Hungary

Requirements

• Valid job offer / employment contract
• Qualification certificate (skill tiers b/c)
• Proof of subsistence, accommodation and comprehensive health insurance
• Positive employment-policy / labour-market opinion from the competent Government Office

Required Documents

• Valid passport (validity at least 3 months beyond intended permit) required
• Job offer / employment contract required
• Qualification certificate (skill tiers b/c)
• Proof of subsistence required
• Proof of accommodation required
• Comprehensive health insurance required
• One facial photograph required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Secure job offer

   Obtain a job offer / employment contract from a Hungarian employer.

2. 2

   Lodge application

   Employer and applicant lodge the single application at a Hungarian consulate or via the Enter Hungary platform.

3. 3

   Labour-market test

   Competent Government Office runs the employment-policy/labour-market test and issues its opinion within 10 days (8 days for preferred employers); this time is not counted toward the case clock.

4. 4

   OIF decision

   OIF examines (21 days) and decides within the 70-day cap.

5. 5

   Entry visa

   Consulate issues a Type D single-entry visa (valid 3 months).

6. 6

   Enter and collect card

   Enter Hungary within 3 months and give biometrics; residence card issued.

Official Sources

• Official OIF — Single Application Procedure · National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (OIF)
• Official OIF — Procedural Fees · OIF

Requirements

• Employment via a registered preferred employer or qualified labour-force lender
• Applicant's nationality on the Government-Decree eligible list
• Proof of subsistence, accommodation and health insurance

Required Documents

• Valid passport required
• Employment contract via preferred employer / labour-force lender required
• Proof of subsistence, accommodation and health insurance required
• One facial photograph required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Confirm employer status

   Employer must already be a registered preferred employer or qualified labour-force lender.

2. 2

   Lodge at consulate

   Apply at a designated Hungarian consulate.

3. 3

   Labour-market opinion

   Labour-market opinion issued within 8 days for preferred employers.

4. 4

   Decision

   21-day examination, 70-day cap.

Official Sources

• Official OIF — Residence Permit for Guest Workers · OIF

Requirements

• Preliminary or valid contract for a high-qualification job (or executive/owner role, or athlete/coach/performer/film worker)
• Higher-education/qualification certificate (not required for athletes/coaches/performers/film producers)
• Proof of subsistence, accommodation and health insurance

Required Documents

• Valid passport required
• Employment contract for a qualifying role required
• Higher-education / qualification certificate
• Proof of subsistence, accommodation and health insurance required
• One facial photograph required
• Authenticated parental consent if minor

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Secure contract

   Obtain a preliminary or valid contract for a qualifying role.

2. 2

   Apply

   Apply at a Hungarian consulate or via Enter Hungary.

3. 3

   Decision

   21-day examination, 70-day cap.

4. 4

   Extension

   Submit extension 30–90 days before expiry.

Official Sources

• Official OIF — Residence Permit for Hungarian Card · OIF

Requirements

• Employment relationship (including via temporary work agency)
• Eligible nationality (e.g., Serbia, Ukraine and expanded list)
• Proof of subsistence, accommodation and health insurance

Required Documents

• Valid passport required
• Employment contract required
• Proof of eligible nationality required
• Proof of subsistence, accommodation and health insurance required
• One facial photograph required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Lodge at designated consulate

   Serbia: Belgrade / Szabadka (Subotica); Ukraine: Kyiv / Ungvár (Uzhhorod) / Beregszász (Berehove).

2. 2

   Decision

   Standard 21-day examination, 70-day cap.

Official Sources

• Official OIF — Factsheets directory (National Card / National Residence Permit section) · OIF
• Official OIF — Procedural Fees · OIF

Requirements

• Employment in plant production, forestry, animal breeding or fishery
• Employment agreement
• Proof of funds, accommodation and health insurance

Required Documents

• Valid passport required
• Seasonal employment agreement required
• Proof of funds, accommodation and health insurance required
• One facial photograph required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Apply

   Apply at a consulate or (if visa-exempt) via Enter Hungary.

2. 2

   Decision

   21-day examination (15-day expedited if eligible), 70-day cap.

3. 3

   Extension

   Extend at least 30 days before expiry; cannot change employer without an extension application.

Official Sources

• Official OIF — Residence Permit for Seasonal Employment · OIF

Requirements

• At least 3 months prior employment within the corporate group
• Intra-group contract / assignment letter
• Degree/vocational qualification plus experience (managers/specialists) or degree (trainees)

Required Documents

• Valid passport required
• Intra-group contract / assignment letter required
• Proof of same corporate group required
• Degree/vocational qualification + experience (managers/specialists) or degree (trainees) required
• Proof of subsistence and health insurance required
• One facial photograph required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Confirm eligibility

   At least 3 months prior employment in the group plus an assignment letter.

