Immigration to Hungary
What you need to move depends on your citizenship. Find your group to see whether you need a registration, a residence card or a residence permit — and we will handle the procedure for you.
of countries with different rules
visa-free within any 180 days
Russian, Hungarian, English, French
usual residence permit processing
Country groups
What you need to move — by citizenship
Find your group. If you hold two citizenships, use the more convenient one.
1 · Registration
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens
27 EU countries plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
No residence permit needed, but if you stay in Hungary for more than 90 days, registration is required. We handle the registration and the documents that follow it.
After 5 years you can apply for permanent residence — we prepare that too.
2 · Family member card
Non-EU family of EU citizens
Spouses, children and parents of EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who hold a non-EU passport.
You need a residence card for family members. It is a full application reviewed by the immigration authority — we prepare and submit it for you.
3 · Citizenship
Hungarian ancestry
If your ancestors were Hungarian citizens and you speak Hungarian.
You may be eligible for Hungarian citizenship through the simplified procedure — then you will not need a residence permit. We check your eligibility and prepare the application.
4 · Visa-free entry
Schengen visa-free countries
For example the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, Israel, Serbia, Ukraine and Moldova.
A visa-free stay is limited to 90 days within any 180. For a longer stay you need a residence permit, and for some purposes the application has to be made before you enter Hungary. We tell you which permit fits your case and handle the application.
This also applies to UK citizens who arrived after 1 January 2021.
5 · D visa
Visa-required countries
For example Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, India, China and African countries.
You need a residence permit before you move. We prepare the application and follow your case until you receive your residence card.
For Russian and Belarusian citizens some programmes, such as the Golden Visa, have additional conditions — we will check your case.
Grounds
If you need a residence permit — on what grounds
For non-EU citizens the ground depends on the purpose of your move.
Frequently asked questions
No, but if you stay longer than 90 days, registration is required. We handle it for you.
It depends on the purpose of your stay: for some permits you can apply from Hungary, for others only before entry. Tell us your situation and we will tell you which applies.
Usually 30 days, or 60 days for work.
Yes, if you arrived after 1 January 2021.
Applying from another country is possible under certain conditions. We will check your case.
Related pages
Tell us about your situation
Your citizenship, the purpose of your move and your timeline — we will tell you which procedure you need.
Support for expats in Hungary: residence permits, business, real estate and everyday life.
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