How to enter Hungary: all visa and residence permit types

Overview of Hungary visas and residence permits

Hungary offers various visa and residence permit options depending on the purpose and duration of stay.

Short-term visas, such as the Schengen visa, allow stays of up to 90 days for purposes like tourism, business, cultural events, or medical treatment. These require documents like proof of accommodation, financial means, and travel insurance.

Long-term visas, also known as national D visas, are required for stays exceeding 90 days and are typically issued for purposes like study, work, or family reunification. Applicants must demonstrate proof of purpose, financial stability, and accommodation. After entering the country, D visa holders are typically required to apply for a residence permit.

Residence permits cater to extended stays for employment, self-employment, education, family reunification, or special categories like digital nomads. Each permit type has specific eligibility and documentation requirements.

The Hungary Golden Visa offers 10-year residence permits to foreigners who invest at least €250,000 into the country’s economy.

Hungary entry requirements

European Union. Citizens of EU countries do not need a visa or even a passport to travel to Hungary: they only need to present a national ID card. Children and minors must have their own documentation.

For stays exceeding 90 days for non-tourism purposes, EU citizens must register with the Immigration Office, stating the purpose of their stay.

Visa-free countries. Citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other countries which have visa-waiver agreements with Hungary do not need a Schengen visa for trips of less than 90 days.

At the border, citizens of these countries must present a passport valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay in Hungary, with at least two blank pages. They must also provide proof of onward travel, sufficient funds, and accommodation. While travel insurance is not explicitly required, it is recommended, as is a letter stating the purpose of the visit.

Other countries. Citizens of states without a visa-free agreement with Hungary must have a Schengen visa even for short-term stays. 

When crossing the border, such travellers must also have a valid passport issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended stay in Hungary.

Hungary Schengen Visa for short-term stays

To obtain a short-term visa to Hungary, foreigners must provide sufficient evidence corresponding to the purpose of their visit.

The tourist visa is for travellers visiting Hungary for leisure, sightseeing, or short vacations. Applicants must provide proof of accommodation, a travel itinerary, and evidence of financial means to support their stay. 

The business visa is intended for individuals attending business meetings, conferences, training sessions, or other professional engagements in Hungary. Applicants need to provide documentation proving the purpose of their visit, such as an invitation letter from the Hungarian business or event organiser.

The visitor visa is for people visiting family members or friends in Hungary. It requires a formal invitation letter from the host, who must be a Hungarian resident or citizen, documents proving the relationship or friendship, and proof of financial means.

The cultural visa is issued for participation in cultural, artistic, sports, or other events organised in Hungary. Applicants need an invitation or proof of registration for the event, a ticket for a sports game or a concert, along with details of the organising institution or sponsor, as applicable.

The medical treatment visa is for individuals seeking short-term medical treatment in Hungary. Applicants must provide a medical report from their home country and an appointment confirmation or treatment plan from a Hungarian medical facility. Evidence of financial means to cover the treatment costs is also necessary.

The transit visa is a short-term Category A visa required for travellers passing through Hungary en route to a non-Schengen country. Transit visa holders cannot leave the airport’s international transit area and enter Schengen territory. Proof of travel arrangements and a valid visa or entry permit for the final destination is required when obtaining the visa.

Documents to apply for a Schengen visa to Hungary

Foreigners travelling to Hungary must submit the following documents:

• a valid passport with at least two blank pages, valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended stay;
• a completed and signed visa application form;
• recent passport-sized photos;
• travel insurance with minimum coverage of €30,000, valid across the Schengen Area;
• round-trip flight reservations;
• proof of accommodation;
• proof of sufficient financial means;
• documents showing the purpose of the visit.

Applications must be submitted in person at a Hungarian embassy or consulate, or an authorised visa application centre. In countries without a Hungarian consulate, applications may be submitted to another Schengen country’s consulate representing Hungary.