2. 2

   Apply

   Apply at a consulate or via Enter Hungary.

3. 3

   Decision

   21-day examination, 70-day cap.

4. 4

   Extension

   Extend at least 30 days before expiry.

Official Sources

• Official OIF — Residence Permit for Intra-Corporate Transfer and Long-Term Mobility · OIF

Requirements

• Employment contract of at least 6 months requiring high qualifications
• Tertiary qualification OR (managers/IT) at least 3 years relevant experience in the prior 7 years
• Salary meeting the annual threshold (2026: HUF 1,001,048/month general; HUF 800,838 specified health roles)
• Comprehensive health insurance and Hungarian address declaration

Required Documents

• Valid passport required
• Employment contract (at least 6 months) required
• Tertiary qualification OR proof of 3 years relevant experience (managers/IT) required
• Income proof meeting the salary threshold required
• Hungarian address declaration required
• Comprehensive health insurance required
• One facial photograph required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Secure qualifying contract

   Contract of at least 6 months requiring high qualifications and meeting the salary threshold.

2. 2

   Apply

   Apply at a consulate, via Enter Hungary, or by the employer with written consent.

3. 3

   Biometrics

   Provide biometrics within 15 days of receipt.

4. 4

   Decision

   21-day examination, 70-day cap (30 days for intra-EU mobility from another member state; apply within 30 days of entry).

5. 5

   Entry and card

   Receive D-visa, enter within 3 months, card issued by post.

Official Sources

• Official OIF — EU Blue Card · OIF
• Official OIF — Procedural Fees · OIF

Requirements

• Certificate of admission to a Hungarian educational institution
• Income/scholarship proof OR notarized family support declaration
• Comprehensive health insurance and accommodation declaration

Required Documents

• Valid passport required
• Certificate of admission required
• Income/scholarship proof OR notarized family support declaration required
• Comprehensive health insurance required
• Accommodation declaration required
• Ticket / exit funds required
• One facial photograph required
• Authenticated parental consent if minor

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Apply

   Apply at a consulate or (if visa-exempt) via Enter Hungary.

2. 2

   Decision

   15-day examination, 60-day cap.

3. 3

   Extension

   Extensions require a progress statement and tuition-payment proof.

Official Sources

• Official OIF — Residence of the Student / Pupil · OIF

Requirements

• Training agreement or traineeship arrangement with a Hungarian host
• Proof of subsistence, accommodation and health insurance

Required Documents

• Valid passport required
• Training / traineeship agreement required
• Proof of subsistence, accommodation and health insurance required
• One facial photograph required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Apply

   Apply at a consulate or (if visa-exempt) via Enter Hungary.

2. 2

   Decision

   15-day examination, 60-day cap.

Official Sources

• Official OIF — Residence Permit for Training · OIF
• Official OIF — Residence Permit for Traineeship · OIF

Requirements

• Former researcher or recent graduate currently on a valid research/study permit
• Employment-registration certificate OR business-employment letter (issued within 3 months)
• Income proof and accommodation declaration

Required Documents

• Valid passport required
• Employment-registration certificate OR business-employment letter (within 3 months) required
• Income proof required
• Accommodation declaration required
• Comprehensive health insurance required
• One facial photograph required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Apply inside Hungary

   Apply via Enter Hungary only, while in Hungary, at least 15 days before the current research/study permit expires.

2. 2

   Decision

   15-day examination, 60-day cap.

3. 3

   Switch status

   During the period, may switch to Hungarian Card, EU Blue Card, or guest self-employment.

Official Sources

• Official OIF — Residence Permit for Seeking a Job or Starting a Business · OIF

Requirements

• Self-employed registration and business-activity declaration, OR executive role with company employing at least 5 Hungarian/EEA nationals full-time for at least 6 consecutive months
• Tax-authority certificate showing annual income above 24× the minimum wage (self-employed)
• Certificate of no tax/contribution debt

Required Documents

• Valid passport required
• Self-employed registration number and business-activity declaration / service contracts (self-employed)
• Proof company employs at least 5 Hungarian/EEA nationals full-time for at least 6 consecutive months (executives)
• Tax-authority certificate showing annual income above 24× minimum wage (self-employed)
• Certificate of no tax/contribution debt required
• Proof of subsistence, accommodation and health insurance required
• One facial photograph required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Apply

   Apply at a consulate or (if visa-exempt) via Enter Hungary.

2. 2

   Decision

   21-day examination, 70-day cap.

3. 3

   Enter

   Enter Hungary within 3 months.

4. 4

   Extension

   Extend 30–90 days before expiry.

