A guide to getting permanent residency in Hungary

This article provides a comprehensive guide to obtaining permanent residency in Hungary, detailing the options available, requirements, application process, timelines, and key considerations for both EU and non-EU citizens. Drawing from Hungarian and English-language sources, including official government portals and recent legislative updates, we aim to offer an authoritative and practical resource.

Understanding Permanent Residency in Hungary

Permanent residency in Hungary grants individuals the right to live in the country indefinitely, with access to many of the same socio-economic benefits as Hungarian citizens, such as public healthcare and visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. There are two primary types of permanent residency permits:

1. National Permanent Residence Permit (Nemzeti Letelepedési Engedély): Primarily for non-EU nationals who have lived in Hungary for at least three years with a qualifying temporary residence permit.

2. EC Permanent Residence Permit (EK Letelepedési Engedély): Available to non-EU nationals after five years of continuous residence, or to third-country national family members of EU/EEA nationals after five years of legal residence.

EU/EEA nationals and their family members follow a different process, typically involving a registration certificate and, after five years, a permanent residence card. Since Hungary’s immigration laws underwent significant changes in 2024, new requirements, such as a cultural exam for non-EU applicants, have been introduced, making it essential to understand the current framework.

Options for Permanent Residency

For EU/EEA Nationals

EU/EEA nationals (including Swiss citizens) enjoy simplified residency procedures under EU free movement laws. They do not require a residence permit to live in Hungary but must register if staying beyond 90 days.

• Registration Certificate (Regisztrációs Igazolás): EU/EEA nationals must apply for this within 90 days of arrival if they intend to stay longer. This involves proving the purpose of stay (e.g., employment, study, or sufficient financial resources) and accommodation in Hungary.

• Permanent Residence Card: After five years of continuous legal residence, EU/EEA nationals can apply for a permanent residence card, valid for 10 years and automatically renewable. This card confirms their right to reside indefinitely without needing to renew work or study permits.

Key Requirements:

• Valid passport or ID card.

• Proof of purpose (e.g., employment contract, enrollment in a Hungarian educational institution, or bank statements showing sufficient funds).

• Proof of accommodation (e.g., lease contract or property ownership documents).

• Continuous residence, with absences not exceeding six months per year or 12 months for significant reasons (e.g., study, illness).

For Non-EU Nationals

Non-EU nationals (third-country nationals) must first obtain a temporary residence permit before applying for permanent residency. The 2024 immigration law introduced stricter criteria and restructured residency options, limiting which temporary permits qualify for permanent residency. Below are the main pathways:

1. National Permanent Residence Permit:

   • Eligibility: Requires three years of continuous residence in Hungary with a qualifying temporary residence permit, such as those for high-skilled employment (e.g., EU Blue Card, Hungarian Card), family reunification, or investment (e.g., Hungary Golden Visa).

   • Key Condition: Applicants must not leave Hungary for more than four consecutive months or 270 days total over the three years.

2. EC Permanent Residence Permit:

   • Eligibility: Requires five years of continuous residence with any valid residence permit. This is also available to third-country national family members of EU/EEA nationals after five years of legal residence.

   • Key Condition: Absences must not exceed six months per year or 12 months for significant reasons.

3. Hungary Golden Visa (Guest Investor Program):

   • Eligibility: Non-EU nationals investing at least €250,000 in a real estate fund registered with the National Bank of Hungary or €1,000,000 in a public interest higher education institution can obtain a 10-year residence permit, renewable for another 10 years. After three years of continuous residence, investors can apply for the National Permanent Residence Permit.

   • Note: This program, launched in July 2024, is a popular route for wealthy non-EU nationals seeking long-term residency.

4. Family Reunification:

   • Eligibility: Spouses, minor children, or dependent parents of Hungarian citizens, permanent residents, or certain temporary residents (e.g., EU Blue Card holders) can apply for a residence permit, which can lead to permanent residency after three (National) or five (EC) years.

   • Note: Not all residence permits allow family reunification under the 2024 law (e.g., guest worker or student permits are excluded).

5. Other Pathways:

   • National Interest: Permits issued for economic, cultural, or scientific contributions, as approved by a Hungarian minister, can lead to permanent residency.

   • Humanitarian Reasons: Refugees or stateless persons may qualify for permanent residency under specific conditions.

Non-Qualifying Permits:

• Temporary permits for digital nomads (White Card), seasonal work, or student residency do not qualify for permanent residency, though time spent on student permits may count partially toward the EC Permanent Residence Permit.

