Ways to live in Hungary
These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.
Programme details are shown in English.
Digital nomad visa Digital nomad visas →
White Card (digital nomad residence permit)
Residence permit for non-EU citizens employed abroad or owning a profitable foreign business who work remotely from Hungary.
- What you need
- A foreign employer that allows remote work, or a profitable foreign business, and income of at least €3,000 a month after tax for the 6 months before entry and throughout the stay. Also: housing in Hungary, health cover, a valid passport and a return ticket; no work for Hungarian employers or stakes in Hungarian companies.
- Income
- from about $3,480 a month
- How long
- Up to 1 year, extendable once by 1 year if you spend at least 90 of every 180 days in Hungary
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- €110 at a consulate; in Hungary 39,000 forints in person or 26,000 forints online; extension 26,000 forints
- Processing time
- 21 days
- How to apply
- At a Hungarian consulate in your country of citizenship or residence; visa-free nationals can apply in Hungary online (Enter Hungary) or at the immigration office. Extensions are online only.
- Path to permanent residence
- No, and you cannot switch to another permit from inside Hungary
Work permit Work permits →
EU Blue Card (EU work permit for qualified specialists)
For highly qualified employees of Hungarian companies.
- What you need
- A contract of at least 6 months for a job that needs higher education, a degree or high-level experience (3 years in the last 7 for IT roles), and a gross monthly salary of at least HUF 1,001,048 in 2026 (HUF 800,838 for listed health jobs).
- Income
- from about $2,900 a month
- How long
- Up to 4 years, extendable by up to 4 years
- Renewable
- Yes
- Processing time
- decision within 70 days
- How to apply
- At a Hungarian consulate, in Hungary, or by the employer via Enter Hungary
- Path to permanent residence
- Yes, an EU residence card after 2 years of continuous legal residence
Student visa Student visas →
Residence permit for studies
For full-time students at a Hungarian school, a recognised higher education institution or a preparatory course.
- What you need
- Enrolment and the language skills needed for the course. Students may work up to 30 hours a week in term time and full time for 90 days a year outside term.
- How long
- At least 1 year (or the course length if shorter), up to 3 years per permit
- Renewable
- Yes
- Processing time
- decision within 60 days
- How to apply
- At a Hungarian consulate, or online via Enter Hungary for visa-free nationals
- Path to permanent residence
- No, it does not lead to a national residence card
Freelancer and self-employed Freelancer and self-employed visas →
Residence permit for guest self-employment
For self-employed people and chief executives of a business in Hungary.
- What you need
- Legal income or savings for living costs, housing, healthcare and the trip home. Self-employed applicants can show yearly earnings above 24 times the minimum wage and a tax clearance certificate; company heads show 5 full-time employees for 6 months or that their presence is essential to the business.
- How long
- Up to 1 year, extendable by up to 2 years, 3 years in total
- Renewable
- Yes
- Processing time
- about 21 days
- How to apply
- At a Hungarian consulate, or in Hungary for visa-free nationals
- Path to permanent residence
- No, it does not lead to a national residence card
Investment and golden visa Investment and golden visas →
Guest Investor residence permit
Long-term residence permit for non-EU citizens who make a qualifying investment in Hungary. You can work and run a business freely.
- What you need
- Buy at least €250,000 in units of a registered Hungarian real-estate fund, or donate at least €1,000,000 to a university run by a public-interest foundation. Apply in Hungary within 30 days of entry.
- Savings
- about $290,000
- How long
- Up to 10 years, renewable for another 10
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- Visa €110; residence permit 39,000 forints in person or 26,000 forints online
- Processing time
- 21 days
- How to apply
- Only inside Hungary: online (Enter Hungary) or in person at the immigration office
- Family
- Family members can come with you
Cost of living
Monthly amounts in US dollars.
| Room in a shared flat | $400 |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom flat | $470 |
| Two-bedroom flat | $820 |
| Bills | $100 |
| Typical local salary | $1,660 |
Cities to consider
Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.
What life is like
Programme details are shown in English.
Why people move
Budapest combines Danube views, historic bathhouses and a lively bar and café scene. Most expats live in its central districts, while Debrecen, Szeged and Pécs offer smaller, quieter alternatives, and Lake Balaton is the summer escape.
Day to day
Trains and buses radiate from Budapest to the rest of the country. Public healthcare is underfunded, so many use private clinics. Cards and contactless are standard, internet is fast and affordable, and Hungarian is famously difficult.
Trade-offs
Hungarian is a real barrier outside Budapest. Bureaucracy can be confusing, and public healthcare waits are long. Winters are cold and grey with occasional smog.
Before you move: visa-free entry
Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:
United States90 days
United Kingdom90 days
Australia90 days
Canada90 days
New Zealand90 days
SwitzerlandVisa-free
NorwayVisa-free
Singapore90 days
Japan90 days
South Korea90 days
Israel90 days
United Arab Emirates90 days
Hong Kong90 days
South AfricaVisa
Mexico90 days
Brazil90 days
Questions
Does Hungary have a digital nomad visa?
Yes. Hungary offers: White Card (digital nomad residence permit).
How can I move to Hungary?
The routes we have checked are: Digital nomad visa, Work permit, Student visa, Freelancer and self-employed, Investment and golden visa.
When was this information checked?
The residence routes for Hungary were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
Sources and last check
Residence routes for Hungary were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
- OIF: Fehér Kártya – digitális nomád tartózkodás (updated 11 March 2026)
- OIF: Vendégbefektetői tartózkodási engedély (updated 3 March 2026)
- OIF: Eljárási díjak (procedural fees)
- https://oif.gov.hu/
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.
