🇭🇺Visa options for Hungary
Hungary offers 25 permit types across 7 categories — the White Card (digital nomad, EUR 3,000/month, 1 year), Guest Investor / Golden Visa (EUR 250K fund, 10 years), EU Blue Card (HUF 1,001,048/month from January 2026), National Card for 8 partner countries, and permanent residency after just 3 years (with the new Hungarian Cultural Knowledge Exam since January 2025). 16 lead to PR; 17 don't require a job offer.
25permit types
7categories
16PR pathways
17no job needed
Check which Hungary visas you qualify for →
Visa categories in Hungary
All Hungary permit types
Work (8)
Hungarian Card (Employment Residence Permit) Magyar Kártya
Qualified workers with higher education, athletes, coaches, performers, and film industry workers. Up to 3 years + 3 years renewal. No specific salary threshold. EUR 47–60 fee.
EU Blue Card EU Kék Kártya
Highly qualified workers. 2026 threshold: HUF 1,001,048/month (approx. EUR 2,565) standard; HUF 800,838/month for healthcare/shortage occupations. Up to 4 years. EU mobility rights after 18 months.
National Card (Nemzeti Kártya) 8 Partner Countries
Special permit for citizens of Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Belarus, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine. Simplified process. 2 years + 3 years extension. Annual quota: 35,000 total with Guest Worker.
Guest Worker Residence Permit (Vendégmunkás) Quota-Based
Lower-skilled workers at preferential Hungarian companies or qualified temp agencies. 2 years + 1 year extension. Annual quota: 35,000 (shared with National Card).
Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT) Permit Multinational Transfer
Managers/specialists from non-EU corporate group: up to 3 years. Trainees: up to 1 year. Requires 3+ months prior employment with sending entity.
Seasonal Work Permit Up to 6 Months
Agriculture, horticulture, and tourism. Up to 6 months per 12-month period. EU Seasonal Workers Directive implementation.
Guest Self-Employed Residence Permit Self-Employment
Own company in Hungary. 1 year + 2 years renewal. Process takes 6+ months including company registration.
Posting Permit (Posted Worker) Posted Work
Non-EU employer posting workers to Hungary for temporary service delivery. Duration tied to service contract (typically 6 months to 2 years).
Visitor (3)
Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C) Schengen
EUR 90 (children 6–12: EUR 45). Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across all Schengen countries. Tourism, business, family visits, medical treatment.
Airport Transit Visa (Type A) Transit
EUR 80. Up to 24 hours in international transit zone at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport.
National Long-Stay Visa (Type D) Entry Authorization
EUR 110. Up to 365 days. Required as entry permit before applying for most Hungarian residence permits. Tied to a specific purpose (employment, study, family, research, investment).
Study (3)
Student Residence Permit Tanulmányi
Full-time higher education or secondary school. Duration of enrolled programme. Work up to 24 hours/week during academic year; full-time during holidays. EUR 47–60 fee.
Researcher Residence Permit Kutatói
Hosting agreement with approved research institution required. 1–2 years, extendable for 2 more. May teach up to 50% of time. EU researcher mobility rights. EUR 47–60 fee.
Trainee Residence Permit Képzési
Vocational training, internships, and structured training programmes. Duration of programme (typically 1–2 years). EUR 47–60 fee.
Humanitarian (3)
Asylum / Refugee Status International Protection
Free. Annually renewable upon recognition. Full labour market access. Hungary's asylum system is restricted — applications must be in person at OIF offices. Hungary has faced EU criticism for restrictive access procedures.
Subsidiary Protection (Complementary Protection) International Protection
Free. For persons facing serious harm if returned. Annually renewable. Full labour market access. Assessed in same procedure as asylum.
Temporary Protection (mainly Ukraine) Mass Influx
Free. Extended until 4 March 2027 (EU-wide). Primarily for Ukrainian nationals displaced since 24 February 2022. Full labour market access. Rapid registration at OIF offices or border reception centres.
Special (4)
White Card (Digital Nomad Residence Permit) Fehér Kártya
EUR 47. 1 year, extendable once. EUR 3,000/month net income minimum (6+ months prior). Remote work for non-Hungarian employers only — no local employment or share in Hungarian company. Must reside 90+ days/180 days. Via Enter Hungary platform.
