HungaryPermanent residence

National residence card in Hungary

A permanent right of residence in Hungary for third-country nationals. The card is issued for a long period and can be renewed. The grounds are: continuous lawful residence in the country, family ties with a Hungarian citizen or long-term resident, or the status of a former Hungarian citizen. It requires proof of accommodation, means of subsistence and health insurance.

Source: oif.gov.hu — Nemzeti tartózkodási kártya

Who the programme suits

The national card is intended for third-country nationals who wish to obtain indefinite residence status in Hungary.

By length of residence

Three years of continuous lawful stay in Hungary
Dependants of citizens with long-term status (at least a year of care)
Former Hungarian citizens and their descendants

By family ties

Spouses of Hungarian citizens or of persons with long-term rights (a marriage of at least two years)
Children of persons with long-term status or recognised refugees
Parents of third-country nationals with permanent status in Hungary

Professional categories

Foreign workers who have completed a three-year period of stay
Self-employed people with an established place of business in the country
Entrepreneurs who have invested in development in Hungary

When the programme will not work

Current permits for seasonal work, study, a placement or volunteering

The White Card for digital nomads, temporary residence cards, work visas

No permanent accommodation, means of subsistence or health insurance

First secure the material conditions; temporary residence permits

A criminal record, a security threat or a history of false statements to the authorities

The permit may be refused; a criminal-record certificate no more than 6 months old is required

Documents to gather

All documents are filed electronically through the Enter Hungary portal. Foreign documents must be translated and apostilled.

Valid passport
Birth certificate
Marriage certificate (if you are married)
Criminal-record certificate, no more than 6 months old
Certificate confirming that the examination in Hungarian cultural knowledge has been passed (compulsory from 1 January 2025)
Proof of accommodation: rental agreement, title deed or notarised agreement
Proof of financial means: bank statements, employer's certificate, tax certificate or property documents
Health insurance policy valid in Hungary
Travel document for entry (a passport is sufficient)
Colour photograph in electronic form

How the process runs

The procedure is fully digital. The application is filed through the Enter Hungary portal, with biometric data registered in person.

1
Preparing and translating documents
1-2 weeks
Collect the original documents, have foreign ones translated into Hungarian and obtain apostilles on the translations.
2
Passing the examination in Hungarian cultural knowledge
variable
Compulsory from 1 January 2025. The examination tests knowledge of the basics of Hungarian history, culture and social order. Several attempts are permitted.
3
Filing the application through Enter Hungary
1 day
Upload all the documents to the Enter Hungary portal in electronic form, pay the fee (where applicable) and receive your application number.
4
Registering biometric data
15 days
Once payment is confirmed, attend the immigration office to have your fingerprints, photograph and signature taken. The application counts as received after this registration.
5
Examination of the application
70 days
The standard processing time is 70 days from the registration of biometrics. For children born in Hungary to parents with permanent status, the application is given priority and decided within 5 days.
6
Issue of the card and registration
1 day
If the decision is positive, you receive the national residence card for 10 years. The card also serves as an identity document.

Who you can bring with you

Family members have their own routes to status, but they may claim the same card if they meet the conditions.

Spouse

The marriage must have been concluded at least 2 years before the application is filed. The spouse of a Hungarian citizen or of a person with long-term status may apply for the national card straight away.

Children under 18

Children born in Hungary to parents with permanent status receive the card on a priority basis (5 days). Children of third-country nationals usually follow their parent.

Dependants

Dependent relatives of citizens with long-term status must have been cared for for at least one year and must go through the card procedure themselves.

Former Hungarian citizens

People who previously held Hungarian citizenship, and their direct descendants (children, grandchildren), have simplified grounds and may claim the status without the three-year residence condition.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

A certificate confirming that the examination in Hungarian cultural knowledge has been passed is required, along with the absence of any security threat or criminal record.

The national residence card is valid for up to 10 years inclusive and is renewed for a further 10 years through the same Enter Hungary portal. Renewal requires the examination in Hungarian cultural knowledge to be taken again, along with proof of financial means, accommodation and health insurance. The procedure mirrors the initial application: uploading documents, registering biometrics and examination within 70 days. The card may be withdrawn if the applicant has been absent from Hungary for more than 6 months without good reason, or if the circumstances on which the card was issued have changed.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

This is permanent status: the card gives the right to live in Hungary without a time limit. It is issued for 10 years and renewed for a further 10 through the Enter Hungary system.

Route to citizenship

Citizenship is requested after 8 years of continuous residence in Hungary.

Frequently asked questions about National residence card

Do I need a visa before applying for the national card?

If you are already in Hungary with a valid residence permission (visa or residence permit), no separate visa is required. Recognised refugees may apply without a visa or permit. Other foreigners must have lawful grounds for their stay at the time of filing.

Can I work in Hungary while the national card application is being examined?

The right to work is determined by the type of residence permit in force at the time of filing. Holders of temporary permits for seasonal work, study or a placement are not entitled to obtain the national card. Once the card has been issued, you may work without restriction.

What happens if I move house while my application is being examined?

You must notify the local authorities of the change of address and obtain a new address certificate. This may affect the examination timeline but does not interrupt the procedure itself, provided you remain in Hungary and continue to meet the conditions for the card.

What does the examination in Hungarian cultural knowledge involve and how should I prepare?

The examination in Hungarian cultural knowledge (magyar kulturális ismereti vizsga) has been compulsory since 1 January 2025 and tests knowledge of Hungary's history, geography, system of government and cultural traditions. The examination is held in Hungarian; information on preparation courses and the timetable is available on the Enter Hungary portal.

How long is the card valid and can it be renewed?

The card is issued for up to 10 years and may be renewed for a further 10 years. Renewal is done through the Enter Hungary portal 6 months before expiry. On renewal you must take the cultural examination again and confirm your financial situation and housing conditions.

On what grounds may the card be withdrawn?

The card may be withdrawn if: you gave false information when filing; you pose a threat to Hungary's public or national security; you have been absent from the country for more than 6 months without good reason; or the conditions on which the card was issued have changed substantially (for example, loss of accommodation or health insurance). If the card is refused or withdrawn, an appeal may be filed within 15 days.

Other ways to move to Hungary

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Hungary.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.