Hungary work visa: permits for foreign workers

OIF sorts work routes by qualification. For work without qualifications or with secondary or vocational qualifications, it lists the National Card (citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Belarus, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine), the employment permit (Georgia, Armenia, Philippines) and a special permit for workers building key investments whose employer has an agreement with the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Nationals of other countries (Türkiye among them) are on none of the nationality lists.

For graduates, OIF points to the Hungarian Card (degrees in IT, engineering, natural sciences or music fields, plus professional athletes, coaches, performing artists and film workers) and the EU Blue Card (salary of at least HUF 1,001,048 gross a month in 2026). Transfers within a multinational group use the ICT permit, and farm, forestry and fishing jobs use the seasonal permit.

The employment permit (foglalkoztatási célú tartózkodási engedély) covers actual paid work under an employment contract with a Hungarian employer, or work in Hungary for a third-country employer under its agreement with a Hungarian company. It is issued to citizens of the countries in Annex 1 of Government Decree 450/2024 (XII.23.): Georgia, Armenia and the Philippines. The labour minister may exclude occupations by notice; OIF says none has been issued.

Holders cannot bring family, cannot obtain a national residence card and cannot apply in Hungary for a permit with another purpose. A stay beyond the 3-year total requires a new permit, which can be requested in Hungary at most 40 days before expiry.

Work permits share a core file: a pre-employment agreement or employment contract, proof of livelihood (the contract itself, a bank statement or an income certificate), proof of accommodation (lease, free-use agreement, ownership deed, paid booking or employer’s confirmation), health coverage and travel proof. Each specific permit adds its own evidence, such as degree certificates for the Hungarian Card or salary proof for the Blue Card.

Book a residence-permit appointment on the Hungarian consular booking system under the right purpose of stay, then lodge the OIF form and documents (originals and copies) at the Hungarian mission responsible for your place of residence, or the service provider it uses; an interview may follow. After approval a single-entry D visa valid for 3 months (30 days’ stay) is issued; you must enter within 3 months or the approval lapses.

Priority employers of national economic interest may file through Enter Hungary while the worker is abroad; since a recent change, the worker’s bilingual written consent is enough for the employer to submit, without consular signature authentication, but full representation still needs a power of attorney authenticated at the consulate.

Renewals are filed only inside Hungary through Enter Hungary, no earlier than 90 and no later than 30 days before expiry, while the permit is valid and after at least 90 days in every 180 spent in Hungary. A change of job, employer or workplace also needs a renewal application.

Appeal within 8 days of delivery, to the authority that decided or through the consulate where you applied. The appeal fee abroad is EUR 160; appeals filed late, without reasons or based on facts you knew before the decision are rejected without examination.