Residence Permits for third-country nationals related to income generation or employment

If a third-country national wants to work or earn income in Hungary, they will need a residence permit.

According to the new Act XC of 2023, new categories of residence permits have been introduced.

Below are the types of residence permits in Hungary related to income generation or employment. We offer assistance with the application process and the extension of existing permits:

Guest Investor Visa

The Guest Investor Visa allows a stay exceeding ninety days within a one-hundred-and-eighty-day period and multiple entries into Hungary for the purpose of applying for a Guest Investor Residence Permit.

A Guest Investor Visa can be issued to a third-country national who:

Has an investment in Hungary that qualifies as a national economic interest,
Declares that they possess or intend to possess at least one of the investments defined by law,
Provides evidence that they have the legally sourced funds for at least one of the investments specified by law, which must be available or transferable within Hungary,
Submits a written commitment that they will carry out at least one investment of the required type and amount within the validity of the visa after entering Hungary with the Guest Investor Visa.

The following investments are considered to be of national economic interest:
a) Acquisition of investment units worth at least EUR 250,000, issued by a real estate fund registered by the Hungarian National Bank.
b) Providing a financial donation of at least EUR 1,000,000 to a higher education institution maintained by a public-benefit trust foundation, for the purpose of supporting education, scientific research, or artistic activities.

The Guest Investor Visa is valid for up to six months.

Golden Visa Program of Hungary

Guest Investor Residence Permit

The Guest Investor Residence Permit is a type of residence permit that authorizes its holder to reside in Hungary and to engage in activities that can be lawfully performed independently for remuneration or to act as a senior official (e.g., executive officer) of a business entity, cooperative, or any other legal entity established for income-generating purposes.

The Guest Investor Residence Permit, along with the residence permit issued for family cohabitation purposes, entitles the holder to engage in employment relationships for remuneration, whether for others or under the direction of others. Third-country nationals holding this permit may work in Hungary without restrictions.

A Guest Investor Residence Permit may be issued to a third-country national who: has a valid Guest Investor Visa or is eligible to enter Hungary without a visa, or who has an investment in Hungary that qualifies as a national economic interest.

The Guest Investor Residence Permit is valid for up to ten years, with a possible extension for another ten years. The validity of the permit may exceed the validity of the applicant’s travel document.

The third-country national must prove within three months of entering Hungary that they have completed the investment as declared by submitting proof via the electronic platform of the immigration authority.

Guest Self-Employment Residence Permit

Guest Self-Employment Residence Permit may be issued to a third-country national whose purpose of residence is to engage in independent, remunerated activities (i.e., to become a self-employed individual entrepreneur) or to act as a senior official of a business entity, cooperative, or other legal entity established for income-generating purposes.

The initial validity of the Guest Self-Employment Residence Permit is up to one year. It can be extended for the same purpose for up to two additional years, but the total period of the permit cannot exceed three years from the date of initial issuance. After this period, a new Guest Self-Employment Residence Permit may be requested.

The extension of the permit is granted only if the permit holder has fulfilled the regular reporting requirements determined by the immigration authority.

During the validity period of the Guest Self-Employment Residence Permit and after its expiration, no other residence permit may be requested domestically under a different title.

Additionally, for one year after the issuance of the permit, no residence permit for family reunification can be requested based on the self-employed individual’s presence in Hungary.

The holder of a Guest Self-Employment Residence Permit cannot receive a National Residence Card (previously referred to as a National Settlement Permit).

Residence Permit for Seasonal Employment

As its name suggests, this permit is specifically for third-country nationals applying for seasonal employment. These seasonal jobs are defined by separate legislation.

The validity period of a residence permit issued for the purpose of seasonal employment is up to six months, which can be extended for a period not exceeding six months within a twelve-month period.

During the validity period of the residence permit for seasonal employment and after its expiration, no other residence permit may be requested domestically under a different title.

A third-country national holding a residence permit for seasonal employment cannot be used as a basis for granting a residence permit to another third-country national, meaning no residence permit for family reunification can be requested.

A third-country national holding a residence permit for seasonal employment cannot receive a National Residence Card (previously referred to as a National Settlement Permit).

Residence Permit for Employment Related to the Implementation of an Investment

A residence permit for employment related to the implementation of an investment may be issued to a guest worker whose purpose is to perform actual work under an employment relationship for remuneration for the realization of an investment, under the direction of another party. The employer must have signed an agreement or contract with the Minister responsible for foreign economic affairs, acting on behalf of the Government, or accepted a support offer, and the employer must have preliminary group employment approval (a government-issued guarantee for employing a specified number of guest workers for a defined period for the purpose of implementing the investment).

