Hungary Cultural Knowledge Exam for Permanent Residence

Since the start of 2025, most people applying for permanent residence in Hungary have to pass a cultural knowledge exam. It is a newer requirement that catches many applicants off guard, so here is what it involves and how to prepare.

What is the cultural knowledge exam?

Introduced on 1 January 2025 under Hungary’s reformed immigration rules, the cultural knowledge exam (kulturális ismeretek vizsga) is a written test about Hungary that most applicants for permanent residence now have to pass. It is taken in Hungarian, in Budapest, and is run by the Budapest Government Office, which also publishes the syllabus and study materials.

What it covers

The exam draws on six subject areas:

• National symbols and holidays.
• Major events in Hungarian history.
• European and Hungarian cultural figures.
• The institutions of the Fundamental Law, Hungary’s constitution.
• The rights and duties of citizens.
• Europe and Hungary in everyday life.

Format, language, and fee

The exam is written and taken in Hungarian, so a working level of the language is essential. It is sat in Budapest, and the fee is 20,000 HUF per sitting. Because it is held in Hungarian, preparing the language alongside the content matters just as much as learning the facts.

How many attempts you get

You can take the exam up to three times. If you fail three times, further residence applications can be refused, so it is worth preparing thoroughly rather than treating the first sitting as a trial run.

Who is exempt

You do not have to take the exam if you:

• have already passed a Hungarian cultural knowledge exam;
• are under 14 years old;
• are under court-appointed guardianship; or
• are applying for a national-interest residence card.

How to prepare

Start with the official syllabus and materials from the Budapest Government Office, and build up your Hungarian in parallel. Much of the content, the history, national symbols, and the constitution, overlaps with the citizenship process, so our guide to Hungarian citizenship requirements is a useful companion. If permanent residence is your goal, see our permanent residence page for the wider requirements.

Permanent residence rules have tightened recently. If you would like help with your application, our partner immigration lawyers can guide you through it.

Frequently asked questions