How to get a residence permit in Hungary in 2025? 14 ways to get a residence permit in Hungary.

Today in Hungary there are many possibilities to obtain a residence permit for different groups of people: entrepreneurs, students, highly qualified specialists and other categories of foreign citizens. Moreover, in the summer of 2024 it became possible to obtain a Hungarian residence permit on the basis of investment or National Card.

In our article we will tell you about the advantages of obtaining a residence permit in Hungary and consider its most popular types.

Why should you think about obtaining a residence permit in Hungary?

• Hungary is a very beautiful country in the center of Europe with a long rich history, interesting and distinctive culture, picturesque nature and soulful people.
• Freedom of Travel. Hungary is part of the Schengen Agreement, so having a residence permit for Hungary you will be able to travel freely to all countries of the European Union and the Schengen Agreement.
• Moving to Hungary. Holders of a Hungarian residence permit have the right to live in the country, study, work and do business in Hungary, depending on the type of residence permit. The country is known for its excellent ecology, developed infrastructure and stable economy. According to the Global Peace Index, Hungary is among the 15 safest countries in the world.
• Financial Affordability. Hungary is still a more affordable country to live in than neighboring Austria, as well as Germany or the UK.
• Good level of medicine. Hungary is famous as a country with good dentistry, plastic surgery and other areas. Moreover, residents under the medical policy have the right to receive free medical care in state clinics, and medical care in private clinics is 40-60% cheaper than in Scandinavian countries.
• European education. Hungarian universities issue European-style diplomas, which are recognized in other European countries and the USA. Moreover, in 2024 the 5 largest Hungarian universities are among the top 1000 universities in the world according to QS World University Rankings 2024.
• Possibility of obtaining residence permit and citizenship. In 3 years after obtaining a residence permit, the resident has the right to apply for permanent residence, and after 8 years with knowledge of the Hungarian language, culture, history and Constitution of the country has the right to obtain Hungarian citizenship.
• Low taxes. Hungary has a progressive tax system with different types of tax classes depending on many factors, such as age or having children. But despite this, Hungary remains a country with lower taxes than other European countries. For example, the income tax for Hungarian companies is only 9%, which can be reduced to 4.5%, i.e. 2 times (under certain conditions). You can find out more about taxes from our Hungarian tax expert, more details here.
• Investment opportunities. The Hungarian economy is actively developing and remains attractive to foreign investors. And for those who are ready to invest in the Hungarian economy from 250,000 € are given the opportunity to obtain a residence permit for a period of 10 years, with a possible extension for another 10 years.

Who has an opportunity to get a residence permit in Hungary?

According to Hungarian law, foreigners have the possibility to obtain a residence permit if they have the appropriate grounds for it, e.g. business, investment, study, work, medical treatment, family reunification, etc.

The period of validity of a residence permit also directly depends on the grounds for obtaining it. For example, students can receive a residence permit depending on the duration and type of educational program. While investors are entitled to a ten-year residence permit.

Below we will tell you about the most popular grounds for obtaining a residence permit.

Ground 1. Hungarian residence permit for investment.

This basis is suitable for those who are willing to invest from 250,000 € in Hungarian real estate fund managers. In December 2023, the Hungarian government announced the launch of a new immigration program for investors “Hungarian Guest Investor Program”, which began operating on July 1, 2024, allowing investors from around the world and their families to obtain a Hungarian residence permit for 10 years, with the possibility of extending it for another 10 years.

There are three ways to obtain the Golden Visa:

1. Acquisition of investment certificates issued by a real estate fund registered by the National Hungarian Bank for an amount of at least 250,000 €.
2. Acquisition of Hungarian residential real estate for an amount of at least 500,000 € (the program will start working from January 1, 2025).
3. A monetary donation to a Hungarian higher education institution in the amount of 1,000,000 € to support educational or scientific activities.

How to get a residence permit in Hungary for investments.

How to get a residence permit in Hungary: step-by-step process

Obtaining a residence permit in Hungary for an investment is estimated to take about a few months. The main costs depend on the chosen investment option.

Preliminary investor verification will take 1 day.

IST Hungary will thoroughly check and examine your documents. The verification is confidential and does not require any additional preparatory steps – it is enough to provide only a passport.

On average it takes 2-3 weeks to prepare the documents.

