Hungary White Card: how to get a Digital Nomad visa and residence permit

What is a Hungary White Card?

The White Card is issued for one year and can be extended for the same period. After that, it cannot be renewed from inside Hungary. The digital nomad must leave Hungary and apply for a new permit at a Hungarian consulate if they wish to return.

Digital Nomads are not eligible to apply for permanent residency or citizenship in Hungary. Those wishing to stay longer than two years should consider alternative options, such as the Hungary Golden Visa.

Who can get the Hungary White Card?

The Hungary White Card is available to digital nomads from countries outside the EU and the EEA. To qualify, they must work for a company based outside Hungary and prove they can perform their jobs remotely. They also must prove that they have no criminal record.

The digital nomads are asked to confirm they have earned at least €3,000 per month in the last six months and can maintain this income level during their stay in Hungary. Additionally, they must have at least €10,000 in savings. 

Before submitting the application, the foreigners need to purchase or rent property in Hungary with a living area of at least 6 m² per person. The minimum cost of the housing is not established.

The applicant’s relatives cannot relocate with them. To obtain a residence permit, family members must submit a separate application.

Documents required to obtain Hungarian residency as a digital nomad

The potential White Card holders must submit the following documents:

• a valid passport;
• proof of accommodation in Hungary;
• health insurance;
• bank statements confirming sufficient income and savings;
• payslips for the last six months;
• an employment contract with a non‑Hungarian company;
• a letter from the employer confirming the possibility of remote work, if not mentioned in the contract.

Costs of applying for the Hungary White Card

Expenses on obtaining the White Card include renting accommodation in Hungary, purchasing medical insurance, and covering fees for document preparation and application processing. The minimum cost of real estate is not specified. 

On average, a one-bedroom apartment in central Budapest costs around €600 per month. Tenants typically pay a deposit equal to one month’s rent when signing the lease, which is returned upon contract expiration.

The cost of real estate in Hungary ranges from €2,000 to €2,800 per square metre, depending on the location. When purchasing property, the buyer pays a stamp duty of 2—4% and 5% VAT

List of the Hungary White Card expenses when renting real estate

Expense item	Amount
Renting property for 12 months	€7,200+
Annual medical insurance	€180+
Application fee	€110
Notary and translation services	€50+
Total	€7,540+

7 benefits of Hungarian residency for digital nomads

1. Strategic location in Europe. Hungary’s central location makes it an ideal base for digital nomads wanting to explore nearby countries. It is well-connected by train, bus, and air travel to major European cities.

2. Visa-free travel in the Schengen Area. Hungary is part of the Schengen Area, allowing White Card holders to travel freely to 28 other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

3. Low taxes. Hungary offers one of the lowest personal income tax rates in the EU at 15%. Moreover, digital nomads do not pay income tax if they stay less than 183 days a year in the country.

4. Affordable cost of living. Hungary, particularly Budapest, has a relatively low cost of living compared to Western European cities. For instance, living in Budapest costs around €650 per month for a single person, excluding rent—55% lower than in Vienna and 30% lower than in Barcelona.

5. Safety. According to the 2024 Global Peace Index, Hungary ranks 14th globally for safety. Between 2010 and 2023, registered crime cases dropped by 2.5 times. Chances of being attacked or robbed are low.

6. Access to European banks. Holding a Hungarian residence permit makes it easier for non-EU citizens to open accounts at European banks, with faster processing and less documentation required.

7. Comfortable working environment. Hungary ranks 22nd globally for fixed broadband internet speed, making remote work more efficient. The country also has many co-working spaces, especially in Budapest.

Drawbacks of the Hungary White Card

1. Limited stay. Digital nomads can stay in Hungary for up to two years. After that, they must leave but can reapply for the White Card.

2. Income threshold. Applicants must have a minimum monthly income of €3,000 and at least €10,000 in savings to qualify for the residence permit.

3. No family reunification. Family members cannot be included in the Hungary White Card application. Relatives must qualify and apply separately if they wish to join.

4. Restrictions on local employment. White Card holders cannot work for a Hungarian employer or generate income from Hungarian sources.

5. No path to permanent residency or citizenship. White Card holders are not eligible for permanent residency or citizenship. 

Those seeking to stay longer than two years should explore options like the Hungary Golden Visa.

