Hungarian Card

What Is the Hungarian Card?

The Hungarian Card is a residence permit that combines work authorization and residence rights for qualified professionals, business owners performing actual work, and specialized workers in Hungary.

It provides:

• Legal right to work in Hungary (employment or executive role)
• Residence authorization up to 3 years (extendable for 3 more years)
• Schengen Area travel access
• Path to long-term residence after qualifying period
• Family reunification eligibility (after 1 year)
• Single application procedure (residence + work combined)

Who This Is For

You May Qualify If:

Path 1: Qualified Employee

Employment with higher professional qualifications:

• Job requires higher education or specialized professional qualification
• Hold qualification specified in ministerial decree
• Employment contract or preliminary agreement
• Work under direction of Hungarian employer

Path 2: Business Owner/Executive

Owner or managing director performing actual work:

• Own shares in Hungarian company, OR
• Serve as managing director of Hungarian entity
• Plus: Actually perform work beyond just ownership/management duties
• Company must be operational and compliant

Path 3: Specialized Workers

Designated professional fields:

• Professional athletes or sports coaches
• Performers (actors, musicians, dancers, etc.)
• Filmmakers or film production company employees

Path 4: Third-Country Employment Agreement

Posted workers from foreign employers:

• Employed by company in your home country
• Agreement exists between your employer and Hungarian company
• Sent to Hungary to fulfill this agreement
• Must have higher professional qualifications

Not suitable for:

• Citizens of Philippines, Georgia, Armenia (see Employment Permit)
• Workers without higher qualifications (see National Card for some countries)
• Digital nomads working remotely for foreign companies (see White Card)
• Highest-paid professionals (see EU Blue Card for premium salaries)

How the Process Works

Single Application Procedure

Key Requirements

Professional Qualification Requirements (Choose One):

Option 1: Specified Qualifications

• Professional qualification specified in ministerial decree for higher education
• Higher education degree matching your employment

Option 2: Professional Sports

• Professional athlete OR professional sports coach

Option 3: Performing Arts

• Professional performer (actor, musician, dancer, etc.)

Option 4: Film Industry

• Work for filmmaker OR employment with film production company registered with competent authority

Employment/Business Documentation:

For Employees:

• Preliminary employment agreement OR valid employment contract
• Contract must require higher professional qualification
• Certificate of higher education or professional qualifications
• Exception: Sports/performing arts/film may not require education certificate

For Business Owners/Managing Directors:

• Detailed statement of economic activity
• Enterprise contracts, assignment agreements
• Sales contracts, purchase agreements
• Tax authority certificate (no outstanding taxes, not in liquidation)
• Certificate of employee declaration compliance and tax payments

For Third-Country Employer Agreements:

• Agreement between foreign employer and Hungarian employer
• Plus standard employment/qualification documents

Financial Requirements:

• Sufficient means for subsistence, accommodation, return travel, healthcare
• Can be demonstrated through employment contract, bank statements, or employer certificates

Accommodation:

• Valid Hungarian address on application form

Health Insurance:

• Comprehensive health coverage in Hungary
• Via employment-based social security, international agreement, or private insurance

Travel Documents:

• Valid passport (must exceed residence period by 3+ months)

Important Restrictions & Considerations

For Business Owners: What “Actual Work” Means

This is a requirement that’s often misunderstood:

NOT Sufficient:

• Just owning shares in the company
• Just having the title “managing director”
• Simply attending board meetings
• Passive investment only

What Qualifies as “Actual Work”:

• Active day-to-day business operations
• Management of employees and business processes
• Sales, client relations, business development
• Product/service delivery
• Technical work related to business
• Strategic planning and implementation

You’ll Need to Prove:

• Detailed statement of your economic activities
• Contracts showing your involvement
• Evidence of ongoing business operations
• Tax compliance of the company
• Employee declarations and payments

Your attorney will help assess if your role meets this standard before applying.

Extension & Long-Term Path

Extending Your Hungarian Card:

• Initial permit: Up to 3 years
• Extension: Additional 3 years possible
• Must have resided 90+ days in any 180-day period
• Submit via Enter Hungary platform

After Maximum 6 Years:

• Hungarian Card not extendable beyond total of 6 years
• Must transition to different permit type or apply for long-term residence

Path to Permanent Residence:

• After 3 years of legal residence, can apply for National Residence Card (10-year permanent residence)
• Requires passing Hungarian cultural knowledge exam
• Provides indefinite residence rights

Family Reunification:

• Available after 1 year with valid Hungarian Card
• Spouse and dependent children can join you
• Family members receive residence permit (maximum 3-year validity, extendable for 3 years)

Indicative Fees

Final prices are confirmed after consultation.

Processing Timeline

Why Work With Us

What’s Not Included

Government fees:

• HUF 26,000 (approx. €65) if submitting via Enter Hungary platform
• HUF 39,000 (approx. €98) if submitting in person in Hungary
• EUR 110 if applying at Hungarian consulate abroad

Additional costs paid directly by you:

• Embassy or consular fees
• Document apostille/authentication
• Certified translations (Hungarian or English)
• Credential evaluation/recognition fees (if needed)
• Travel for biometrics (if applicable)
• Health insurance premiums
• Company registration costs (for new businesses)

Application Locations

Outside Hungary:

• Required if: You are NOT visa-exempt for Hungary
• Where: Hungarian consulate in your country of nationality or habitual residence. Check with consulate for alternative submission locations.
• Process: Submit application → Type D visa issued → enter Hungary → receive residence card

Inside Hungary:

• Only if: You are visa-exempt for Hungary AND you are currently in Hungary legally
• Where: Via Enter Hungary electronic platform or NDGAP regional office

Extensions:

• All extensions via Enter Hungary platform only
• Submit up to 90 days before current permit expires
• Must have resided 90+ days in any 180-day period