Work & resident permits for non EU citizens
Residence for EEA nationals
Permanent Residence
Work & resident permits for non EU citizens - Long term residnece as,
Employee
EU blue card
The EU Blue Card is a residence permit that grants its holder, who possesses a high level of qualification , the right to reside in a member state and engage in employment that requires a high level of qualification.
EU Blue Card
An EU Blue Card can be granted to third-country nationals who: Intend to work in a position requiring high-level qualifications and possess the necessary higher professional qualifications or relevant high-level professional experience of a certain duration; or Hold an EU Blue Card issued by another EU Member State, have legally resided there for at least 12 months, or have resided in the second Member State for at least 6 months. How Long Is the EU Blue Card Valid? The maximum validity period of the permit is 4 years and it may be extended for up to 4 years at a time. The validity of the issued permit is determined by the authorities based on the planned duration of the employment relationship. During the first year after issuance, the EU Blue Card entitles the holder to work only for the specific employer, at the specified location and in the designated position. Special Requirements for the EU Blue Card The EU Blue Card is available exclusively for high-skilled positions listed in major groups 1 and 2 of the ISCO (Hungarian FEOR) classification. The employee must hold a relevant higher education degree (in certain cases, certified professional experience may substitute for this requirement). A legal minimum salary is set for EU Blue Card holders. The remuneration must continuously meet the minimum wage defined specifically for EU Blue Card holders. In 2025, the minimum monthly salary for EU Blue Card positions is HUF 883,671. Exceptions apply to the following occupations, where the minimum monthly salary is HUF 706,937: – General practitioner (FEOR: 2211) – Pharmacist (FEOR: 2214) – Optometrist (FEOR: 2222) – Dietitian and nutritionist (FEOR: 2223) – Physiotherapist (FEOR: 2224) – Health visitor (FEOR: 2225) – Paramedic (FEOR: 2226) – Nurse (requiring higher education) (FEOR: 2231) – Midwife (requiring higher education) (FEOR: 2232)
A residence permit for the Hungarian Card can be granted to a third-country national who has an employment relationship and possesses the professional qualification specified in the announcement of the minister responsible for higher education.
- Professional athlete or professional coach
- Performing artist , or
- Engages in actual work at a film producer or film production company registered by the motion picture authority under the law on motion pictures.
Hungarian Card
A Hungarian Card may be granted to a third-country national who:
- intends to perform actual work for remuneration under an employment relationship, for and under the direction of another person, or
- is an owner or executive officer of a business company, cooperative, or other legal entity established for income-generating purposes, performing actual work beyond their managerial activities, or
- is a third-country national with higher professional qualifications who will be employed in Hungary based on an agreement between a domestic employer and an employer established in a third country.
Hungarian Card privileges
The Hungarian Card entitles its holder to work for a specified employer, at a specified workplace and position, and to stay in Hungary during the validity of the permit.
How long is it valid for?
The Hungarian Card may be requested for a maximum of 3 years and can be extended by up to 3 years at a time. The validity of the issued permit is determined by the authorities based on the planned duration of the employment contract.
Hungarian card
Residence permit for employment purposes
A residence permit for employment purposes can be applied for by specific third-country nationals regardless of their educational background, provided they intend to perform actual work for remuneration under an employment relationship, for and under the direction of another person.
Residence permit for employment purposes
The following persons may apply:
- a) who intends to perform actual work for remuneration under an employment relationship, for and under the direction of another person,
- b) who will be employed in Hungary based on an agreement between a domestic employer and an employer established in a third country (in which case the domestic employer is considered their employer),
- c) who is a citizen of a third country specified in the Government Decree.
Currently, the following citizens can apply:
- Georgian
- Armenian
- Filipino
Additional rules
The minister responsible for employment policy may specify certain occupations in a public announcement for which residence permits for employment purposes cannot be issued.
Additionally, the minister responsible for the employment of third-country nationals in Hungary may determine through a decree which third-country nationals are eligible to receive a residence permit for employment purposes.
