How To Get Residency In Hungary: A Comprehensive Guide
Capital: Budapest
Population: 9,584,627 (Jan, 2024, 95th)
Ethnic groups: 97.7% Hungarian, 2.4% Romani, 1.2% German
Area: 93,030 km2 (108th)
Offical Language:Hungarian
Currency: Forint (As of Aug 5, 2025, 1 HUF = 0.0029 USD)
GDP per Captial (PPP): $49,147 (2025 estimated, 43rd)
Human Development Index: 0.870 (2023, 46th)
Country Profile:
Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe, famous for its music, dance, and cuisine. It is a member of the European Union, the Schengen Area, and NATO, but it has not adopted the euro.
Economically, Hungary is a moderately developed country, with its service and manufacturing sectors forming the backbone of its national economy. However, due to its aging population, the country has been facing a labor shortage in recent years.
The current Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, has been in power since 2010. Under his leadership, Hungary has developed one of the closest relationships with Russia and China in Europe.
Visa & Immigration System:
If you are from a non-EU country and want to move to Hungary, you must first apply for a local long-term residence permit. The Hungarian government issues different types of permits based on the reason for your stay:
1. Student Visa: This visa is for international students who are enrolled at a school in Hungary.
2. Work Residence Permit: This is issued to foreign employees who have a job in Hungary. It’s typically valid for two years and can be renewed as long as the employment continues.
3. Family Reunification Permit: This permit is for non-EU direct family members of a Hungarian citizen or resident.
4. Entrepreneur Visa: This permit is for foreign investors and entrepreneurs who establish a company in Hungary. It’s a type of investment visa similar to a startup visa, with relatively low capital requirements.
- To open a limited liability company (Kft), the required registered capital is 3 million HUF (approximately $8,358 USD).
- For a joint-stock company (Nyrt or Zrt), the required capital is 5 million HUF (approximately $13,930 USD).
By meeting these investment requirements and maintaining the company, you can apply for a one-year entrepreneur visa, which is renewable for two years. A popular method is to establish a company, purchase a property, and then use rental income as the main business activity to support the visa application.
5. White Card (Digital Nomad Visa): This visa is for digital nomads and remote workers with a minimum monthly income of €3,000 (approximately $3,343 USD). It allows them to live in Hungary for up to two years.
The White Card is only for the primary applicant and does not allow family members to join. It also does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship.
6. Golden Visa (Guest Investor Residence Permit): Starting in 2024, the Hungarian government launched a Golden Visa program for non-EU individuals, offering a 10-year residency. It provides two investment options:
- Invest €250,000 (approximately $274,421 USD) in a Hungarian real estate fund.
- Donate €1 million (approximately $1,096,291 USD) to a government-designated Hungarian university.
Taxation:
Hungary is known for having some of the lowest tax rates in Europe. Key taxes include:
Personal Income Tax: A flat rate of 15%.
Social Security: 13% for the employer and 18.5% for the employee.
Corporate Tax: 9%.
Property Tax: A maximum rate of 4%.
Permanent Residency & Citizenship:
If you’re interested in permanent residency, the rules are as follows:
For Hungarian Permanent Residency: You’ll need to have lived in Hungary legally for three years. During that time, your longest absence from the country can’t be more than four months, and your total time away can’t exceed nine months.
For EU Permanent Residency: You must have legally resided in Hungary for five years, with no single absence lasting more than six months.
For Hungarian Citizenship: After holding a Hungarian Permanent Residency card and living in Hungary for eight years, you can apply to become a citizen. To qualify, you must have a stable income, a clean criminal record, and pose no threat to national security. You also can’t have been absent for more than 45 days in any calendar year and must pass an exam on Hungarian language, culture, and history.
Passport Power:
Hungary recognizes multiple citizenships, and its passport is ranked 7th globally. As of August 5, 2025, Hungarian citizens can travel to 185 countries and territories without a visa, or with a visa on arrival or electronic travel authorization.
Useful Links:
Hungary E-visa Platform: https://enterhungary.gov.hu/eh/?en