The residence permit for employment related to the implementation of an investment is valid until the completion of the investment, but for no more than three years, and it cannot be extended.

During the validity period of this permit and after its expiration, no other residence permit may be requested domestically under a different title.

A guest worker holding a residence permit for employment related to the implementation of an investment cannot be used as a basis for granting a residence permit to another third-country national, meaning no residence permit for family reunification can be requested.

A guest worker holding this permit cannot receive a National Residence Card (previously referred to as a National Settlement Permit).

The employer is responsible for ensuring that the guest worker leaves Hungary no later than the sixth day following the termination of the employment relationship.

Residence Permit for Employment

A residence permit for employment may be issued to a guest worker who performs actual work for remuneration under the direction of another party within an employment relationship. The Minister responsible for employment policy may publish a list of professions for which an employment-related residence permit cannot be issued.

A residence permit for employment may also be issued to a guest worker whose Hungarian employment is based on an employment relationship with an employer established in a third country for the purpose of fulfilling an agreement with a domestic employer in Hungary.

The Minister responsible for the employment of third-country nationals may specify in a regulation which nationals of certain third countries may be issued an employment-related residence permit.

The validity of the residence permit for employment is up to two years, and it may be extended for up to one additional year. After that period, the applicant may submit a request for a new employment-related residence permit if they meet the legal requirements.

During the validity period of this permit and after its expiration, no other residence permit may be requested domestically under a different title.

A guest worker holding this permit cannot be used as a basis for granting a residence permit to another third-country national, meaning no residence permit for family reunification can be requested.

A guest worker holding a residence permit for employment cannot receive a National Residence Card (previously referred to as a National Settlement Permit).

If the guest worker intends to establish a new employment relationship with another employer, or if there is a change in their position or place of work, they must submit a request to extend their employment-related residence permit.

The employer is responsible for ensuring that the guest worker leaves Hungary no later than the sixth day following the termination of the employment relationship.

Guest Worker Residence Permit

A Guest Worker Residence Permit may be issued to a guest worker whose purpose of residence is to perform actual work for remuneration under the direction of another party in Hungary, and whose employer is a registered preferential employer or a registered qualified temporary employment agency. The Minister responsible for the employment of third-country nationals defines by regulation which countries the guest worker may originate from and specifies the professions that are not restricted by the employment policy.

A preferential employer includes an employer with a valid strategic partnership agreement with the Government, an employer implementing a nationally significant investment project, an employer with a partnership agreement under the Key Exporter Partnership Program.

A qualified temporary employment agency is a temporary work agency listed in the government-approved register of qualified temporary employment agencies.

The Guest Worker Residence Permit is valid for up to two years and may be extended for up to one additional year. After this period, the applicant may request a new Guest Worker Residence Permit if the legal conditions are met.

During the validity period of the permit and after its expiration, no other residence permit may be requested domestically under a different title.

A guest worker holding a Guest Worker Residence Permit cannot receive a National Residence Card (previously referred to as a National Settlement Permit).

If the guest worker intends to establish a new employment relationship with another employer, they must submit a request to extend their Guest Worker Residence Permit.

The employer is responsible for ensuring that the guest worker leaves Hungary no later than the sixth day following the termination of the employment relationship. If the guest worker’s employment ends during the validity of the permit, the residence permit becomes invalid on the sixth day following the employer’s notification of the termination.

Hungarian Card

The Hungarian Card is a residence permit that entitles its holder, who has a higher professional qualification, to reside in Hungary and engage in employment requiring a higher professional qualification.

A higher professional qualification refers to a university degree or higher vocational qualification.

A Hungarian Card may be issued to a third-country national whose purpose of residence is to perform actual work for remuneration under the direction of another party or who, as a shareholder or executive officer of a business entity established for income-generating purposes, carries out actual work in addition to their business activities.

A Hungarian Card may also be issued to a third-country national with a higher professional qualification who is employed in Hungary to fulfil an agreement between a domestic employer and an employer established in a third country.

To be eligible for the Hungarian Card, a third-country national must meet at least one of the following criteria:

Possess a professional qualification listed in the announcement of the Minister responsible for higher education.
Be a professional athlete or coach.
Be a performing artist.
Be engaged in actual work for a film production company registered by the film authority according to the Act on Motion Pictures.