IST Hungary lawyers provide the applicant with a complete list of necessary documents to obtain a visitor visa for investors. After collecting all the documents, the company’s specialists fill in the state forms, prepare applications, organize translation and necessary certifications of document copies. The cost of translation and notarization depends on the number of applicants.

Obtaining a Hungarian residence permit card usually takes up to 3 months.

IST Hungary lawyers provide assistance in applying for a residence permit. It takes several weeks to process the application. One will also need to submit biometric data. Once approved, the investor can receive a Hungarian residence permit card.

The validity period of the Hungarian residence permit for investment is 10 years. After the expiry of this period, the residence card can be extended for another 10 years.

Ground 2. Family reunification in Hungary.

A residence permit for family reunification can be granted to relatives of Hungarian residents or citizens.

The applicant may be:

1. Spouse or spouse;
2. Minor siblings or adopted children;
3. Guardians of a minor child.

A residence permit for family reunification can be obtained for a period of up to 10 years, with the possibility of its extension.

Ground 3. Entrepreneurial activity in Hungary.

In order to obtain a Hungarian residence permit for entrepreneurs, it is necessary to open a company in Hungary with a minimum authorized capital of at least 3000000 HUF (about 7700 €). At the same time it is necessary to register a legal entity similar to an LLC, JSC, ZAO or other.

The term of validity of the residence permit for entrepreneurs is several years, with the possibility of its extension for 3 years. After 3 years, the entrepreneur has the right to obtain a residence permit for Hungary.

Family members of the entrepreneur are entitled to a Hungarian residence permit.

Ground 4. Digital nomads. White card in Hungary.

“White Card” is a special Hungarian residence permit for digital nomads, including sole proprietors, company owners and officially employed employees who operate outside Hungary. In order to obtain a white card, the applicant must:

• Had a legal relationship for the purpose of obtaining a certificate of employment in any country other than Hungary and performed his or her work from Hungary using advanced digital technologies, or
• Owned an interest in a company with proven profits outside Hungary and performed his/her work or managed his/her business from Hungary using advanced digital technology solutions.

The White Card can only be obtained if you are not employed in Hungary, do not plan to be employed in a Hungarian company and do not have an ownership interest in a Hungarian company.

In order to obtain a White Card, it is necessary to confirm that the candidate:

• Has an income of at least 3000 EUR per month for the last six months;
• Has health insurance for the period of stay in Hungary;
• Has a real estate purchase or rental contract in Hungary.

The residence permit for digital nomads is issued for a period of 1 year, renewable for another year.

The white card does not give the possibility to obtain a residence permit or citizenship in the future.

Ground 5: Employment in Hungary.

This category of residence permits can be divided into two large blocks. The first one is residence permits for highly qualified workers, the second one is for unskilled workers.

The residence permit for highly skilled workers has 4 options:

• Hungarian Card (Magyar Kártya) – granted to third-country nationals who perform highly skilled Hungarian work under a contract with a Hungarian company or a company outside the EEC, but his/her personal presence in Hungary is required to perform the work. If the place of employment changes, a reapplication for a residence permit is required.
• The EU Blue Card (Kék Kártya) is a residence permit for highly qualified professionals, which allows them to work and reside in an EU member state. It is intended for those who have high professional qualifications or who already have an EU Blue Card issued by another Member State and have been legally residing there.
• Residence permit for intra-corporate transfer – for employees of foreign companies who have been transferred to the company’s Hungarian branch or subsidiary.
• Residence permit for business relocation to Hungary – issued only to executive directors of companies that have concluded an agreement with the Hungarian government.

Residence permit for work that does not require high qualifications:

• Residence permit for seasonal work;
• Residence permit for guest workers – for third-country nationals employed by a Hungarian company through temporary work agencies;
• Residence permit for work related to investment projects – issued for third-country nationals to work in projects approved by the Hungarian government.
• Residence permit for employment – intended for jobs not mentioned above and not requiring special qualifications.

In order to obtain any of the above-mentioned types of residence permits, the candidate must provide a work contract and a work permit.

The validity period and the possibility of renewal depend directly on the type of residence permit requested. Thus, holders of residence permits for unskilled labor are not eligible for a residence permit, as well as their family members are not eligible for a residence permit for family reunification.

A Blue Card, for example, is issued for 4 years, during which the holder can work only in the field that was specified in the application.

Ground 6. Internship in Hungary.

The Internship Residence Permit is intended for foreign nationals who want to do an internship in Hungary.