Official Sources

• Official OIF — Residence Permit for Guest Self-Employment · OIF

Requirements

• Investment of at least EUR 250,000 in an MNB-registered real-estate investment fund share (5-year mandatory holding), OR
• Donation of at least EUR 1,000,000 to a public-trust higher-education institution
• Proof of legal origin of funds
• Hungarian accommodation proof

Required Documents

• Application form (PDF/Word) required
• Fund-manager/institution certificate of investment/donation OR declaration of planned investment + bank proof of funds required
• Proof of legal origin of funds required
• Valid passport required
• One facial photograph required
• Hungarian accommodation proof required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Apply for guest investor visa

   Apply for the Guest Investor Visa at a Hungarian consulate in the country of nationality/habitual residence.

2. 2

   Receive visa

   Receive a visa valid up to 6 months and enter Hungary.

3. 3

   Apply for residence permit

   Within 30 days of first legal entry, apply for the Guest Investor Residence Permit at an NDGAP regional directorate or via Enter Hungary.

4. 4

   Complete investment

   Submit proof of completed investment within the visa's validity.

5. 5

   Decision and reporting

   21-day examination, 70-day cap; report any investment-data change within 5 days; extend at least 30 days before expiry.

Official Sources

• Official OIF — Visa for Guest Investors · OIF
• Official OIF — Residence Permit for Guest Investor · OIF

Requirements

• Sponsor holds a qualifying status (not seasonal/guest-worker/employment/study/training/traineeship/voluntary-service holders)
• Proof of family relationship
• Proof of subsistence, accommodation and health insurance

Required Documents

• Valid passport required
• Relationship proof (birth/marriage/adoption certificate; DNA may be used for refugees) required
• Subsistence proof (bank statements, employer income certificate, or notarized maintenance declaration) required
• Accommodation proof required
• Comprehensive health insurance required
• One facial photograph required
• Parental consent if minor (Hungarian/English translation)

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Confirm sponsor eligibility

   Sponsor must hold a qualifying residence status.

2. 2

   Apply

   Apply at a consulate or (if visa-exempt) via Enter Hungary; biometrics within 15 days.

3. 3

   Decision

   21-day examination, 70-day cap.

4. 4

   Extension

   Extend 30–90 days before expiry.

Official Sources

• Official OIF — Residence Permit for Family Reunification · OIF

Requirements

• Hosting agreement with an accredited research organisation
• Mobility plan (dates/duration)
• Proof of subsistence and health insurance

Required Documents

• Valid passport required
• Hosting agreement required
• Mobility plan (dates/duration) required
• Proof of subsistence required
• Comprehensive health insurance required
• Exit ticket / funds required
• One facial photograph required
• Valid EU research permit (mobility cases)

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Secure hosting agreement

   Conclude a hosting agreement with an accredited research organisation.

2. 2

   Apply

   Apply at a consulate or (if visa-exempt) via Enter Hungary; extensions via Enter Hungary only.

3. 3

   Decision

   15-day examination, 60-day cap.

4. 4

   Extension

   Extend at least 30 days before expiry.

Official Sources

• Official OIF — Residence of the Researcher and His/Her Family Member · OIF

Requirements

• Remote work for a foreign employer OR ownership/role in a foreign company with real operations
• Net income of at least EUR 3,000/month, maintained throughout the stay
• May not work for or hold shares in a Hungarian company
• Accommodation proof and health insurance

Required Documents

• Valid passport required
• Certified employer statement (remote work, duration, role) OR foreign-company documents (real operation, role/shareholding, profit proof) required
• 6 months of bank statements OR income certificate proving at least EUR 3,000 net/month required
• Accommodation proof required
• Comprehensive health insurance required
• One facial photograph required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Apply

   Apply at a consulate / external service provider, or (inside Hungary, if visa-exempt) via Enter Hungary or a regional directorate.

2. 2

   Decision

   Decision cap 30 days; provide biometrics.

3. 3

   Extension

   One-time extension only (+1 year).

Official Sources

• Official OIF — White Card: Residency for Digital Nomads · OIF

Requirements

• Applicant or an ascendant was a Hungarian citizen, or descends from someone who was a Hungarian citizen before 1920 or in 1941–1945
• Applicant speaks Hungarian (simplified naturalization)
• For descent: at least one Hungarian-citizen parent at the time of birth

Required Documents

• Application / personal statement required
• Valid passport / identity document required
• Applicant's birth certificate required
• Ancestors' birth/marriage/death certificates establishing the Hungarian line required
• Marriage/divorce certificates if applicable
• Two photographs 3.5×4.5 cm

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Document the line

   Document the Hungarian-citizen ancestral or parental line.

2. 2

   File application

   File at a registrar/Kormányablak or any Hungarian consulate (simplified naturalization).

