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Hungary is a landlocked Central European country, and a member of the European Union. It is located on the Pannonian plain and has borders with Slovakia to the north, with Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. Its over 93,028 sq. m. are inhabited by almost 10 million people.
Its capital and most populated city is Budapest, as well as its main industrial, trade and transport center. Considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Budapest has several World Heritage Sites, including, on the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle district, Andrássy Avenue, the Heroes’ Square and its Metro, the second oldest in the world. Its official language is Hungarian and its legal tender currency is the Hungarian Florint (HUF), and for now, there is no set date for for the adoption of the euro.
| Residence permit types | Permanent Residence Card |
Time needed to obtain temporary residence permit (approx.) | approx. 21 days |
Temporary residence permit validity | 1 year |
| Documents for obtaining temporary residence | Birth certificate; Deed of adoption; Marriage certificate; Proof of family relations to EEA citizen; Proof of financial support; Proof of health insurance; Proof of accommodation. |
| Mandatory registrations with state authorities (i.e. with the population/municipality register) | EEA nationals must communicate their residence to the regional directorate of jurisdiction. The client must appear before the competent authority in person, in order to obtain the registration certificate. |
| Dependents can join the temporary permit holder (Yes/No) | Yes |
| Temporary or permanent residency for investment purposes | No |
| Minimum temporary residence before applying for permanent residence | 6 months |
| Documents for obtaining permanent residence | Birth certificate; Deed of adoption; Marriage certificate; Proof of family relations to EEA citizen; Proof of financial support; Proof of health insurance; Proof of accommodation. |
| Naturalization requirements | 1. A valid Hungarian ID card 2. A valid Hungarian passport |
| Citizenship after permanent residence | After 8 years of residence |
Anyone can obtain permanent residence for Hungary (and thereby the EU) if they have a reason to stay in Hungary and integrate into the society. The words permanent residence naturally mean that one must actually live in the country and have a registered address.
The Hungarian residence permit may be issued to non-EEA nationals for the pursuit of gainful activity. Non-EEA nationals intending to reside in the country and work self-employed or establish a business, cooperative or some other legal entity, or as a member of the executive, representative or supervisory board of such entity, are eligible for a Hungarian residence permit.
The purpose of the self-employed gainful activity may be verified by:
– A private entrepreneurial license, or
– Business Plan, or
– Small-scale agricultural producer license, or
– Professional service contract, or
– Any other reliable means.
In the case of engaging in a gainful activity by being owner or director or executive officer of a company in Hungary, the purpose of entry and residency will be verified if:
– The company employs at least three Hungarian citizens or persons with the right of free movement and residence in full time employment for at least six consecutive months, legitimately, without any interruption, or
– The residence of the applicant in the territory of Hungary is essential for the company, and the business plan enclosed with the application contains sufficient information to ascertain that the business will prosper to ensure the applicant’s subsistence. The contents of the business plan must be verified by credible means, such as, in particular, by supplying a work contract, a personal services contract, an agreement, or a supply or sales contract.
The Residence permit has a validity of 3 years, renewable for 3 more years, provided that the resident still conducts an economic activity. Family members can be included (Spouse, child, parent).
Once a Residence permit is obtained, you may apply for a EU Blue card, which will entitle you to travel visa-free across the European Union.
After 5 years of continuous residence in Hungary, you may apply for an EC Permanent Residence card, with a validity of 5 years, renewable. After 8 years of residence (temporary or permanent), you may be eligible to apply for Hungarian citizenship. You will be required to pass an examination in basic constitutional studies in the Hungarian language.
The required period for citizenship may be shortened if you were born in Hungary (5 years), married to a Hungarian citizen or parent of Hungarian citizen (3 years), you have Hungarian ancestors (immediate after getting your residency card) or by decision of the President of Hungary.
EEA nationals may apply directly for an Interim Permanent Residency Card (provided that the above requirements are met), which has a 5-year validity, renewable. After 5 years, they may apply for a Permanent Residence Card, which is valid indefinitely.
For non-EU citizens
In the first year you will get a Visa at the Consulate which you can travel into Hungary with. This Visa is valid for 30 days from the date you entered the Schengen area. During this period you will need to go to the Hungarian Immigration Office in person to receive the final Schengen Residence Permit and to arrange the Address Registration.
In the second year Non-EU citizens can obtain a residence permit at the Hungarian Immigration Office. You need to prove your employment (Work permit and labour agreement/employment contract) and your accommodation (i.e. rental agreement).
The Immigration Card can be obtained someone who:
The following people can apply for an immigration card already after one year:
This permit allows you to:
You may be gainfully employed in Hungary.
Unrestricted entry and longer term stay.
