Residence permit for EU citizens

Hungary regulates various procedures for issuing residence permits to citizens of the European Union and non-citizens of the European Union. If you are an EU citizen, you must apply for a registration card. Since 1 July, 2007 year, EU citizens have received a registration card instead of an unlimited residence permit in Hungary. You do not need to renew this residence card if you work or study in Hungary. While granting a work permit as proof of your work depends on bilateral agreements between Hungary and your country.

As an EU resident, you are required to provide proof of your residence, work and funds to cover your expenses and your family's expenses in Hungary. After collecting the documents, he / she will immediately receive a registration card from the Immigration Service. After receiving your registration card, the Immigration Service will send you the address. Please note that your registration card is only valid together with your address card and passport. 

Residence permit for non EU citizens

If you are not an EU citizen, you will need to apply for a residence permit at your local immigration office before your visa expires. In the first year, you will receive a visa at the consulate, with which you can travel to Hungary. However, this visa is only valid for 30 days from the date of entry into the Schengen area. During these 30 days, you must visit the Hungarian immigration office to arrange registration of the address and obtain a final residence permit in Schengen. If you are not an EU citizen, you can get a residence permit in Hungary from the Hungarian Immigration Office for the second year. This entire procedure can last up to 30 days, during which you must confirm your residence and work through an employment contract or work permit. 

Business residence permit

Hungary offers temporary and permanent residence permits to business owners who play an active role in their company as directors or managing partners. To do this, you need to do the following:

Create a Hungarian company

Prepare an appropriate business plan

Make sure that all the requirements for the successful operation of the company are met.

After obtaining a business permit, your husband and children can also apply for family reunification and come to Hungary. This app is open to all nationalities.

In general, if you want to live in Hungary on the basis of a business permit, it is 

recommended to have a minimum authorized capital for doing business in the amount of 20,000 to 25,000 euros to cover all expenses, start a company, and start a business for the first year.  

EU blue card

The EU Blue Card is a residence permit issued by one of the EU countries in accordance with the EU employment program.

To apply for a blue card, the applicant must:

• have a valid employment contract or a mandatory job offer for highly qualified work for a period of at least 1 year
• meet the minimum threshold wage in the member state concerned
• for regulated professions:
• provide documents which are confirmed compliance with the requirements of national legislation
• for unregulated professions:
• provide documents which are confirmed the relevant higher professional qualifications
• present a valid travel document, visa or visa application (if necessary), and a valid residence permit or national long-term visa (if necessary)
• present a document which are confirmed the availability of health insurance (or proof that he has applied).

Furthermore, in the member state's view, the applicant should not pose a threat to public order. They may also be required to provide their address in that member state. 

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What should be the salary to get a blue card?

The annual gross salary resulting from the monthly or annual salary specified in the employment contract or mandatory job offer must be equal to or higher than the relevant salary threshold determined by the member state.

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Some member states apply the labor market test (LMT). This is a mechanism that aims to ensure that migrant workers are allowed only after employers unsuccessfully search for national employees, EU citizens (in EU member states this also means EEA employees) or third-country nationals who legally reside and have access to the labor market in accordance with national law.

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What is the validity period of the Blue Card?

In Hungary, the EU Blue Card is issued for a period from one to four years. If the employment contract is smaller, an EU Blue Card is issued for the duration of the contract plus three months. The EU blue card can be extended for four years.

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How much will it cost to apply for a blue card?

Initial Blue Card fee: 38 000 HUF. The upgrade will cost 35 000 HUF. For more information follow the link.

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How long will it take to issue a blue card?

The national law provides that the maximum processing time for issuing a blue card in Hungary is 90 days. 

Residence permit for family reunification

This permit allows a family member to accompany their family during immigration to Hungary. For example, if someone has a valid work permit for a company in Hungary, that person can bring their immediate family members with them. unfortunately, this does not apply to grandparents, but only to spouses and children.

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Who can get this permission?

