Hungarian Visas & Residency Permits

Complete overview of every Hungarian residence permit type. Find the right permit for your situation, compare options, and get expert guidance.

Hungary offers a range of residence permits for third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA nationals), each designed for a specific purpose and situation. This page gives you a complete overview of every permit type available. If you are visiting for a short stay rather than relocating, see our Hungary visa requirements page instead.

Most Commonly Sought Permits

If you’re a remote worker, entrepreneur, or professional relocating to Hungary, one of these is most likely what you’re looking for.

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White Card vs Guest Self-Employment

These two permits are the most commonly confused. Here’s how they differ:

White Card Guest Self-Employment
Best for Remote workers employed by or owning a business outside Hungary Freelancers, consultants, and entrepreneurs setting up in Hungary
Business in Hungary Not allowed Required / Expected
Max duration 2 years 3 years
Income requirement EUR 3,000/month for 6 months 24× Hungarian minimum wage annually
Family reunification Not available Allowed after 1 year
Long-term residence Not available Not available
We assist ✅ Yes ✅ Yes

All Permit Types

🖥️ Remote Work & Self-Employment

White Card (Digital Nomad Visa)
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For third-country nationals with a verified employment relationship or business ownership outside Hungary, performing their work remotely from Hungary using digital technology, without working for or owning a company in Hungary.

Duration: Up to 2 years Income: EUR 3,000/month Family: Not available
Guest Self-Employment Permit
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For third-country nationals performing independent work for remuneration, or acting as owner or managing director of a business organisation in Hungary. Intended for people actively building their professional life in Hungary, not remote workers.

Duration: Up to 3 years Income: 24× minimum wage annually Family: After 1 year

👔 Employment

Employment Permit
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For third-country nationals working in Hungary under an employment contract, or fulfilling an agreement with a Hungarian employer based on an existing employment relationship with a foreign employer.

⚠️ Currently restricted to citizens of the Philippines, Georgia, and Armenia only.
Hungarian Card
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For third-country nationals with higher professional qualifications (as specified by ministerial decree), professional sportspeople, professional coaches, performers, or film production workers, working under an employment contract or as a managing director in Hungary.

EU Blue Card
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For highly qualified third-country nationals with tertiary education or significant professional experience, working in a position requiring high qualifications within the EU.

Guest Workers
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For third-country nationals working for an employer registered as a preferential employer or a qualified temporary work agency in Hungary, undertaking work permitted by relevant employment regulations.

National Card
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For third-country nationals as defined by Government Decree (primarily Serbian and Ukrainian nationals), working in Hungary under an employment relationship including through a temporary work agency.

Employment for Investment
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For third-country nationals whose employment is part of a government-approved investment project in Hungary, where the employer has concluded an agreement with the minister responsible for foreign economic affairs.

Seasonal Employment
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For third-country nationals undertaking seasonal work in Hungary.

⚠️ Restricted to agricultural sectors only: plant production, forest management, animal breeding, and fishery.
Intra-Corporate Transfer
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For third-country nationals transferred from a parent company in a third country to a subsidiary in the EU, holding a chief executive or expert position, or as a trainee with tertiary education.

Posted Work
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For third-country nationals holding a valid employment residence permit from an EU Member State, posted to Hungary to work under the direction of their posting business for a limited period.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family

Family Reunification
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For third-country national family members of individuals holding eligible Hungarian residence permits, or of Hungarian nationals. Note: not all permit types allow family reunification. Notably, White Card and most employment permits do not.

Duration: Varies by sponsor’s permit

🎓 Study, Research & Training

Study
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For third-country nationals admitted to or accepted by a Hungarian educational institution to pursue full-time studies or preparatory courses in public or tertiary education.

Research
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For third-country nationals conducting a research project in Hungary under an agreement with an accredited Hungarian research organisation.

Traineeship
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For third-country nationals undertaking a traineeship in Hungary, having a recent tertiary education qualification or pursuing relevant studies, and possessing the necessary language skills.

Training
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For third-country nationals participating in a scholarship-based training course in Hungary provided by the Government or a Ministry.

Seeking a Job or Starting a Business
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For third-country nationals who have completed research or studies in Hungary and are seeking employment or planning to start a business related to their field of study or research.

🏠 Long-Term & Permanent Residence

National Residence Card
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For third-country nationals who have resided legally and continuously in Hungary for at least 3 years (or meet specific family/ancestry criteria), granting indefinite right of residence. Requires passing the Hungarian Cultural Knowledge Exam.

Min. stay: 3 years legal residence Exam: Hungarian Cultural Knowledge Exam required
EU Residence Card
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For third-country nationals who have resided legally in Hungary for at least 5 years (or held an EU Blue Card for 2+ years in Hungary and 5+ years in the EU), granting indefinite right of residence. Requires passing the Hungarian Cultural Knowledge Exam.

Min. stay: 5 years legal residence Exam: Hungarian Cultural Knowledge Exam required
Permanent Residence Card
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For EEA nationals who have resided legally and continuously in Hungary for at least 5 years (or meet specific early retirement/incapacity criteria), granting permanent residence status.

Eligibility: EEA nationals only Min. stay: 5 years
Guest Investor
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For third-country nationals whose entry and stay in Hungary is considered to be in the national economic interest due to their investments in the country.

Hungarian Citizenship (Naturalization)
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For long-term residents of Hungary seeking full citizenship through naturalization. Requires continuous legal residence (typically 8 years), basic Hungarian language ability, and passing the cultural knowledge exam.

Min. stay: 8 years (reduced for spouses) Exam: Cultural knowledge + language interview

🌍 Other Purposes

Medical Treatment
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For third-country nationals receiving medical treatment in Hungary, or accompanying a minor child or family member in need of medical support.

Official Purposes
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For third-country nationals residing in Hungary for diplomatic, governmental, journalistic, educational, scientific, or cultural official purposes under international agreements or cooperation.

Voluntary Service
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For third-country nationals participating in voluntary service programmes, including the European Voluntary Service, seeking to reside in Hungary.

Temporary Residence Permit (Working Holiday)
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For third-country nationals from countries with bilateral working holiday agreements with Hungary, allowing temporary residence for working holidays within set limits.

Reasons of National Interest
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For third-country nationals whose residence in Hungary is deemed to be in the national interest by the Minister responsible for aliens policing and asylum, based on economic, national policy, cultural, or sports considerations.

EU Long-Term Mobility (Research)
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For third-country nationals holding an EU residence permit, seeking long-term mobility for research in Hungary, or their family members.

📌 Important Notes

Employment Permit nationality restriction: The Employment Permit is currently only available to citizens of the Philippines, Georgia, and Armenia. Nationals of other countries cannot apply for this permit type regardless of their employment situation.
Seasonal Employment sector restriction: The Seasonal Employment permit applies only to agricultural work (plant production, forest management, animal breeding, fishery). It does not cover hospitality, tourism, construction, or other industries.
Long-term residence requirements: Both the National Residence Card and EU Residence Card require applicants to pass the Hungarian Cultural Knowledge Examination. The exam fee is HUF 20,000 per sitting.
Family reunification restrictions: Not all permit types allow family members to join you in Hungary. White Card holders cannot sponsor family reunification at all. Guest Self-Employment holders must wait 1 year before family members can apply.

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