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HungaryResearch residence permit

Research residence permit in Hungary

A residence permit for third-country nationals carrying out research at accredited organisations in Hungary. It is based on a written hosting agreement between the researcher and the host organisation, which undertakes to cover the costs of expulsion if that becomes necessary. It is issued for one to two years and can be renewed. It gives the right to do research work at the host organisation and allows short-term and long-term mobility.

Visa term
At least 1 year, a maximum of 2 years; renewable for up to 2 years for the same purpose.
Work
It gives the right to carry out research activity at the host organisation.
Next
The EU residence card is granted after 5 years of continuous lawful residence in Hungary.

Source: oif.gov.hu — A kutatás célú tartózkodási engedély

Two ways to file

The application may be filed through a Hungarian mission abroad or through the Enter Hungary platform from within Hungary.

If you need a visa

  • File at the Hungarian consulate in your country of nationality or habitual residence
  • Collect all the documents (hosting agreement, finances, insurance and passport)
  • Pay the fee of EUR 110
  • Receive the decision within 60 days

If you are visa-free (in Hungary)

  • File through the Enter Hungary portal online or in person at a regional OIF directorate
  • Pay HUF 26,000 (online) or HUF 39,000 (in person)
  • Provide biometric data and documents
  • Receive the decision within 60 days of filing

When the programme will not work

You have applied for refugee status or been granted it

Apply to the refugee affairs directorate (DUIR)

You already hold a residence permit in another EU state

Check with the Hungarian consulate whether you can move between categories

You work under intra-corporate transfer or highly qualified worker schemes

Use the category for highly qualified specialists or for investment

You are an EU citizen or have the right of free movement

Register as an EEA citizen through the local district office

What it costs

Fee when filing at a consulateIn euros; converted at the rate on the day of payment110 HUF
Fee when filing in person at the OIFIn Hungarian forints39 000 HUF
Fee through Enter Hungary onlineThe lower rate for electronic filing26 000 HUF
Renewal of the permitPaid on renewal through Enter Hungary26 000 HUF
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.91 110 HUF

Paid separately

  • Health insurance — A compulsory condition, but part of your own living costs
  • Biometric registration — Part of the process; there is no separate charge

Documents to gather

All documents must be prepared in Hungarian or English, or accompanied by an official translation.

  • Hosting agreement (fogadási megállapodás) with an accredited research organisation
  • Valid passport or other travel document
  • Proof of financial means — an employment contract, bank statement, documents on savings or tax returns
  • Proof of an address in Hungary (flat rental agreement, letter from the landlord)
  • Proof of health insurance (social or private)
  • Proof of sufficient funds for the return journey
  • One photograph 35 x 45 mm (passport format)
  • Completed application form (the consulate has a separate form)

How the process runs

The procedure differs according to where the application is filed: through a consulate abroad or through Enter Hungary from within Hungary.

  1. 1

    Obtain the written agreement of the research organisation

    Usually 2-4 weeks of negotiation

    The accredited organisation issues a written hosting agreement (fogadási megállapodás) confirming that it is inviting you for research work and undertaking to cover the costs of expulsion if you are left without means.

  2. 2

    Collect all the required documents

    1-2 weeks

    Prepare your passport, proof of finances, your address in Hungary, proof of insurance, a photograph and a document showing sufficient funds for the return journey.

  3. 3

    Choose how to file and pay the fee

    1 day

    If you need a visa, file at the Hungarian consulate (EUR 110). If you are in Hungary visa-free, file through Enter Hungary (HUF 26,000 online or HUF 39,000 in person) or in person at a regional OIF directorate.

  4. 4

    File the application and give biometrics

    Up to 15 days

    Upload the documents through Enter Hungary or bring them in person. Give your fingerprints and photograph. After that the application counts as formally accepted.

  5. 5

    Waiting for the decision

    60 days from filing

    The regional directorate examines the documents. The 15-day period does not include requests for additional documents or biometrics. If clarification is needed, the OIF will contact you.

  6. 6

    Receive the permit

    By post, usually within a few days of the decision

    The residence permit is sent by post to your address in Hungary. It takes effect from issue and may be reissued after one or two years.

Who you can bring with you

Family members of a researcher may come to Hungary on the basis of family reunification if certain conditions are met.

Spouse (registered with the civil registry)
May accompany the researcher if the spouse holds a valid family residence document issued by an EU state. For short-term mobility (up to 180 days) family members may accompany the researcher under a special mobility permit.
The researcher's children (biological, adopted, stepchildren)
Dependent children under 21 (or older, if financially dependent) may come on the same basis as spouses, under an EU family permit.
For long-term mobility (over 180 days within 360 days)
Family members must hold separate mobility permits, issued at the same time as the researcher's permit or through a separate procedure.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

Filing abroad at a Hungarian mission, or in Hungary through Enter Hungary for those entering visa-free. Separate mobility permits exist: over 180 days, and up to 180 days within 360.

The permit may be renewed only from within Hungary, through the Enter Hungary platform. The conditions: you must hold the current permit at the time of filing and have spent at least 90 days in Hungary in any 180-day period before renewal. You may file no earlier than 90 days and no later than 30 days before expiry. The initial permit is valid for 1-2 years and may be renewed for a maximum of 2 further years for the same purpose (research). The renewal fee is HUF 26,000. The renewal decision is taken within 15 days, but the time taken for biometric registration and document requests does not count towards that period.

How it differs from the routes next to it

The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.

Research residence permitInvestor residence permitDigital nomad card
Visa termAt least 1 year, a maximum of 2 years; renewable for up to 2 years for the same purposeResidence permit granted for 10 years at once, renewable for another 10 without new investmentUp to 1 year, renewable once for a further year (2 years maximum)
MoneyThe residence permit fee is EUR 110 when filing at a consulateReal-estate fund from EUR 250,000 (5 years) OR real estate from EUR 500,000 OR a donation from EUR 1,000,000Net income from about EUR 3,000 a month
WorkIt gives the right to carry out research activity at the host organisationThe right to live, study, run a business and workRemote work for foreign clients and employers; working for a Hungarian company is not allowed
ResidenceFiling abroad at a Hungarian mission, or in Hungary through Enter Hungary for those entering visa-freeNo residence requirementActual residence is expected

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to citizenship

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

Frequently asked questions about Research residence permit

May a researcher work under an employment contract while holding the research residence permit?
The permit gives the right to carry out research activity at the host organisation. Work under an employment contract outside research purposes requires a separate authorisation; it is advisable to check with the OIF which activities may be carried on in parallel.
What happens if I lose my funding during my stay?
The host organisation is obliged to cover the costs of expulsion if you are left without means. You should, however, notify the organisation and the OIF immediately of any change in your financial position.
How long does the application take to process?
Standard processing is 15 days. The final decision is nevertheless issued within 60 days of filing. Those periods do not include requests for additional documents or the procedure for giving biometric data.
May I travel within Hungary or to other Schengen countries during my stay?
Yes. Long-term mobility allows you to be away from Hungary for up to 365 consecutive days. Short-term mobility covers absences of up to 180 days in any 360-day period. A separate mobility permit is required for such trips.

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.