Guest Investor Residence Permit (Golden Visa) Vendégbefektető
EUR 250,000 in approved real estate fund OR EUR 1,000,000 donation to Hungarian university public trust. 10 years, renewable. No mandatory residency. Full work rights. Family inclusion. ~5 months total processing. PR after 3 years; citizenship after 8 more years.
Job Seeker / Business Start-Up Permit Post-Study
EUR 47. 9 months (not extendable). For post-graduates and post-researchers who want to stay in Hungary to find work or start a business. Must apply before current permit expires.
Working Holiday Permit Bilateral
EUR 47–60. Up to 1 year. Ages 18–35 (varies). Free labour market access. Eligible: Australia, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and others.
Family (2)
Family Reunification Residence Permit Sponsor-Based
EUR 47–60. Up to 3 years, renewable. Sponsor income: approx. EUR 1,500/month minimum + 50% per additional family member. Covers spouse, registered partner, children under 18, and dependent parents. Free labour market access. Processing up to 70 days.
Family Residence Permit (Family of Hungarian Citizen) Hungarian Spouse
EUR 47–60. Up to 3 years, renewable. For TCN spouses, registered partners, and dependent children of Hungarian citizens. Free labour market access. Pathway to National Residence Card and eventually citizenship.
Permanent (2)
National Residence Card (Permanent Residency) Nemzeti letelepedési
EUR 65. After 3 years continuous lawful residence. Hungarian Cultural Knowledge Exam required since January 2025 (exam fee: EUR 50/attempt; exemptions for 65+, HU university graduates, disabled). 5-year card, indefinitely renewable. Unrestricted labour market access. Citizenship after 8 more years.
EU Long-Term Resident Card EU letelepedési
EUR 65. After 5 years continuous lawful residence. Same Hungarian Cultural Knowledge Exam required (since January 2025). 5-year card, indefinitely renewable. EU-wide mobility rights. Citizenship after 8 years of total PR.
Frequently Asked Questions about moving to Hungary
How many visa types does Hungary offer?
Hungary offers 25 permit types across 7 categories — 3 visitor/entry visas (Schengen C, Airport Transit A, National D), 8 work permits (Hungarian Card, EU Blue Card, National Card for 8 partner countries, Guest Worker, ICT, Seasonal, Guest Self-Employed, Posting), 3 study permits, 4 special permits (White Card digital nomad, Guest Investor/Golden Visa, Job Seeker, Working Holiday), 2 family permits, 2 permanent residence types, and 3 humanitarian permits.
Can I move to Hungary without a job offer?
Yes — 17 of Hungary's 25 permit types don't require a pre-arranged job offer. These include the White Card (digital nomad, EUR 3,000/month income), Guest Investor/Golden Visa (EUR 250,000 investment), Guest Self-Employed permit, all study permits, family reunification, both permanent residence types, humanitarian protection, and the Job Seeker permit for post-graduates.
What is the Hungary White Card digital nomad visa?
The Hungary White Card (Fehér Kártya) is a 1-year renewable residence permit for remote workers and digital nomads who work for non-Hungarian employers. Requirements: minimum EUR 3,000/month net income for at least 6 months prior to application, work performed remotely using digital technology, no Hungarian employment or shares in Hungarian companies. Valid for 1 year, extendable once. Apply via Enter Hungary platform or at regional OIF offices. Processing: 21 days.
How do I get permanent residency in Hungary?
Hungary offers two permanent residency routes: (1) National Residence Card after 3 years of continuous lawful residence — requires stable income, accommodation, and passing the Hungarian Cultural Knowledge Exam (mandatory since January 2025; exemptions for 65+, Hungarian university graduates, and disabled persons); (2) EU Long-Term Resident Card after 5 years, which also requires the Cultural Knowledge Exam. Both cards are valid for 5 years and renewable indefinitely. Hungarian citizenship is possible after 8 more years of permanent residency.
How do I check my eligibility for Hungary visas?
Use VisaMatch's free eligibility checker. Enter your nationality, age, occupation, income, and education. You'll see every Hungary permit you qualify for, with links to official OIF (oif.gov.hu) and Enter Hungary sources. Applications are processed by the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (OIF) via the Enter Hungary digital platform.
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