EU citizens can live and work in Hungary freely with no visa or permit required, only address registration once settled. For non-EU citizens, the picture is more involved and depends heavily on the specific purpose of the stay.
Work Permits
Non-EU nationals taking up employment in Hungary generally need a combined residence and work permit, sponsored by the employing company, applied for through a Hungarian consulate before arrival or, in some cases, converted from a different permit type once in the country. Processing times vary but commonly run several months, so early application is essential for anyone with a firm start date.
The White Card
Introduced in 2022, the White Card (Fehér Kártya) is Hungary’s residence permit aimed at remote workers employed by non-Hungarian companies, Hungary’s answer to the digital nomad visas offered by Estonia, Croatia, and others. Requirements have included proof of employment or self-employment with a company registered outside Hungary, minimum income thresholds, and proof of accommodation in Hungary. Requirements and thresholds have shifted since introduction; verify current specifics with a Hungarian consulate or immigration lawyer before applying.
Company Establishment Route
Establishing a Hungarian company (Kft, roughly equivalent to a UK Ltd) and obtaining a residence permit as a company director or employee is a well-trodden route for entrepreneurs and freelancers, more complex and costly than the equivalent process in Estonia or the Czech Republic but legally well established.
Family and Study Permits
Family reunification permits are available for spouses and dependents of Hungarian citizens or existing permit holders. Student residence permits cover enrolment at Hungarian universities, several of which run English-language programmes and have become a significant draw for international students in recent years.
Permanent Residency and Citizenship
After several years of continuous legal residence (the specific threshold depends on permit type), permanent residency becomes an option, and citizenship after a longer period, generally eight years of residence, subject to a Hungarian language exam among other requirements. Ethnic Hungarians and descendants of Hungarian citizens have access to a separate, faster simplified naturalisation process.
Related: Expat and Nomad Hub | Digital Nomad Guide | Hungary Visa and Entry Requirements