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Long Stays in Hungary: A Helpful Guide

If you're planning to stay in Hungary for an extended period of time, you're in for an incredible adventure. From the bustling city of Budapest to towns like Pécs and Debrecen, the entire country has a rich history and culture that travelers adore.

There are a lot of things to do to prepare for your long term trip to Hungary, and one of the most crucial parts of your preparation is obtaining a visa.

Most travelers spending ample time in Hungary will need to apply for a residence permit - but who needs one? Which type do you need, and what are the requirements? Lastly, how do you even apply for a residency in Hungary?

We're going to answer all of that here.

Do you need a long stay visa for Hungary?

Many countries require foreigners to apply for a long stay visa for long trips. Instead, Hungary requires foreigners to apply for a residence permit.

If you are NOT an EU/Schengen country citizen AND plan to stay in Hungary for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a residence permit.

If you can travel to Hungary visa-free (for short stays), you can apply for residence when you arrive in Hungary. This only applies if you're a student, joining a family member, seeking medical treatment, or doing research/volunteer work. Other scenarios may require you to apply for residence before arriving. This applies to US and UK citizens as well as several other nationalities.

If you cannot travel to Hungary without a visa (for short stays), you will need to apply for a residence permit in your current country of residence. This applies to Indian and Chinese citizens, for instance, as well as many others.

Who can apply for a Hungarian residence permit?

In theory, anyone can apply for a Hungary residence permit. With that being said, there are qualifications that applications will need to meet.

If any of the following circumstances apply to you, you are eligible to apply:

You're a student looking to study in Hungary.
You want to join a family member who is legally residing in Hungary.
You're a foreigner seeking medical treatment in Hungary.
You're a foreign researcher or volunteer.
You're going to Hungary for work.

There isn't just one type of residence permit; there are several. The one that you need to apply for is the one that matches your situation, hence, why you are spending time in Hungary in the first place.

Types of Hungary residence permits

The type of residence permit you need is the one that matches your situation. There are several different types, and each has its own requirements for applicants.

Types of Hungary residence permits include:

Employment
Pursuing income-generating activity
Educational purposes
Family reunification (joining a family member who legally lives in Hungary)
Research
Digital nomads (the permit is called a White Card).

Hungary residence permit application requirements

While generally anyone can apply for a residence permit for Hungary, you do need to have a purpose for residing in Hungary, as well as meet the application requirements.

When it comes to residence permits, there are general requirements that all applicants must meet, then there are specific requirements that pertain directly to the permit you're applying for.

General requirements

All foreigners applying for residence in Hungary will need to meet the following requirements/present the following documents when they apply.

A valid passport that has 3 months of remaining validity beyond your intended stay in Hungary.
One recent passport-sized photo (in color).
A completed residence application form, signed. This application must be in Hungarian or English.
Proof of airline tickets to and from Hungary.
Proof of comprehensive health insurance that covers you for the entire stay.
Proof of accommodation secured in Hungary.
Proof of financial means. You need to be able to show evidence that you can support yourself the entire time you will be in Hungary.

Keep in mind that there may be additional/varying requirements for applicants of different Nationalities/residencies. For the most up-to-date and accurate requirements, you should always look to the official Hungarian Embassy

Specific requirements

Specific requirements vary depending on which permit you're applying for. For example, those looking to work in Hungary will need to provide different documentation than those looking to study there.

Because the requirements vary so greatly, it's best to get the information from the official Hungarian Embassy website.

How to apply for a Hungary residence permit

The application process is pretty straightforward when it comes to Hungarian residence permits. As mentioned above, where you can apply for the permit depends on your nationality and which permit you're applying for.

Determine which permit you need to apply for and whether or not you can apply in Hungary.
Prepare all of the necessary application documents. These are the requirements that we talked about above. You will need to gather the general requirements as well as the specific ones that apply to you. Keep in mind that Hungarian officials can ask to see additional documents that aren't listed.
Book an in-person appointment and attend it.
Wait for your application to process and receive an answer! The processing time can vary. For US citizens, for example, the processing time is about 30 days - unless it's a work permit, then it's 60.