EU permanent residence permit in Hungary

In general, if a Third-country National plans to stay in Hungary for more than 90 days within any consecutive 180-day period, they are required to obtain a residence permit. However, in certain cases, such as when being a Family Member of an EEA Citizen, different types of immigration documents, like a Residence Card, may need to be acquired. For more detailed information on obtaining a Residence Card for study purposes, please refer to the following:

If you have intentions to enroll in an educational program at a public educational institution or if you plan to pursue higher education in Hungary, and your chosen higher education institution is officially recognized by the state or is a foreign higher education institution authorized to operate in Hungary, and you have been accepted into a full-time education, preparatory, or training program at one of these institutions, you must apply for a Residence Permit for the Purpose of Study. If your prospective higher education institution, educational program, or training does not meet these specified criteria, you will need to obtain a Residence Permit for Other Purposes in order to stay and study in Hungary for more than 90 days. Please consult the list of officially recognized Higher Education Institutions to ensure your institution qualifies.

If your primary purpose for entering and staying in Hungary is to study at a Hungarian Higher Education Institute, you must apply for a Residence Permit with the specific purpose of study.

To start with, an EC permanent residence permit shall be issued to a foreigner who meets the general conditions of residence (place of abode, solid financial background – salary and savings, health insurance, not being subject to any grounds of exclusion from Hungary, etc.) AND who lawfully resided in the territory of Hungary continuously for at least the preceding 5 years before the application was submitted. If the applicant has an EU Blue Card and he/she must have lawfully resided in the territory of Hungary continuously for at least the preceding 2 years, and in the territory of any Member State of the European Union for at least 5 years before the application was submitted. Some people cannot file an application because they constitute an exception to the general rule: foreigners studying in an institution of higher education or vocational training; or those coming here for seasonal employment or voluntary service activities; also people under diplomatic or other personal immunity or refugees, asylum-seekers, etc. The five-year period covers half of the duration of legal residence of persons pursuing studies in an institution of higher education or vocational training. It shall, however, not cover any duration of stay in Hungary under diplomatic or other personal immunity, or for seasonal employment or volunteer activities. The duration of residence of a third-country national in the territory of Hungary under refugee status, or under any subsidiary form of protection or temporary protection shall be included in the five years. If the period of lawful residence is disrupted, the required period of stay will be calculated from the time when a residence is re-established. The validity period of an EC permanent residence permit is 5 years, and it may be extended by an additional 5 years upon the foreign national’s request. A third-country national with EC permanent resident status shall have the right to reside in the territory of Hungary indefinitely, and also to enter without a visa the territory of any Schengen Member States. With an EC permanent residence card a foreigner has the right to engage in employment without a special permit in Hungary, and also to reside in the territory of other EU Member States to exercise an economic activity in an employed or self-employed capacity; or to pursue studies or vocational training; or for other purposes. Please note, that the EC permanent residence permit will be withdrawn if the foreigner was absent from the territory of the European Union for over twelve months; if the foreigner was granted long-term resident status in another Member State of the European Union; or if the foreigner was absent from the territory of Hungary for over six years.

Before you proceed with applying for a residence permit (for non-EU students) or registration (for EU students), it is crucial to ensure that you have all the necessary documentation ready. Here is a breakdown of the required documents for both new residence permit applications and permit extensions

In addition to the above checklist, you will need to submit your academic results transcript.

If there have been changes to your accommodation address or the address card is lost, you must report it to the immigration office.

Please note that if your accommodation address has not changed, you should not initiate a new 'case' for accommodation.

Here's a step-by-step procedure for the application process:

• Create an account or register as a private person on the website of the NATIONAL DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR ALIENS POLICING.0
• Follow the instructions in the document.
• Select 'residence permit' and then 'study or study mobility.
• Answer essential questions regarding whether it's an application for a new residence permit or an extension. Students from Ukraine and Belarus may be exempt from fee payment.
• Pay the required fees, which can vary based on your application type.
• Provide your personal data, noting that the residence permit can be granted for a maximum of 2 years.
• Specify the purpose of your stay.
• Upload the necessary documents as listed above.
• Submit your documents. If anything is missing, the office will notify you within 24 hours, so check your emails regularly.
• Wait for a notification. Only go to the office in person if you are requested to do so, typically for biometrical data collection.
• For students wishing to stay in Hungary after graduation, there are options for a "job search visa" or for "other purposes."

The processing time for obtaining a student residence permit in Hungary can vary depending on several factors, including the specific circumstances of your application, the volume of applications being processed by the immigration authorities, and any additional requirements or checks that may apply. However, as of my last knowledge update in January 2022, the standard processing time for a student residence permit in Hungary was approximately 30-60 days from the date of application submission.

It's essential to note that this processing time can change, and I recommend checking with the Hungarian immigration authorities or the institution you plan to study at for the most up-to-date information on processing times and requirements for student residence permits. Additionally, it's advisable to submit your application well in advance of your intended travel date to allow for any potential delays in processing.

Here are the details regarding administrative service fees related to residence permits in Hungary:

1. The administrative service fee for the issuance of a residence permit is EUR 110. This fee can be paid at the diplomatic or consular mission in EUR or another convertible currency. In exceptional cases, it may be paid in the legal tender of the state where the application is submitted.
2. For the extension of a residence permit, the administrative service fee is HUF 23,000 if the application is submitted electronically via NDGAP's electronic procedure initiation platform, "Enter Hungary."
3. If a third-country national holding the citizenship of a visa-free country is legally residing in Hungary and applies for the issuance of a residence permit, the administrative service fee is HUF 24,000 when the application is submitted electronically via "Enter Hungary."
4. For applications related to the issuance of a residence permit on the grounds of special circumstances, accompanied by a petition for equitable consideration, the administrative service fee is HUF 39,000 if submitted in person within the territory of Hungary.

Obtaining permanent residency in Hungary brings several significant advantages:

1. No Work Permit Required: With permanent residency, you no longer need a work permit to be employed in the country. This simplifies the process of finding and starting a job in Hungary, as you can begin your employment as soon as you agree with your employer.
2. Address Card and Hungarian ID Card: As a permanent resident, you are eligible to receive both an address card and a Hungarian ID card. These documents can be essential for various administrative and legal purposes.
3. Extended Renewal Period: The need to renew your permanent residency is less frequent, as it's required only every 5 years. This is an improvement from the previous maximum renewal period of 3 years, providing more stability and convenience.

Overall, obtaining permanent residency in Hungary streamlines the process of finding work, provides you with important identification documents, and reduces the frequency of renewal, making your stay and employment in the country more straightforward and stable.

Hungary offers two main types of residence statuses: Temporary Residence Permit and Permanent Residence Permit. Here are some key differences between the two, based on the information provided:

Temporary Residence Permit:

• Requires a work permit to engage in employment.
• Involves waiting for approval of labor demand with the local Labor Department or Immigration Office, which can be time-consuming.
• The temporary residence permit allows for employment but comes with a limited duration and needs to be periodically renewed.
• Holders of a temporary permit may have the right to administrative cards and temporary identification documents.

Permanent Residence Permit:

• Does not require a work permit for employment.
• Includes the issuance of an address card and a Hungarian identification card (ID card).
• The permanent residence permit is granted for a longer period, with a renewal required only every five years.
• Holders of a permanent permit can freely seek employment and commence work immediately with their employers.