Hungary permanent residence: national and EU residence cards

You need three years of continuous lawful residence in Hungary immediately before applying, on a residence permit or temporary residence card. Shorter routes exist for dependent relatives living with Hungarian citizens or refugees, former Hungarian citizens and people of Hungarian descent; spouses must have been married for at least two years. Your stay must also be in Hungary’s interest.

Years spent on the following do not qualify: seasonal work, guest self-employment, investment-related work, employment and guest-worker permits, study (including job search), training, medical treatment, the White Card, traineeship and volunteering. In practice, Hungarian Card, EU Blue Card, family reunification and guest investor holders are the main candidates.

You need five years of legal and continuous residence in Hungary, or two years in Hungary with an EU Blue Card immediately before applying combined with five years in EU states on a Blue Card, research or study permit. Students, seasonal workers, volunteers, diplomats and protection holders cannot obtain it. The status is lost after more than 12 months outside the EU or more than six years away from Hungary.

Both cards require a certificate of the Hungarian cultural knowledge exam, proof of means (savings, assets, Hungarian income, regular foreign income or a family member’s notarised maintenance undertaking), proof of housing (ownership, lease or a family member’s notarised statement), health coverage, birth and marriage certificates, all passports used during the residence period and a photo. The national card also needs a criminal record certificate under six months old from your previous country of residence. Foreign documents need legalisation and a certified Hungarian translation.

Applications are submitted only via Enter Hungary. They count as received once the fee is paid and your photo, fingerprints and signature are recorded at an OIF directorate within 15 days of the confirmation. The authority decides within 70 days; the card is posted to you and is valid for up to 10 years, renewable for another 10.

A refused national residence card can be appealed within 15 days of delivery to the authority that decided. Decisions taken by the minister on national-interest grounds cannot be appealed. The national card can be revoked within five years if conditions change significantly, or for false data, expulsion or security reasons.