Requirements for Permanent Residency

General Requirements (All Applicants)

• Valid Passport: Must be valid for at least three months beyond the intended stay.

• Proof of Accommodation: Lease contract, property ownership documents, or a statement of accommodation (e.g., dormitory or courtesy housing).

• Proof of Subsistence: Bank statements, income certificates from employers or tax authorities, or proof of regular income from abroad.

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive coverage, typically with a minimum of €30,000 for EU-wide medical care.

• Clean Criminal Record: A certificate from the home country or country of previous residence, issued within six months, with a certified Hungarian translation.

• Biometric Data: Fingerprint and photo submission at the immigration office.

Additional Requirements for Non-EU Nationals (2025 Onward)

• Cultural Exam: As of 2025, new applicants for permanent residency must pass a written exam on Hungarian and European culture, consisting of 12 questions to be answered in Hungarian within 60 minutes. The exam is conducted in Budapest and is not required for those transitioning from pre-2024 permanent residency permits. Study materials are available on the official immigration website (enterhungary.gov.hu).

• Continuous Residence: For the National Permanent Residence Permit, absences must not exceed four months consecutively or 270 days total over three years. For the EC Permanent Residence Permit, absences must not exceed six months per year.

• Stable Income and Long-Term Plans: Applicants must demonstrate stable income (e.g., employment contract, business income) and intent to remain in Hungary (e.g., property ownership, volunteer work, or Hungarian language proficiency).

Specific Requirements by Pathway

• Employment-Based (e.g., EU Blue Card, Hungarian Card):

  • Valid work contract or proof of high-skilled employment.

  • For EU Blue Card, a minimum salary 1.5 times the previous year’s average Hungarian salary.

• Family Reunification:

  • Marriage or birth certificates to prove family ties.

  • Proof of the sponsor’s residency status (e.g., Hungarian citizen’s passport, permanent resident’s card).

• Golden Visa:

  • Proof of investment (e.g., real estate fund certificate or donation receipt).

  • Investment must be maintained for the duration of the residence permit.

• EU/EEA Family Members:

  • Proof of family relationship (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate).

  • Evidence of the EU/EEA national’s legal residence in Hungary for five years.

Application Process

Where to Apply

• Non-EU Nationals:

  • Initial Submission: Applications are typically submitted online via the Enter Hungary platform (enterhungary.gov.hu). Alternatively, they can be submitted in person at the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (Országos Idegenrendészeti Főigazgatóság) regional office corresponding to the applicant’s place of residence.

  • Consular Submission: If the applicant is outside Hungary and requires a visa to enter, the application can be submitted at a Hungarian consulate in their country of residence, along with a D-type visa application.

  • Biometric Appointment: After online submission, applicants must book an appointment within 15 days to provide biometric data (photo and fingerprints) at a regional immigration office.

• EU/EEA Nationals:

  • Applications for registration certificates and permanent residence cards are submitted at the local government office (kormányablak) or regional immigration office.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Determine Eligibility:

   • Identify the appropriate temporary residence permit (for non-EU nationals) or registration requirement (for EU/EEA nationals) and confirm it qualifies for permanent residency.

2. Gather Documents:

   • Collect all required documents, ensuring foreign documents are translated into Hungarian by the Hungarian Office for Translation and Attestation (OFFI) and, if necessary, apostilled or endorsed by a Hungarian consulate.

3. Submit Application:

   • Non-EU nationals: Register on the Enter Hungary platform, complete the application form, upload documents, and pay the application fee (approximately €60–€130, depending on the permit type). Schedule a biometric appointment within 15 days.

   • EU/EEA nationals: Submit the application form and documents at a kormányablak or immigration office. No biometric appointment is required for the registration certificate.

4. Processing:

   • Applications are processed within 30–70 days, depending on the permit type. For study or research purposes, processing may take 15 days. If documents are missing, the immigration authority will issue a notice to remedy deficiencies, pausing the processing timeline until resolved.

5. Receive Decision:

   • If approved, non-EU nationals receive a residence card by post or collect it in Budapest. EU/EEA nationals receive a permanent residence card valid for 10 years.

   • If refused, applicants can appeal within five days through the authority that issued the decision.

6. Post-Approval:

   • Register for a Hungarian ID card (személyi igazolvány) and address card (lakcímkártya) at a kormányablak.

   • Non-EU nationals must report any changes (e.g., loss of residence card) to the immigration authority.

Key Notes

• Online Submission: The Enter Hungary platform is mandatory for most applications, streamlining the process but requiring careful attention to document uploads.

• Consular vs. In-Country: Non-EU nationals from visa-exempt countries (e.g., the US) can apply directly in Hungary upon arrival, preferably at Budapest if it’s their Schengen entry point.

• Fees: Payable by card only at consulates or via bank transfer for online applications. Fees vary by permit type and are non-refundable.

Timelines

• Temporary Residence to Permanent Residency:

  • Non-EU Nationals: Three years for the National Permanent Residence Permit (with qualifying permits) or five years for the EC Permanent Residence Permit.

  • EU/EEA Nationals: Five years of continuous residence for a permanent residence card.

• Processing Time: 30–70 days for most applications, with faster processing (15 days) for study or research permits.

• Golden Visa: 10-year residence permit issued within 30–70 days, with permanent residency eligibility after three years.

• Citizenship Pathway: After eight years of permanent residency, non-EU nationals can apply for citizenship, requiring a Hungarian language and constitutional knowledge exam (exemptions apply for spouses of Hungarian citizens, those over 65, or graduates of Hungarian institutions).

Benefits of Permanent Residency

• Schengen Mobility: Visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

• Socio-Economic Rights: Access to public healthcare, education, and social services on par with Hungarian citizens.

• Labor Market Freedom: No need for work permits, allowing seamless job changes.

• Stability: National Permanent Residence Permits are valid for five years (renewable) and not tied to passport expiry, while EC Permanent Residence Permits are valid indefinitely (card renewed every 10 years).

• Path to Citizenship: Permanent residency is a prerequisite for naturalization after eight years, with dual citizenship permitted unless prohibited by the applicant’s home country.

Challenges and Considerations

• Language Barrier: Only 20% of Hungarians speak English, and Hungarian is a challenging language to learn. While not required for permanent residency, language proficiency is necessary for the 2025 cultural exam and citizenship applications.

• Cultural Exam: The new requirement for non-EU applicants may pose a hurdle, particularly for those not fluent in Hungarian. Preparation is essential, and the exam’s Budapest-only location may inconvenience applicants outside the capital.

• Restricted EU Mobility: Hungarian permanent residency does not grant the right to live or work in other EU countries beyond the 90-day Schengen limit, unlike EU/EEA nationals’ rights.

• Revocation Risks: Permanent residency can be revoked if the holder leaves Hungary for more than two years without spending any time in the country or fails to maintain sufficient funds or accommodation.

Hungarian Language Sources and Insights

To ensure accuracy, we consulted Hungarian-language sources, including the official Enter Hungary portal (enterhungary.gov.hu) and the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (oif.gov.hu). Key insights include:

• 2025 TEÁOR Update: From January 1, 2025, employment-related residence permits must use the new TEÁOR’25 economic activity classification, replacing TEÁOR’08. Applicants must use the Hungarian Central Statistical Office’s recoding program to update codes, as noted on enterhungary.gov.hu.

• Cultural Exam Details: The official info sheet (available on enterhungary.gov.hu) outlines the exam’s structure and provides study materials, emphasizing Hungarian history, traditions, and EU values. The exam is a response to 2024’s immigration law prioritizing “social coexistence.”

• Stipendium Hungaricum: Non-EU students on Hungarian state scholarships (e.g., Stipendium Hungaricum) are exempt from residence permit application fees, as per enterhungary.gov.hu, but their permits do not qualify for permanent residency.

Practical Tips

• Engage Professionals: Immigration firms like Helpers Hungary (helpers.hu) or legal experts can navigate complex requirements, especially for non-EU nationals. Costs start at €1,300 for residency services.

• Learn Basic Hungarian: While not mandatory for residency, basic language skills ease daily life and exam preparation.

• Monitor Emails: The immigration authority communicates via email, including reminders for biometric appointments. Check spam folders regularly.

• Plan Absences: Track time spent outside Hungary to ensure compliance with continuous residence rules.

• Use OFFI for Translations: Only translations by the Hungarian Office for Translation and Attestation are accepted for official documents.

Conclusion

Obtaining permanent residency in Hungary is a viable pathway for both EU/EEA and non-EU nationals, offering stability, Schengen mobility, and access to Hungary’s high-quality lifestyle at a lower cost than Western Europe. EU/EEA nationals benefit from streamlined processes, while non-EU nationals must navigate a more complex system, with options like the Golden Visa or employment-based permits providing clear routes. The 2024 immigration law and 2025 cultural exam introduce new challenges, but with proper preparation and adherence to requirements, applicants can successfully secure lifelong residency in the heart of Europe. For the latest updates and application forms, visit enterhungary.gov.hu or consult a Hungarian immigration professional.