This permit does not allow you to:
Hungary offers residence permits to foreign citizens who want to live in this country and enjoy prospects almost the same as the citizens of Hungary. Furthermore, as this country is a part of the Schengen zone, any person with a Hungary residence permit can travel Schengen area visa-free. A person should select Hungary as his/her residing country because Hungary offers a high-class lifestyle at low costs, and people prefer to start their businesses in this country
As a member of the European Union and the Schengen zone, Hungary is among the 30 most-visited destinations on the planet. The country is perfectly located in the center of Europe and boasts a rich and diverse culture of music, film, food and literature, as well as universal health care. Established in 2012, the Investor Residency Bond Program offers applicants a host of advantages:
The statutory procedure for accepted foreign direct investment in the Investor Residency Bond Program includes the purchase of special Hungarian government bonds in the amount of €300,000 with a maturity of five years. At maturity, the original capital is returned to the investor without accrued interest.
Legislation dictates that the program investment is used to purchase bonds that are issued by a Residency Bond Agent approved by the Hungarian authorities. The agent, in turn, invests that amount in the Hungarian government bonds. This transaction is subject to a Subscription Agreement with the designated enterprise, which must be licensed for the main applicant’s geographic region. The government bonds are assigned for the program only and cannot be used for trading on the public or the secondary market.
Once the security is issued to the investor, the Residence Bond Agent will provide an irrevocable declaration certifying that a Treasury bond with a nominal value of €300,000 and a five-year maturity will be purchased using the funds received from the investor within 45 days of his/her residence permit being issued. In addition to the investment, applicants are also required to cover all processing and visa application fees.
Documents for proof of means of subsistence in Hungary:
– A statement from a Hungarian or foreign financial institution concerning the applicant’s bank account, or
– an income certificate issued by the tax authority for the previous year, or
– an income certificate issued by the employer, or
– a certificate issued by the employer and/or tax authority as proof of regular income received from abroad, or
– other reliable means.
Documents on Hungarian accommodation:
– A residential lease contract in proof of the rental of a residence, or
– a document on accommodation by courtesy, or
– documentary evidence to verify the reservation of accommodation and payment;
– a statement on boarding (dormitory) services, or
– a document for proof of ownership of a home, in the form of abstract of title issued within 30 days to date, or
– a real estate sales contract and a copy of the decision of the competent Budapest or county government agency granting permission for the acquisition of a real estate property, or
– other documents.
Documents on comprehensive health insurance
Documents evidencing your means of exit:
– You should provide a statement undertaking the commitment of voluntary departure of the EU if your application is refused,
– a valid passport or the permits necessary to return to your country of origin, or any other non-EU country, and
– a valid ticket for departure, or sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket, or a means of transport.
Dual citizenship is recognized in Hungary. You are not required to renounce your previous nationality to become a citizen of Hungary.
As a part of the European Union (EU) and Schengen Treaty, Hungary is an attractive location for companies and talent abroad. If your company is planning to open a new location in Hungary, however, you need to understand all the different regulations and laws. For example, do you know how to get a work visa in Hungary for every foreign employee?
The Hungarian labor law is built with the interests of locals and EU citizens in mind. In other words, these two categories have the right to work in the first place. If a Hungarian employer wishes to hire a specialist from a country outside the European Union, a special permit is required. For that purpose, information about the vacancy must be submitted to the local labour office. In order for the application to be approved, three basic prerequisites must be fulfilled:
No Hungarian or EU citizen has applied for the position for at least 15 days;
The experience, education and qualifications of the foreigner are appropriate for the job;
The foreign specialist’s satisfactory state of health is confirmed (medical certificate).
From this we can conclude that it is quite difficult to find a job in Hungary, but the requirements in other developed countries are identical. If you compare the level of competition and add relatively low wages, which are not very attractive to EU citizens, the Hungarian labor market is quite accessible. At least professionals, especially those with knowledge of Hungarian, sometimes only English, have a good chance of employment.
For some workers from abroad permission from the labor office is not required at all, so the procedure for moving to Hungary is greatly simplified, for example:
Professional athletes with a valid employment contract.
Researchers and artists who work in Hungary at the invitation of one of the accredited universities or cultural institutions.
Managers of representative offices of foreign companies in Hungary.
Top managers in Hungarian companies with foreign capital.
Employees of diplomatic departments.
Employees of companies with a significant share of foreign investment, provided that the number of foreign specialists does not exceed 2% of the total staff.
Key employees holding positions in Hungarian firms on the basis of international agreements.
In the case of an approved job position in Hungary for a foreigner and a work permit, a long-term visa (type D) is issued at the Hungarian consulate. The processing time of a visa application with the possibility of employment can last up to two months. After arrival, one must apply to the Hungarian Immigration Office for a residence permit. Usually the first work permit is issued for one year with the right of further extension.
Important. Follow all the requirements of the local authorities and work officially. Otherwise you face fines and a ban on entry into Hungary for up to 10 years.
Unfortunately Hungarian salaries today are among the lowest in the EU. If your main goal of labor immigration to Hungary is to increase your income level many times over, forget it. On the other hand, these are quite acceptable figures. According to the local statistical office, the average wage in Hungary in 2022 – 1,205 euros per month, and after deducting taxes remains about 800 euros.
All non-EU citizens must have a work visa and work permit to live and work in Hungary. As the employer, you’re responsible for the majority of the process, including providing documents to the immigration authorities. Some of the options include:
In addition to a work permit, your employees will need a Hungary work visa. Available visa types follow:
