Conditions to apply

Any third country national, i.e. a non-EU/EEA citizen, may qualify for a White Card, if

• they have a verified employment relationship with a company in a country other than Hungary,
• they perform their job from Hungary using advanced digital technology,
• they have a legal (net) income of at least EUR 3,000 per month for at least 6 months prior to application and for the entire duration of your stay in Hungary,
• they have accommodation in Hungary, and
• comprehensive health insurance in Hungary, or valid for Hungary for the whole duration of the stay, or the sufficient financial assets to pay for such services.

Rights & Obligations of White Card holders

The White Card

• is valid for 1 year and maybe extended by an additional 1 year,
• is not eligible for permanent residence in Hungary,
• does not entitle the holder to apply for family reunification for their family members.
• may be revoked, if the third-country national has left the territory of Hungary for a period exceeding 90 days.

Nationals of the eligible countries (Argentina, Australia, Chile, Colombia, Hong Kong, Japan, New-Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan) may qualify for this program, if they fulfill the conditions prescribed by the respective international agreement between Hungary and their country of nationality.

The residence permit for employment purposes is available to nationals of Armenia, Georgia and the Philippines., who are full-time employees, earn at least the minimum wage in Hungary, and perform a job that requires no or low-skills. The residence permit is valid for 1 year, which may be extended by an additional 2-years, and must be renewed after a total of 3 years. Its holder is not eligible for family reunification, nor permanent residence in Hungary.

You may be eligible for a Hungarian Card, if

- you are highly qualified and employed full time as a highly qualified employee in the fields of IT, natural sciences and engineering, or professional sports (coach), or a performance artist, or work in the film industry, and

- you have a higher education degree from outside of Hungary.

The Hungarian Card is valid for at least 1 year, and may be extended indefinitely. Its holder is eligible for family reunification and permanent residence in Hungary.

You may be eligible for an EU Blue Card, if you are

- employed as a highly qualified person, OR

- you hold an EU Blue Card from another EU Member State where you resided for at least 12 months or 6 months in a second Member State, and

- your salary is 1,5x of that of the Hungarian avarage salary ( gross HUF 1.080.000,- in 2026).

Its holder may only switch employers after the 1st year. The EU Blue Card is valid for at least 2 years but a maximum of 4 years, and may be extended indefinitely. Its holder is entitled to family reunification and permanent residence in Hungary.

If you are a national of Ukraine, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Moldova, Russia, or Belorus, and you are employed in Hungary, you may apply for a National Card., wether you are highly skilled or you perform a job that requires no skills. A National Card holder must earn at least the minimum wage in Hungary. This residence permit is valid for at least 1 year but a maximum of 3 years and can be extended indefinitely. Its holder is entitled to family reunification and permanent residence in Hungary.

You may be eligible for a Guest Investor status, if you

- acquire an investment fund share of at least EUR250,000 issued by a real estate fund registered by the Hungarian National Bank, or

- provide a financial donation in an amount of at least EUR1,000,000 and for a purpose of educational, scientific research or artistic creation activities, to a higher education institution maintained by a public trust with a public-service mission.

This residence permit is valid for 10 years, which may be extended. Its holder is entitled to family reunification.

If you are planning to become self-employed (sole trader) or you want to start your own business, you may qualify for a Residence Permit for Guest Self-Employment. Once your business is registered, you may lodge your immigration application, provided your annual personal income from your business reaches the amount equivalent to 24x the minimum wage in Hungary. This residence permit is valid for 1 year, which may be extended by an additional 2 years but which must be renewed after 3 years. Its holder is only entitled to family reunification after the 1st year, and is not eligible for permanent residence in Hungary.

You may qualify for permanent residence in Hungary, if:

• you have accommodation in the territory of Hungary and your subsistence is ensured;
• you have comprehensive healthcare insurance or sufficient financial resources for healthcare services;
• you have a residence permit or an interim permanent residence permit; and
• if your residence is in accordance with the interest of Hungary;

AND one of the following conditions apply to you:

• if you have lived in Hungary continuously for at least 3 years, or
• if you have been married to a Hungarian citizen, a refugee or a permanent resident in Hungary for at least 2 years.

This residence permit is valid for 10 years, which may be extended , and its holder is entitled to family reunification and Hungarian citizenship.

You may be eligible for an EU Permanent Residence Card, if you

- have continuously resided in Hungary for 5 years, or

- hold an EU Blue Card,

AND

- you have resided in Hungary for 2 years,

AND

- you resided for 5 years in another EU Member State with an EU Blue Card, a residence permit for research or study.

This residence permit is valid for 10 years, which may be extended , and its holder is entitled to family reunification and Hungarian citizenship.

You may qualify for Family Reunification, if:

• you are the family member, meaning spouse or the minor child (including adopted and foster children)
• of a Hungarian citizen, a third country national with a temporary or permanent residence permit, or a refugee or a beneficiary of subsidiary protection.

Due to the changes in immigration law, you may not apply for family reunification, if your family member holds a:

- Guest Self-Employed residence permit (within the first 1 year),

- Guest Worker residence permit,

- Residence permit for Employment,

- White Card,

- Residence permit for Study/Training purposes,

- Residence permit for Internship,

- Residence permit for volunteering.

The family member of an EEA national shall be given the right of residence if the EEA national

- plans to engage in gainful employment;

 - has sufficient resources for themselves and their family members not to become an unreasonable burden on the social assistance system of Hungary during the period of their stay, and have comprehensive sickness insurance cover for healthcare services as prescribed in specific other legislation, or if he or she assures to have sufficient resources for such services as required by statutory provisions.

The spouse and dependent child of an EEA national shall be given the right of residence if the EEA national

 - enrolled at an educational institution governed by the Act on the National Public Education System, or the Act on the National Higher Education System, for the principal purpose of pursuing a course of study, including vocational training and adult education if offering an accredited curriculum, and they have sufficient resources for themselves and their family members not to become an unreasonable burden on the social assistance system of Hungary during their entire period of residence, and have comprehensive sickness insurance cover for healthcare services as prescribed in specific other legislation, or if they assure that they have sufficient resources for themselves and their family members for such services as required by statutory provisions.

• The spouse;
• the direct descendants and those of the spouse who are under the age of 21 years or are dependents;
• the dependent direct relatives in the ascending line and those of the spouse ;
• the registered partner (registered before a Hungarian authority or the authority of another EU Member State);
• any person whose entry and residence has been authorised by the competent immigration authority on grounds of family reunification.

As an EU national, if you wish to live in Hungary for more than 90 days, you must register yourself with the National Directorate General for Aliens Policing.

If you need assistance with registering, please book an appointment above!