The standard Schengen visa fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children of ages between 6 and 12. For citizens of countries with visa facilitation bilateral agreements, which include Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cape Verde, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine, the visa fee is reduced to €35.

Hungary type D visa: a bridge to a residence permit

To live in Hungary for more than 90 days, non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss citizens must obtain a national D visa. The D visa allows foreigners to enter the country and then apply for a residence permit.

The D visa must be tied to a specific purpose, such as employment, study, family reunification, medical treatment, or scientific research.

The D visa application must be accompanied with proof of financial means and accommodation, health insurance, and any other documents specific to the purpose, such as a job offer for employment. 

The cost of the D visa to Hungary is €110.

After obtaining the D visa, the foreigner must enter Hungary and apply for a residence permit for the same purpose.

Differences between Schengen and national D visas in Hungary

Criteria	National D visa	Schengen visa
Visa type	Long-stay	Short-stay
Validity term	Up to 365 days	Up to 90 days within a 180-day period
Residence permit	Mandatory	Not mandatory

Hungarian residence permit for investors

Hungary Golden Visa is an opportunity for non-EU or non-EEA investors to obtain a 10-year residence permit. There are three investment options to gain residency.

1. Real estate fund investment — €250,000+. Investors purchase units in real estate funds registered with the Hungarian National Bank and recognised as qualified market operators by the Constitution Protection Office.

At least 40% of the fund’s assets must be invested in residential real estate in Hungary. The investment must be maintained for a minimum of five years.

2. Real estate investment — €500,000+. Starting January 1st, 2025, investors can purchase real estate in Hungary to qualify for the Golden Visa. The purchased property must be residential. Applicants are obliged to obtain permission for purchase from the Land Registry.

3. Donation to higher education — €1,000,000+. This donation is made to a Hungarian institution of higher education maintained by a public interest trust foundation. This type of investment supports education, scientific research, and creative activities.

Residence permits in Hungary for work

A work permit is one of the most common ways to obtain residency in Hungary.

Typically, this permit requires a job offer or employment contract, proof of qualifications, and, in some cases, a labour market test to show no suitable candidates from Hungary or the EU were available.

Eight types of residence permits are issued for the purpose of work. These are divided into two groups depending on the employee’s qualification, the employment length, and the company structure.

Employment in unskilled jobs refers to the following categories:

• for seasonal work — for workers in sectors like agriculture or horticulture, valid for up to 6 months;
• for guest workers — foreigners employed by preferential companies or qualified temporary work agencies, valid for 2 years with an option to extend for another year;
• for employment purposes issued for the implementation of an investment — for working in government-approved projects;
• for employment purposes — for job types other than listed above and not requiring special skills or qualifications.

Employment in high-skilled jobs includes the following residence permits:

• the Hungarian Card — for foreigners employed in jobs that require high qualifications, valid for 3 years and can be renewed;
• intra-corporate transfer — for employees of foreign companies who are transferred to a Hungarian branch or affiliate of the same company, valid for up to 3 years without an option to extend it;
• corporate card — for executive officers of specific companies that have an agreement with the Hungarian government;
• the EU Blue Card — for high-skilled employees whose monthly salary is 1.5 times higher than the average salary, issued for a standard period of 4 years.

Only holders of residence permits for high-skilled workers can bring their families to Hungary by family reunification and can apply for permanent residency after three years of living in the country.

Self-employment. An entrepreneur can obtain a residence permit for guest self-employment by opening a company in Hungary.

To apply, the applicant must provide documentation showing a company registration application, with the applicant listed as the company’s managing director or a member with representative rights.

Obtaining residency through this process takes at least six months. The permit is initially valid for one year and can be renewed once for two years.

Remote work. Digital nomads can apply for a Hungary White Card if they earn at least €3,000 per month and have at least €10,000 in savings.

To qualify, digital nomads must work for a company based outside Hungary and prove they can work remotely. Additionally, they need to purchase or rent property in Hungary.

