What to Remember When Immigrating to Hungary
Over 400,000 immigrants were recorded in Hungary by the end of 2023. The foreign-born population in the country reached over 677,000 by the end of 2024.
It’s easy to see why so many people choose to make this gorgeous country their new home. The quality of life is excellent, and the cost of living is highly affordable.
If you want to move to Hungary, however, there are several more factors to consider.
Choosing the Right Permit
Before you picture yourself hiking the evergreen Hungarian forests, you must ensure you enter the country legally. This means applying for the right permit.
In 2025, Hungary offers various permit categories, as the country has eliminated the old Single Permit. You must apply separately for the following:
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Guest worker permit. You would typically apply for this permit if you want to work in Hungary during specific seasons or projects.
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Hungarian card. This permit is aimed at skilled talent in the IT, engineering, or arts industries, among others.
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Guest investor permit. If you want to invest in the country (monetary investment), you can apply for a guest investor permit.
There are other ways to go about applying for permits. These include the EU Blue Card, White Card (for digital nomads), self-employment, or family reunification.
As a side note, keep in mind that guest worker permits are very limited, so they don’t allow permanent residency.
The Cultural Knowledge Exam
In January 2025, Hungary introduced a Hungarian-language exam. If you want to apply for permanent residence (National or EU Residence Card), you must pass this exam. The exam consists of 12 written questions about the country’s national symbols, history, culture, and other relevant topics.
You only get three chances to pass the exam. If you fail three times, you will be barred from applying for permanent residency.
Cuts to the Guest Investor Program
You can no longer obtain a Golden Visa through an investment of €500,000 in real estate. As of January 2025, you can only choose between investing €250,000 or donating €1 million to an educational institution. Both options will provide you with a 10-year residence permit, extendable once.
Three years after the investment, you can apply for permanent residency. But you must still pass the cultural exam.
Work Permit Restrictions
Keep in mind that Hungary caps work permit numbers. Only Georgian and Armenian citizens qualify automatically. If you are from another country, you will need a bilateral agreement in place. Plus, employers must prove that you are more qualified for a specific job compared to a Hungarian/EU candidate.
Qualifying for Permanent Residency
You must live in Hungary for three continuous years while holding a qualifying permit before you can qualify for a National Residence Card. If you want to apply for an EU Residence card, the period increases to five years.
You must also prove that you have accommodation, health insurance, subsistence, and a clean conduct certificate.
Other Factors to Consider
If you immigrate to Hungary to become a foreign legal resident, you can get public health insurance via your payroll contributions. If you are an EU cardholder, you qualify for urgent care.
The income tax rate is 15%, while the corporate tax rate is 9%. You may receive a tax break if you have multiple children. You may also qualify for maternity support or childcare allowances.
Immigration Remains a Sensitive Topic
It is important to note that Hungary is a conservative country, which means immigration remains a sensitive topic. That’s why it is crucial for you to maintain cultural awareness while pursuing permanent residency.
Sources
https://tradingeconomics.com/hungary/foreign-born-population-eurostat-data.html
https://hungarygoldenvisa.io/guides/moving-to-hungary/
https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/news/hungary-latest-immigration-statistics-2024-06-10_en/
https://tradingeconomics.com/hungary/foreign-born-population-eurostat-data.html/
https://www.fragomen.com/insights/hungary-new-immigration-laws-effective-march-1-2024.html
https://hungaryvisa.org/visas/digital-nomad-visa/
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=b0d406b6-7c30-49de-b906-1713d0e899c0
https://taxfoundation.org/location/hungary/
https://odi.org/en/insights/learning-lessons-the-hard-way-hungary-immigration-and-competitiveness/
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