The Hungarian Card is valid for up to three years, and it may be extended for another three years at a time if the holder complies with the legal conditions, including the cultural examination requirement.

A third-country national holding a Hungarian Card may apply for a residence permit for family reunification for family members.

A holder of the Hungarian Card may receive a National Residence Card (previously referred to as a National Settlement Permit).

EU Blue Card

An EU Blue Card may be requested by a third-country national who possesses the higher professional qualification required for the job or the legally specified duration of relevant high-level professional experience and whose employment is supported by domestic labour market considerations and meets the criteria defined by law. The EU Blue Card entitles the holder to engage in highly skilled employment as specified by law. A third-country national who holds a valid residence permit for job search or business start-up purposes may apply for an EU Blue Card during the validity of their permit.

Furthermore, an EU Blue Card may also be issued to a third-country national who holds a residence permit for highly skilled employment issued by another EU Member State, provided they have lawfully resided in that Member State for at least twelve months, or in a second Member State for at least six months, and meet the EU Blue Card requirements in Hungary.

During the first year after issuance, the EU Blue Card holder may only engage in the employment for which the card was issued. After this period, they may change employment subject to prior approval if the new employment also meets the criteria for highly skilled work.

A third-country national holding an EU Blue Card may apply for a residence permit for family reunification for family members.

A holder of the EU Blue Card may apply for a National Residence Card (previously referred to as a National Settlement Permit).

Residence Permit for Intra-Corporate Transfers

A residence permit for intra-corporate transfers may be issued to a third-country national who provides proof that their employer, as a third-country-based company, and the host organization in the EU belong to the same corporate group and that the applicant is subject to an employment or training agreement with the sending organization before and during the transfer.

This includes situations where the sending organization has operations in multiple EU Member States and the employment contract necessitates the worker’s mobility between host organizations. In such cases, the third-country national may receive a long-term mobility permit for transfers within the EU.

A third-country national holding a residence permit for intra-corporate transfer may apply for a National Residence Card (previously referred to as a National Settlement Permit).

Residence Permit for Research Purposes

A residence permit for research purposes may be issued to a third-country national who has signed a hosting agreement with an accredited research organization for conducting scientific research in Hungary.

The validity of the residence permit for research purposes is at least one year and can be up to two years. If the hosting agreement is valid for less than one year, the permit’s validity period will match the duration of the agreement. The permit can be extended for up to two years at a time, provided that the hosting agreement remains valid.

A third-country national holding a residence permit for research purposes issued by another EU Member State may receive a short-term researcher mobility certificate, allowing them to stay in Hungary for up to 180 days within a 360-day period. This certificate can also be issued to the family members of the researcher.

For stays in Hungary exceeding 180 days, a long-term researcher mobility permit may be issued for up to 365 days. The family members of the researcher are also eligible for a long-term researcher mobility permit.

A researcher who has completed their research activities may apply for a residence permit for job search or business start-up purposes, provided the planned activity is consistent with the level of the completed research. This permit is valid for up to nine months and cannot be extended.

During the validity of the job search or business start-up permit, the applicant may apply for the issuance of the following:
a) Hungarian Card,
b) EU Blue Card, or
c) Guest Self-Employment Residence Permit.

Corporate Card

A Corporate Card may be issued to a third-country national who serves as a senior official or employee of a legal entity that qualifies as an employer under conditions specified by government regulation or has signed a relocation agreement with the government.

A Corporate Card may be issued to a third-country national whose purpose of residence is to act as a senior official of a business entity, cooperative, or other legal entity established for income-generating purposes and to perform actual work in addition to their official duties. Alternatively, it may be issued for performing remunerated employment under the supervision of another party.

The Corporate Card is valid for up to four years and may be extended for another four years at a time exclusively for the same purpose.

During the validity of the Corporate Card and after its expiration, no other residence permit may be requested domestically under a different title.

National Card

Nationals of the following countries may apply for a National Card if their purpose of stay is to perform actual work for or under the direction of another person, in return for compensation, including employment through temporary agency work:

Bosnia and Herzegovina; North Macedonia; Belarus; Moldova; Montenegro; Russia; Serbia; Ukraine

The National Card is valid for a maximum of two years and may be extended by up to three years at a time.

Based on the residence of a third-country national holding a National Card, additional third-country nationals may apply for a residence permit for family reunification purposes.

A third-country national holding a National Card may apply for a national residence card (formerly: national settlement permit).