The residence permit for remote workers is issued in at least three months. The White Card is valid for one year and can be extended once for the same period. After this, the digital nomad must leave Hungary but can reapply for a new residence permit.

Residence permits in Hungary for students and researchers

A residence permit for students is issued to a student enrolled in a Hungarian educational institution, such as a university or language school.

To prove the purpose of residence, students must provide an admission certificate or a student status certificate issued by the institution, along with proof of payment if applicable. The standard processing time of the application is 30 days.

A residence permit for researchers is issued to individuals who hold a hosting agreement with a certified research institution in Hungary. The permit is valid for a period not exceeding six months in a given year.

The residence permit for research is valid for 1 to 2 years and may be extended for up to 2 additional years for the same purpose.

Residence permits for starting a business after research or studies may be granted to holders of a valid residence permit for research or studies who can prove they have completed research or studies. They must also show that the position they seek or the business they plan to start aligns with the level of their completed studies.

During the validity period of this permit, the individual may apply within Hungary for a Hungarian Card, EU Blue Card, or residence permit for guest self-employment.

Residence permits in Hungary for family reunification and other purposes

Family reunification. Family members of Hungarian citizens or non-EU nationals with valid Hungarian residences may be eligible for residence permits. 

Spouses, minor children, and dependent family members of citizens or residents can apply for this type of permit if they provide the documents proving the relationship. 

Generally, the validity of a residence permit for family reunification is equal to that of the relative’s Hungarian residence permit. Family members of a Hungary citizen can apply for a five-year permit. In both cases, the document can be extended.

Medical treatment. The residence permit may be issued to non-EU nationals who need to stay in Hungary for extended medical treatment. Foreigners accompanying their minor child or another family member receiving treatment can also apply.

To confirm medical treatment as the purpose of stay, the applicant must provide a formal statement from the host medical facility specifying the treatment to be provided.

Official purposes. This residence permit is issued to foreigners planning to reside in Hungary for the following purposes:

• as a person with diplomatic or other privileges and immunities under international law or as a member of their family;
• as a member of an official delegation of a foreign state, public body, or an international organisation;
• as a press correspondent;
• for study, educational, scientific, or training purposes within an international treaty, international cultural or educational cooperation, or governmental international aid programme;
• as a staff member of a scientific, educational, or cultural institution operating in Hungary under an international treaty, or as a participant in activities of such an institution.

What is Hungary visa sponsorship?

A visa sponsorship occurs when a third party formally supports a foreigner’s visa application by guaranteeing financial support and providing an invitation for the applicant’s stay. Sponsorship can benefit applicants for a national D visa and a residence permit, including the Golden Visa.

In Hungary, a sponsor can be a family member, friend, or host residing in the country. Ideally, the sponsor is a first-degree relative with a permanent residence permit or citizenship in a Schengen country.

The sponsor must submit a list of documents, including the following:

• a signed sponsorship letter that states the relationship with the applicant, details of covered expenses, and personal and contact information for both the applicant and the sponsor, as well as accommodation details;
• a scanned copy of the ID;
• proof of sufficient funds;
• signatory circulars.

Sponsorship strengthens the visa application by showing the applicant has legitimate reasons for visiting, a stable support system in Hungary, and a reduced risk of overstaying or engaging in illegal activities.

Key points about Hungary visa and residence permit types

1. Citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland do not need a visa to visit Hungary, but they must register if staying for more than 90 days.
2. Visitors from select countries, including the US and UK, can stay in Hungary visa-free for up to 90 days, while others need a Schengen visa for short visits or a D visa for longer stays.
3. Various visa types cover tourism, business, cultural, medical, transit, and family visits. Each requires specific documentation, such as travel insurance, proof of funds, and itineraries.
4. Residence permits can be obtained for grounds such as employment, self-employment, remote work, family reunification, and medical treatment.
5. The Hungary Golden Visa offers a 10-year residence permit to foreigners for investing at least €250,000.