Studied in Hungary and want to stay and work for yourself? It is a well-trodden path. A student permit does not lead to permanent residence on its own, but self-employment is one of the recognised ways to move on from it. There are two routes, and the timing matters.
Route one: the study-to-work permit
After graduating from a Hungarian higher education institution, you can apply for a study-to-work residence permit. It gives you up to nine months to find a job or set up a business, without having to leave the country in the meantime. Two things to know:
- You must apply no later than 15 days before your student permit expires, so plan ahead.
- You need to show funds to support yourself, for example a bank statement or regular income from abroad.
Once your business is up and running within that window, you switch the study-to-work permit to a residence permit based on your gainful activity, in this case the guest self-employment permit.
Route two: straight to guest self-employment
You do not have to go through the study-to-work stage. Many graduates apply for the guest self-employment permit directly. In fact, your chances are often better if you apply before your student permit expires rather than after, so it is worth deciding early which route suits you.
What you will need in place
- A registered business, either as a sole trader or through your own company.
- Proof that you can support yourself, and a business that can meet the permit’s income requirement.
- An understanding of the ongoing obligations, especially the income threshold and quarterly reporting that come with the self-employment permit.
A note on the limits of a student permit
It helps to know what a student permit does not do, so you plan the right move. Time spent studying does not count towards permanent residence, and you cannot switch a student permit directly to family reunification, except in narrow cases. Moving to a work or self-employment permit is the standard way to build towards staying long term, which is exactly why this route is so common.
Timing is the tricky part here, miss the window and you may have to restart from abroad. Our business and self-employment service connects you with a lawyer who can plan the switch around your dates. Book a consultation while you still have time.
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch from a student permit to self-employment in Hungary?
Yes. Self-employment is a recognised way to move on from a student permit. You can use the study-to-work permit first, or apply for the guest self-employment permit directly, ideally before your student permit expires.
What is the study-to-work permit?
A residence permit for graduates of Hungarian institutions that gives up to nine months to find a job or start a business in Hungary, after which you switch to a permit based on that work. You must apply at least 15 days before your student permit expires.
Do I need to set up a business first?
To move onto the guest self-employment permit you need a registered business, as a sole trader or through your own company, plus proof you can support yourself and meet the permit’s income requirement.
Does time as a student count towards permanent residence?
No. Time on a student permit does not count towards permanent residence, and you cannot switch directly to family reunification except in narrow cases. Moving to a work or self-employment permit is the usual onward route.