183 days, you become a tax resident of this country and have an obligation to pay taxes, which include personal income tax and social contributions.

Hungary has relatively low tax rates. The personal income tax rate is 15%, and the social security tax rate for the employee is 18.5%. The employer is also obliged to pay social security contributions of 13%.

In your case, the obligation to pay social security contributions will depend on your status and type of employment. If you are self-employed, you may have to pay social security contributions based on your income. If you are employed by a Hungarian employer, they are responsible for withholding contributions from your salary and transferring them to the Hungarian social security authorities.

The tax system also provides for other rates, such as corporate income tax of 9%, value added tax (VAT) of 27% and real estate tax of 4%. These taxes are levied in accordance with the law and reflect the Hungarian financial system, contributing to the development of the economy and social security.

Igor Usyk - Head of Migration department at VisitWorld

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

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