Life in Hungary as a digital nomad

Cost of living. Renting a one-bedroom flat in central Budapest averages €600 per month, with lower prices available outside the city centre. A single person typically spends around €650 per month on living expenses, excluding rent.

Utility bills, which include electricity, heating, cooling, water, and rubbish collection, generally come to around €150 per month for an average one-bedroom flat.

Grocery costs can vary depending on where you shop and your dietary preferences. Typically, a single person might spend about €400 per month on food, including groceries and occasional meals out.

Healthcare. Hungary provides universal health care through the National Health Insurance Fund, covering 100% of the population. 

Digital nomads can access public healthcare or opt for private expat insurance that grants access to top private hospitals.

Transportation. Budapest has a well‑organised public transport system that includes buses, the metro, trolleybuses, trams, suburban trains, and boats. A single ticket costs €1.20, and a monthly pass is €25.

Another transportation option is cycling. MOL Bubi is a bicycle-sharing scheme that allows users to hire bicycles from and return them to any docking station located at major transport hubs in central Budapest. There are currently 1,150 bikes available across 98 docking stations.

Places to stay. Budapest is the capital and main cultural and entertainment hub of Hungary. It has the fastest internet connection in the country, making it a popular choice for digital nomads, who form a large part of the expat community. Out of 403,000 immigrants residing in Hungary, around 100,000 live in Budapest.

There are several options for immigrants who find Budapest too expensive. Debrecen is the second-largest city in the country but is much quieter and cheaper. Szeged is home to one of Hungary’s largest universities and is welcoming to younger expats. 

Finally, the villages and towns around Lake Balaton are popular among digital nomads seeking a tranquil, nature-filled environment for long-term stays.

Other ways to obtain Hungarian residency

Investment. Foreigners can obtain a 10‑year Guest Investor Residence Permit by:

• investing at least €250,000 in real estate funds;
• purchasing €500,000 in residential real estate;
• donating €1 million to a higher education institution.

The permit can be extended for an additional 10 years. Investors who choose to live in Hungary can apply for permanent residency after 3 years. After 8 years as a permanent resident, they are eligible for citizenship.

Employment. Foreigners can obtain residence permits if they are employed by Hungarian companies. The work residence permits are divided into two groups depending on the qualification of the employee.

High-skilled individuals are eligible for an EU Blue Card if their monthly salary is 1.5 times higher than the average salary of the previous year in Hungary. Other employees can apply for a regular work permit.

In both cases, foreigners working in Hungary are eligible for permanent residence after 3 years.

Opening a company. Foreigners who want to do business in Hungary can obtain residency as self-employed guests.

To qualify, the entrepreneur needs to create a business plan, open an account in a Hungarian bank, register a company in the country, and prove savings of at least €10,000.

The initial permit is valid for 1 year, extendable for 2 years, with the option to add family members. However, they are not eligible for permanent residency.

Education. Students who enter a Hungarian university can obtain a long‑term D visa for study purposes that will allow them to apply for a residence permit after entering the country.

The applicants must prove that they have a letter of enrolment from a Hungarian university and that they have paid the tuition fee.

Students are not eligible for permanent residency. However, they can convert their student residence permits into a Residence Permit for the Purpose of Job‑searching or Entrepreneurship.

Family reunification. Family members of Hungarian citizens or residents are eligible for residence permits through reunification. Permanent residency timelines vary:

• minor children obtain permanent residency as soon as their parent is granted a permanent residence permit;
• dependent parents of foreigners with permanent residency can apply after 1 year;
• spouses of Hungarian citizens and permanent residents can apply for permanent status after 2 years of marriage.

The family reunification option is not available for family members of Hungary White Card holders.

Summary

1. The Hungary White Card is a digital nomad residence permit allowing non‑EU/EEA remote workers employed by foreign companies to live in Hungary for up to two years. 
2. Applicants must meet financial criteria, including a monthly salary of at least €3,000 and €10,000 in savings. 
3. A Hungarian residence permit offers benefits such as travelling across the Schengen Area, low taxes, and affordable cost of living.
4. Family members of the digital nomads cannot be included in the application. White Card holders are also not eligible to apply for permanent residency or citizenship. 
5. The Hungary Golden Visa is an alternative that allows foreigners to obtain a 10-year residence permit for an investment of at least €250,000. They can obtain permanent residency after 3 years of living in the country.