How long is it valid for?
A residence permit for employment purposes may be requested for the first time for a maximum period of 2 years.
A National Card can be granted to a third-country national specified in the Government Decree whose purpose of stay is to perform actual work for remuneration under an employment relationship, for and under the direction of another person, including employment through temporary agency work. It may also be granted to those who, as owners or executive officers of a business company, cooperative, or other legal entity established for income-generating purposes, perform actual work beyond the scope of their managerial activities.
National card
The National Card entitles the holder to work for a specified employer, at a specified workplace and position, and to stay in Hungary during the validity of the permit.
List of eligible countries
Citizens of the countries listed below may apply for a National Card regardless of their educational qualifications. There are no regulatory restrictions concerning educational background for this type of permit; both low-skilled and highly skilled workers are eligible for a National Card.
Country List – Effective from July 9, 2024:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Republic of North Macedonia
- Republic of Belarus
- Moldova
- Republic of Montenegro
- Russian Federation
- Serbia
- Ukraine
Validity period
The National Card may be requested for a maximum of 2 years and can be extended by up to 3 years at a time. The validity of the issued permit is determined by the authorities based on the planned duration of the employment contract.
National card
Intra-corparate transfer
A residence permit for intra-corporate transfer can be granted to a third-country national who
- at the time of submitting the residence permit application, has a residence outside the territory of the European Union member states and has been transferred within the company, or
- holds a residence permit issued by a member state of the European Union for the purpose of intra-corporate transfer (long-term mobility permit).
Residence permit for intra-corporate transfer
A residence permit for intra-corporate transfer is only applicable in cases of group-level secondment.
Key criteria for secondment:
- The employee must remain under an employment contract with the sending company throughout the entire secondment period. The sending company is located outside the EEA.
- Before the secondment, the employee must have been employed at the sending company for at least three months.
- The employer’s authority lies with the sending company.
- The employee receives their salary from the sending company.
- Social security and contribution obligations remain in the sending country.
Who can apply for the permit?
Non-EEA citizens who:
- Have a high level of qualification,
- Are employed by a company outside the EEA,
- Are temporarily sent to a Hungarian company within the same corporate group to perform work, and
- Hold positions that require high competence, such as managerial, expert, or trainee roles.
Validity period
With a residence permit for intra-corporate transfer, the maximum duration of stay in Hungary is:
- Up to 3 years for managerial and expert employees.
- Up to 1 year for trainee employees.
Family member
A residence permit for ensuring family reunification can be granted to a third-country national who wishes to reside in Hungary as a family member of a citizen holding a valid permit in Hungary.
Residence permit for family reunification
A residence permit for the purpose of ensuring family reunification can be granted to a third-country national who is:
- a family member of a person holding a residence permit,
- a family member of a person holding an immigration, settlement, temporary settlement, national settlement, or EC settlement permit,
- a family member of a person holding a temporary residence card, national residence card, or EU residence card,
- a family member of a person holding a residence card, permanent residence card, or long-term residence card,
- a family member of a Hungarian citizen,
- a family member of a person recognized as a refugee, provided the marriage took place prior to entry,
- the parent or guardian of an unaccompanied minor recognized as a refugee,
- a dependent parent of the family member sponsor or their spouse,
- a dependent parent of a person recognized as a refugee,
- a sibling or direct-line relative of the family member sponsor or their spouse who is unable to care for themselves due to health reasons,
- a sibling or direct-line relative of a person recognized as a refugee who is unable to care for themselves due to health reasons.
Validity period
The family member may be granted a residence permit for the duration of the sponsor family member’s valid permit.
Family member
Guest worker
Guest worker
A third-country national specified in the Government Decree can be granted a permit if their purpose of stay is to perform actual work for remuneration under an employment relationship, for and under the direction of another person.