• Third-country nationals (non-EU members) who join or accompany other family members of third-country nationals who have already been granted a residence permit in Hungary in the form of a residence permit or settlement permit
• Spouses
• An underage dependent offspring (including adopted children and stepsons, as well as a minor child of the spouse over whom the spouses have the right to guardianship) 

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What do I need to have to get this permission?

• A sufficient amount of funds for the duration of your stay, both at the expense of your own work, and at the expense of the work of EEA citizens or the activities received
• Bank account balance (sufficient funds for the duration of your stay)
• Sufficient income from abroad or through the sponsorship of a family member of a Hungarian citizen
• Availability of housing (lease agreement, owner's application for the right to free accommodation, confirmation that the applicant himself is the owner of residential real estate in Hungary)
• Appropriate full health insurance. 

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What does this view allow?

• You can get a paid job in Hungary
• Unlimited entry and long-term stay (90 days during any 180-day period can be spent in the Schengen countries).

This view doesn’t allow:

• Work in other Schengen countries. 

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What is the deadline for obtaining a family reunification permit?

The approximate approval period for this permit is 60 days. 

Residence permit for studying

Who can get this permission?

• Citizens/third-country nationals who wish to reside in Hungary for the purpose of studying at an accredited full-time secondary or higher education institution
• Those who participate in the preparatory course of an accredited higher education institution (if the permit is issued for the purpose of the preparatory course, it can only be extended if they enter the higher education institution).

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What are the requirements for obtaining a residence permit for the purpose of studying?

• To confirm the purpose of your residence (to obtain a study permit), you will need to 
• provide sufficient evidence in the form of a certificate of acceptance from an academic institute or in any other reliable way.
• Proper knowledge of the language must also be confirmed (the language of instruction, therefore not necessarily in Hungarian) by using the language exam documentation or a document on completed preliminary training in this language.
• It is also necessary to demonstrate the availability of sufficient funds for the duration of your stay (for example, a scholarship certificate, a bank account balance, regular bank transfers from abroad from family members-in this latter case, you may also need to check family relations).
• Appropriate full health insurance is also essential for your application.
• Proper housing by the address of residence in Hungary (lease agreement, application of the owner for the right to free accommodation, confirmation that the student himself is the owner of residential real estate in Hungary. 

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What does this residence permit allow?

You can work part-time during your studies (a separate work permit is not required as long as there is a training relationship). Part – time work is usually up to 24 hours a week during the school year, and more hours are allowed during the school holidays.

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How long does it take to issue this permit?

The permit is issued within 60 days (the permit can be issued faster if no additional information is required). 

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What is the validity period of the permit?

If the training / course is less than 2 years, the duration of training. If the training / course lasts more than 2 years, the permit is valid for a period of 1 to 2 years, and then can be extended. 

Residence permit for medical treatment

A third-country National can obtain a residence permit for medical treatment if he or she wishes to stay in Hungary for medical treatment or accompanies his or her minor child or family member because he or she cannot take care of himself or herself in Hungary. for treatment. 

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What documents should I submit?

• Treatment as an appointment accommodation can be certified by the following documents:
• An official document on the medical care received issued by a medical institution that provides
• If a family member is accompanied - a certificate of kinship.
• You must also present the following information:
• Sufficient funds for the duration of your stay or through your own work (or a reliable source of income)
• Bank account balance
• Sufficient income from abroad
• Sponsorship of a family member of a Hungarian citizen
• Sufficient housing by establishing the address of residence in Hungary (lease 
• agreement, application of the owner for the right to free accommodation, confirmation that the applicant himself is the owner of residential real estate in Hungary).

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What does this type of view allow?

The holder of a residence permit for medical treatment has the right to enter and stay in the territory of the Schengen member states without a visa for a period not exceeding 90 days within 180 days. The length of stay allowed by a residence permit is determined in such a way that the passport must be valid for at least three months longer than the residence permit. 

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What is the validity period of this type?

The residence permit for treatment expires at the end of treatment (a maximum of two years later).

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How long does it take to issue this permit?

The decision on a residence permit will be made by the regional directorate within 21 days. 

