How to Apply for the Hungary Digital Nomad Visa

You can get a White Card if you work for a company outside Hungary and do your job from Hungary using digital technology, or if you own a share in a profitable company outside Hungary and manage it from Hungary using digital technology. You can’t apply if you work in Hungary or own a share in a Hungarian company.

You need proof of your job or business outside Hungary, proof of income showing at least EUR 3,000 per month for at least 6 months before you apply, certificate of educational attainment (diploma/degree), proof of a place to stay in Hungary, proof of health insurance, proof of exit plans (valid passport AND travel ticket OR sufficient funds for travel), and a facial photo.

You can’t get a White Card if you meet the conditions for other residence permits (like for self-employment or investment), have a student residence permit, are posted in Hungary, have applied for or been granted refugee status or protection, have tolerated status or a suspended expulsion, hold an EC residence permit or EU residence card, or are in the EU for an intra-corporate transfer or as a highly qualified worker.

Third-country nationals are people who are not from Hungary and do not have the right to move and live freely in Hungary, like EEA nationals or their family members. This also includes stateless persons.

Apply at a Hungarian embassy or consulate in your home country or where you live. Visa-free nationals can apply online through Enter Hungary or in person at the NDGAP office in Hungary.

It usually takes 21 days to process the White Card application, but it can take longer if more documents are needed. The final decision is usually made within 30 days from when you submit your application.

The White Card residence permit is valid for up to 1 year. It can be extended once for an additional year, for a maximum total of 2 years. Note that the expiry date of the residence permit is set so that your travel document is valid for at least 3 months beyond the permit’s expiry date.

No, the White Card residence permit can only be extended once for the same purpose. The maximum total stay is 2 years.

You can extend your White Card once, using the Enter Hungary platform. You must have a valid permit when you apply and have lived in Hungary for at least 90 days in any 180-day period before applying. Apply no later than 30 days before your current permit expires.

The NDGAP will withdraw your White Card residence permit if you work for or on behalf of an employer in Hungary or if you acquire a share in a Hungarian company.

No, during the validity of the White Card and even after it expires, you cannot apply for a different type of residence permit for another purpose. This is a critical restriction of the White Card.

Family members of a White Card holder or applicant cannot be granted a residence permit for family reunification. The only exception is if a White Card holder gives birth to a child in Hungary during the permit’s validity. In this case, the child will receive a residence permit for family reunification.

No, third-country nationals holding a White Card cannot be granted a national long-term residence card.

No, the Hungary digital nomad visa does not directly lead to permanent residency or citizenship. It’s primarily designed for temporary remote work and doesn’t establish the continuous residency required for these longer-term statuses.

If your residence permit application is refused, you can appeal the decision within 8 days of notification. The appeal should be submitted to the authority of first instance or at the Hungarian diplomatic or consular mission where the application was submitted.

An appeal can be dismissed without examination if it is received after the deadline, not submitted by an authorized person, introduces new facts that were known before the decision was taken, or is submitted without indicating its grounds or cause.

Yes, one common issue that could delay your application is the need to supply the Immigration Office with additional documents after the application process has already begun. Ensuring all necessary documents are provided promptly — and that they are properly authenticated and translated — can expedite the decision-making process.

To expedite the process, you can submit an “Urgency Request Letter” with an explanation and documentation verifying an important reason for the expedited decision. To get updates on your application status, you can visit the Immigration Office if you applied locally, send emails (though these are often not productive), or authorize someone to track the case on your behalf. If you used the Enter Hungary system, you can check for updates such as letters requesting more documents, your case being moved to the “Closed Cases” section, or the issuance of your QR-code based address card, which indicates an approved procedure.

To prove financial stability, applicants should provide bank statements for the last 6 months, showcasing continuous and stable financial conditions. If you have multiple bank accounts or services like Revolut and Wise, you can include those as well. Documents verifying high-value assets, such as bonds or stocks, can also be submitted. Cryptocurrency is a grey area, but it has been accepted in some cases when paired with more traditional savings.

Non-mandatory documents that can strengthen the application include ID documents and proof of cohabitation if you have a local partner (not marital, as that would create eligibility for the Family Reunification Residence Permit), documents verifying Hungarian language skills, or evidence of investments in Hungary.

To obtain health insurance as a digital nomad, you can explore private insurance options if your employment abroad does not provide coverage. One popular option is the TESTŐR insurance package from Generali Zrt, which includes hospital stay and accident insurance for approximately 46,000 Ft per year. More extensive private options are also available from providers like Medicover and Generali.

Medicover and Generali are commonly used providers. The TESTŐR package from Generali is a good option for minimal investment and can be arranged online. However, we recommend comparing multiple options to find coverage that best suits your needs.

Yes, digital nomads can establish a sole trader business or a company in Hungary, which makes them eligible for a Gainful Activity Residence Permit. However, if you do this while holding a White Card, your White Card will be withdrawn, and you cannot apply for another residence permit during or after the White Card’s validity.

Yes, you can open a bank account in Hungary as a digital nomad. However, the process may be easier at some banks than others. Having your residence permit can facilitate the account opening process.

It’s recommended to provide proof of accommodation that covers as much of your stay in Hungary as possible, ideally for the entire year. However, providing accommodation proof for the duration of the application process (a few months) can also be acceptable. The important thing is to demonstrate a commitment to residing in Hungary.

You can secure a long-term rental agreement or lease contract before entering the country. Alternatively, you can provide documentation for a series of short-term rentals that cover the entire year. Make sure the documents are clear and legitimate, and include the necessary details such as the property address, rental dates, and contact information for the property owner or manager.

For applications submitted at consulates abroad, a booking is typically required as part of the application. You need to show either a valid ticket OR sufficient funds to purchase a ticket, not both. No ticket is necessary for showing the intention to leave Hungary — a declaration is part of the application form.

It is not possible to definitively verify that one will not overstay. The declaration in the application form serves this purpose. You must also show proof of exit — a valid passport AND travel ticket OR sufficient funds.

Yes, a one-way ticket is acceptable for an embassy application, as long as you can demonstrate sufficient funds to purchase a departure ticket if needed.