To obtain it, the applicant must submit the following documents:

• Contract with the host organization;
• A diploma of higher education or a certificate of professional training;
• A certificate proving sufficient knowledge of the language for the internship;
• A written commitment from the host organization to cover deportation costs in case the permitted period of stay is exceeded.

This residence permit is issued for up to 6 months or for the duration of the internship if shorter. There is no extension of this residence permit.

Ground 7. Study in Hungary.

A student residence permit (STP) in Hungary can be obtained for studying at a school or university, as well as for taking preparatory courses before entering a university. The applicant must prove Hungarian or English language proficiency at the required level and present an invitation from the host institution.

A residence permit for the purpose of study is valid for at least 1 year or, if the duration of study is less than 1 year, it is issued according to the duration of study. The residence permit may also be issued for a period of up to 3 years. It can be renewed for a period of 1 to 3 years.

Ground 8: Scientific endeavors.

A residence permit for research purposes can be granted to a third-country national if he/she has concluded an agreement with an accredited research organization to conduct scientific research in Hungary.

The duration of such a residence permit is between 1 and 2 years, depending on the duration of the agreement with the host country. Subsequently, it can be extended for up to 2 years.

Ground 9. Passage of treatment.

A residence permit for the purpose of medical treatment may be granted to a third-country national if he/she plans to stay in Hungary for medical treatment or to accompany a minor child or other family member in need of care during treatment.

The validity period depends on the duration of the treatment, but for a maximum of 2 years.

Ground 10. Official representation in Hungary.

A residence permit for official purposes may be issued to a third-country national if he or she:

• plans to live in Hungary as a diplomat or a member of the family of a diplomat with privileges and immunity under international law,
• participates in an official delegation of a foreign state, public body or international organization,
• works in the press service,
  is engaged in study, science, culture or education under international agreements or programs,
• works in a scientific, educational or cultural institution operating in Hungary on the basis of an international agreement.

The term of residence permit in this case is issued for the period of activity, but not more than 3 years. In the future, under certain conditions, it can be extended for 3 years.

Ground 11. Volunteering.

A residence permit for volunteering can be granted to a third-country national if he/she has concluded a contract with an organization from the list provided by the Hungarian government or participates in European Voluntary Service projects.

The validity of the residence permit depends on the duration of the participation in charitable projects. The maximum duration of this type of residence permit is 2 years.

Ground 12. National Map.

The National Card (Nemzeti Kártya) may be issued to a citizen of Serbia, Ukraine and, from 2024, Russia, who plans to reside in Hungary for the purpose of performing actual work, including temporary employment, on the basis of an employment relationship, for remuneration, for or under the supervision of another person.

In order to obtain the National Card, an employment contract must be submitted.

The maximum period of validity of the National Card is 2 years, with the possibility to extend it for up to 3 years.

Ground 13. Participation in the Working Holiday program.

A temporary residence permit can be granted to a third-country national between the ages of 18 and 35 who is participating in the Working Holiday Program.

The applicant must provide a document proving participation in the program and planned activities in Hungary, as well as proof of sufficient funds to live in Hungary.

The term of such residence permit depends on the duration of the program, but not more than 1 year.

Ground 14. Hungarian map (Magyar Kártya).

In addition to the above mentioned categories, owners and directors of Hungarian companies can also apply for a Hungarian card if their specialization fits the requirements of the immigration law of 2023.

The founders and directors of Hungarian companies can obtain a Hungarian residence permit for 3 years with a possible extension for another 3 years. After residing in the country for three years, it is possible to apply for permanent residence.

Required documents for applying for a residence permit in Hungary.

The basic set of documents for all types of residence permits is:

• Availability of a valid passport
• Completed application form
• Two photographs taken in the last six months before the application is submitted
• Health insurance valid for the whole period of stay in Hungary
• Rental or purchase contract of residential real estate in Hungary, or other document confirming the availability of housing for the period of stay in Hungary.
• Proof of sufficient means of subsistence in Hungary.

Also, depending on the type of residence permit, additional documents such as employment contract, proof of kinship, letter of invitation from the host organization, etc. will be required.

To order consultations on registration of residence permit, residence permit, Hungarian citizenship:

☎️ +36205977777

✅ Write to us in Telegram: https://t.me/immigrationlive

What’s App: +36205977777

business@isthungary.hu

🌐 https://isthungary.hu/

Best Regards,
IST Hungary team