Permanent residence

For non-EU citizens

In the first year, you will receive a visa at the consulate, with which you can travel to Hungary. This visa is valid for 30 days from the date of entry into the Schengen area. During this period, you will need to contact the Hungarian immigration office in person to obtain a final residence permit in Schengen and arrange for registration of the address.

In the second year, non-EU citizens can obtain a residence permit from the Hungarian Immigration Authority. You need to confirm your place of work (work permit and employment contract) and housing (namely lease agreement). 

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Who can get an immigration card?

An immigration card can be obtained by a person who:

• has been permanently residing in Hungary for at least 3 years
• wasn’t absent from Hungary for more than 90 days a year and now lives in Hungary.
• The following individuals can apply for an immigration card as early as one year later:
• People of Hungarian origin or those who have/had Hungarian relatives
• People who are married to a Hungarian citizen or foreigner who have a Hungarian Immigration Card (who have been married for 24 months).

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What does a permanent residence permit allow?

• You can get a job in Hungary
• You have the right to unlimited entry and long-term stay in the country. 

Temporary residence permit

Currently, only citizens of New Zealand, Taiwan, Australia, Chile, Argentina, South Korea and Japan, as well as residents of Hong Kong, have a temporary residence permit. 

A temporary residence permit may be issued to a citizen of a third country:

• which suits the conditions defined by the regulations on the functioning of the working leave program, and can confirm this implementation with the relevant documents
• which isn’t subject to expulsion or exclusion and is not considered a threat to the public safety or health or national security of Hungary
• for those who have not been issued a warning about refusal of entry and residence. 

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What is the procedure for obtaining a temporary residence permit?

• To obtain a temporary residence permit, the applicant must appear in person if he is unable to appear for health reasons
• The applicant must submit the completed form along with all other required documents and pay the processing fee
• Applicants aged 6 years and older will be photographed and fingerprinted before the permit is issued. 
• Applications for a residence permit, with exceptions defined by law, are submitted to a consular official or other places authorized to accept applications for a residence permit that are valid in the applicant's country of permanent residence or citizenship
• If the regional directorate provides the applicant with a residence permit, a residence visa can also be issued at the same time, of course, everything will depend on the decision of the regional director
• The applicant may ask the police department for foreigners to send him a residence permit by mail or pick up the document in person at the regional directorate
• If the application is rejected by the authorities, the applicant may file an objection with the body that made the decision of the first instance within 8 days from the date of notification of the decision. The administrative services fee for appeals is HUF 5,500.

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What documents do you need to submit to obtain a temporary place of residence?

• A birth certificate
• Adoption certificate (if any)
• Marriage certificate (if any)
• Certificate of kinship with an EEA citizen
• Certificate of financial support; certificate of health insurance
• The proof of residence. 

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What is the processing time for a temporary residence application?

The decision on a residence permit is made by the competent authority within 21 days.

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What is the validity period of a temporary residence permit?

The temporary residence permit is valid for 1 year.

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EEA citizens must report their place of residence to the Regional Office of jurisdiction. The client must personally report to the competent authority to obtain a registration certificate. 

Naturalization and acquisition of citizenship

You can get Hungarian citizenship by naturalization. The procedure is different in each individual case.

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What is naturalization?

Naturalization is the last step in the process of integration into the Hungarian way of life. This gives you the right to vote and run.

Since Hungary recognizes dual citizenship, applicants for a Hungarian passport do not risk losing their original citizenship, provided that the country of Origin also allows dual citizenship.

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There is a regular naturalization procedure and a simplified naturalization procedure for people who are already members of a Hungarian family. 

Regular naturalization

What are the conditions for obtaining citizenship through regular naturalization?

• People may apply for naturalization as a Hungarian citizen after 8 years of continuous residence in Hungary if they:

- they have no criminal record at all

- have a stable lifestyle

- have a good character

- passed the test on basic constitutional knowledge.

• Individuals can apply for naturalization after 5 years of residence in Hungary if they:

- born in Hungary

- or lived in Hungary until the age of 18

- or are stateless persons.