3. 3

   Oath

   Same oath-within-1-year rule as ordinary naturalization.

Official Sources

• Official Hungarian Government — The Acquisition of Hungarian Nationality · Hungarian Government (kormany.hu)
• Official Act LV of 1993 on Hungarian Citizenship (consolidated EN, National Legislation Database) · Nemzeti Jogszabálytár (NJT)

Requirements

• 3 years continuous lawful residence (or 1 year dependent ancestor; spouse married at least 2 years; former Hungarian citizen / Hungarian ancestry; minor child of long-term resident/refugee; recognized refugee)
• Certificate of the Hungarian cultural-knowledge exam
• Criminal-record certificate issued within the last 6 months
• Proof of subsistence and housing

Required Documents

• Valid passport required
• Birth certificate required
• Marriage/dissolution certificates (if applicable)
• Criminal-record certificate issued within the last 6 months required
• Certificate of the Hungarian cultural-knowledge exam required
• Proof of subsistence required
• Housing proof (deed/lease/notarized guarantee) required
• Comprehensive health insurance required
• One facial photograph required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Apply via Enter Hungary

   Apply via Enter Hungary only; provide biometrics within 15 days.

2. 2

   Decision

   70-day cap (children born in Hungary: 5 days).

3. 3

   Appeal

   Appeal within 15 days if refused.

Official Sources

• Official OIF — National Residence Card · OIF
• Official OIF — Procedural Fees · OIF

Requirements

• 5 years continuous lawful residence (Blue Card: 2 years in Hungary + 5 years total EU)
• Certificate of the Hungarian cultural-knowledge exam
• Criminal-record certificate issued within the last 6 months
• Proof of subsistence and housing

Required Documents

• Valid passport required
• Birth certificate required
• Criminal-record certificate issued within the last 6 months required
• Certificate of the Hungarian cultural-knowledge exam required
• Proof of subsistence required
• Housing proof required
• Comprehensive health insurance required
• One facial photograph required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Apply via Enter Hungary

   Apply via Enter Hungary only; same document set as the National Residence Card.

2. 2

   Decision

   70-day cap.

3. 3

   Translations

   Foreign-language documents require certified Hungarian translation plus apostille.

Official Sources

• Official OIF — EU Residence Card · OIF
• Official OIF — Procedural Fees · OIF

Requirements

• 8 years continuous lawful residence
• Clean criminal record / no pending prosecution
• Secured subsistence and residence
• No public-policy/security threat
• Passed the basic constitutional-knowledge exam in Hungarian

Required Documents

• Personal statement / application required
• Valid passport required
• Applicant's birth certificate required
• Marriage/divorce certificates
• Children's birth certificates
• Ancestors' birth/marriage/death certificates (for ancestry-based reductions)
• Two photographs 3.5×4.5 cm required
• Certificate of the constitutional/Hungarian-language exam (applicants over 14) required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Prepare application

   Prepare the application and supporting documents.

2. 2

   Submit in person

   Submit in person to a registrar at a Ministry of Internal Affairs regional office or the Budapest Government Customer Service Office (Kormányablak), or from abroad at a Hungarian consulate.

3. 3

   Forwarding

   Registrar/consul forwards the file to the Minister of the Interior within 8 days.

4. 4

   Decision

   Decision made by the President of the Republic; well-prepared cases typically resolve in about 8–12 months.

5. 5

   Oath

   On a grant, the applicant takes the oath/pledge of allegiance before a mayor/consul within 1 year, after which citizenship takes effect.

Official Sources

• Official Hungarian Government — The Acquisition of Hungarian Nationality · Hungarian Government (kormany.hu)
• Official Act LV of 1993 on Hungarian Citizenship (consolidated EN, National Legislation Database) · Nemzeti Jogszabálytár (NJT)

Requirements

• Declaration of intent to seek protection at a designated Hungarian embassy
• Authorization to travel to Hungary
• In-person application to the refugee authority; fingerprinting for applicants aged 14+

Required Documents

• Declaration of intent (Hungarian/English form) required
• Identity/travel document if available
• Any evidence supporting the protection claim

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Declaration of intent

   Declare intent to seek protection at a designated Hungarian embassy (per Foreign Affairs Decree 23/2024; Interior Decree 23/2025), on a Hungarian/English form.

2. 2

   Travel and submit

   On authorization, travel to Hungary and submit the application in person to the Regional Directorate of Budapest and Pest County.

3. 3

   Fingerprinting

   Fingerprinting for applicants aged 14+, checked against EURODAC.

4. 4

   Interview and decision

   Personal interview with an interpreter, followed by a decision.

Official Sources

• Official OIF — Asylum Procedure · OIF
• Official OIF — As a Refugee in Hungary (FAQ) · OIF