Guest worker residence permit
A residence permit for guest workers may be granted to a guest worker who:
- intends to perform actual work in Hungary for remuneration under an employment relationship, for and under the direction of another person, including employment through temporary agency work,
- has an employer who is a registered preferential employer or a registered qualified temporary agency,
- is a citizen of a third country specified in the Government Decree, and
- will be employed in an occupation not excluded by the announcement of the minister responsible for employment policy.
Validity period
The document’s validity period is up to 2 years and can be extended by up to 1 year for the same purpose, but its validity cannot exceed a total of 3 years from the date of first issuance.
Guest self-employment purposes
A residence permit for guest self-employment purposes can be granted to a third-country national.
- who intends to engage in an independent, remunerated activity (e.g., as a sole entrepreneur), or
- who intends to perform activities as an executive officer of a business company, cooperative, or other legal entity established for income-generating purposes (hereinafter collectively referred to as a business company).
Validity period
The document’s validity period is up to 1 year and can be extended by up to 2 years for the same purpose, but its validity cannot exceed a total of 3 years from the date of first issuance.
Guest self-employment purposes
Guest investor
Guest investor
who intends to perform activities as an executive officer of a business company, cooperative, or other legal entity established for income-generating purposes (hereinafter collectively referred to as a business company).
Investments of National Economic Interest
The following investments must be considered as of national economic interest:
- a) Acquiring an investment fund share issued by a real estate investment fund registered by the Hungarian National Bank, with a minimum value of 250,000 euros.
- b) Providing a monetary donation of at least 1,000,000 euros to support educational, scientific research, or artistic creative activities at a higher education institution maintained by a public-interest asset management foundation that performs public tasks.
Submitting the Application
The application must be submitted within 30 days after entering Hungary with a guest investor visa or, in the case of visa exemption, after the first lawful entry into Hungary.
Validity period
The document’s validity period is up to 10 years and can be extended for another 10 years for the same purpose.
Student
A residence permit for the purpose of pursuing studies, or a student mobility residence permit, is required for third-country nationals who wish to continue their studies in Hungary.
Residence Permit for Study Purposes and Student Mobility
1.) Which third-country nationals can receive it?
A residence permit for the purpose of studying, a student mobility residence permit, or a student mobility certificate can be obtained under the following conditions:
I. Residence Permit for Study Purposes
A third-country national may be eligible if they:
- Participate in full-time education at a public education institution registered in the public education information system, or
- Study in a full-time program at a state-recognized higher education institution or a foreign higher education institution operating with official approval.
- Intend to take part in preparatory courses organized by the higher education institution.
Have the necessary language skills required for their studies.
II. Student Mobility Residence Permit
A third-country national may be eligible if they:
- Hold a residence permit for study purposes issued by another European Union member state,
- Intend to pursue part of their studies at a higher education institution in Hungary,
- Are not participating in a European Union or multilateral program that includes mobility measures.
III. Student Mobility Certificate
A third-country national may be eligible if they:
- Hold a residence permit for study purposes issued by another European Union member state,
- Intend to pursue part of their studies at a higher education institution in Hungary,
- Are involved in a program that includes mobility measures under an EU or multilateral initiative, or an agreement between multiple higher education institutions.
- Notify the immigration authority of their mobility plan and the intended duration of mobility.
Important Information
Before initiating the procedure, it is important to clarify with the sending or receiving educational institution whether the program includes mobility measures.
Student
White card for digital nomads
White card for digital nomads
The White Card is a type of permit issued for digital nomads, allowing its holder to work from Hungary for their foreign-based employer or business.
White card for digital nomads
A third-country national may be eligible for a White Card if they:
- Have verified employment in a country outside Hungary and conduct their work from Hungary using advanced digital technology solutions, or
- Have ownership in a profit-generating business based in a country outside Hungary and conduct their work or manage their business from Hungary using advanced digital technology solutions.
Entitlements
The White Card entitles the holder to reside in Hungary and to perform remote work for a foreign company.
Validity period
The document is valid for up to one year and can only be extended once, for the same purpose, for a maximum of one additional year.