• Individuals can apply for naturalization after 3 years of residence in Hungary if they:

- spouses of Hungarian citizens who have been married for three years (or are widows or widowers)

- parents of minor children of a Hungarian citizen

- people who are adopted by Hungarian citizens

- or recognized as refugees.

• Individuals may apply for naturalization if they:

- spouses of Hungarian citizens who have been married for at least ten years

- or spouses of Hungarian citizens who have been married for at least five years and have a child together

- they can provide proof of proficiency in Hungarian.

Applicants over the age of 60, people with limited legal capacity and persons with a Hungarian language diploma (from a Hungarian institution) may be exempt from the constitutional training requirement.

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How long does the procedure take?

It is assumed that the application review time is 3 months, but usually the decision is made 6-8 months after the application is submitted. 

Simplified naturalization

A simplified naturalization procedure is the process of acquiring Hungarian citizenship on the basis of a Hungarian ancestor or marriage to a Hungarian citizen, if, among other things, the applicant has at least an average level of knowledge of the Hungarian language.

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Who can apply?

An applicant may lodge a simplified naturalization application if

his / her ancestor was a Hungarian citizen or probably of Hungarian descent

or has been married to a Hungarian citizen for at least ten years

or was married to a Hungarian citizen for five years and had children

confirms knowledge of the Hungarian language (this is checked by the body that accepts the application)

according to Hungarian law, he/she has no criminal record and no criminal proceedings have been opened against the applicant

his / her naturalization does not violate the public and national security of Hungary. 

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What is the method of applying for simplified naturalization?

The application must be submitted in person after making an appointment.

An adult applicant (over the age of 18) can apply in person. Under the age of 18, the application can be submitted by a legal representative on behalf of a minor applicant.

Important: all applicants, regardless of age (namely everyone who applies for Hungarian citizenship) must be present when applying. 

For applicants under the age of 18, a statement of consent from both parents must be attached (namely, both parents must appear at the time of application). If only one of the parents is present at the time of submitting the application, the application must be accompanied by an application for the consent of the absent parent, certified by a notary or the Hungarian consulate. If the parents are divorced or one of the parents is under guardianship, you must attach documents confirming these situations. 

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For more information about the documents that need to be submitted, follow the link.

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What is the duration of the procedure?

The process usually lasts 3 months, which can be extended by 60 days. The application review period does not include any additional time required, for example, to verify additional documents that the authorities require from the applicant. 

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How much does it cost?

The procedure is free of charge. Expenses that may be: authentication of submitted original documents (translations / copies) - if they must be certified by the consulate.  

Eligibility for residence permit in Hungary for foreign investors

1. Real estate investment fund

• Acquisition of investment certificates issued by a real estate fund registered with the National Bank of Hungary for a minimum amount of EUR 250,000
• Conditions:

- At least 40% of the fund's assets must be invested in Hungarian residential real estate.

- Investments must be held for at least five years.

- The fund managers must have a financial license and comply with the fund management policy.

- Fund managers must have a facility security certificate or be registered with the Office for the Protection of the Constitution.

2. Acquisition of real estate (note: effective from January 1, 2025)

• Acquisition of residential real estate in Hungary with a value of at least EUR 500,000.
• Conditions:

3. Donation to a Hungarian public fund

Application process and deadlines

1. Obtain a guest investor visa. Declare your investment intention when applying for a visa, although no actual investment is required at this stage.
2. After obtaining the visa, the applicant must come to Hungary and complete their investment within three months and apply for a residence permit.
3. The residence permit application with proof of investment must be submitted at the immigration office or via the Enter Hungary electronic platform within 93 days. Once all the requirements are met, no further travel to Hungary is required.
4. The application processing time is approximately 21 business days.
5. Obtain a temporary residence permit valid for 10 years. The permit can be extended for another 10 years provided that the investment is maintained.

Advantages of obtaining a residence permit in Hungary through investment

• A quick way to obtain a residence permit in Europe.
• No requirements for a minimum period of stay
• The permit covers spouse and children under 18 years of age.

The right to obtain Hungarian citizenship