National residence card

Table of Contents

What is the national residence card?

The national residence card is one of the long-term residence permits, corresponding to the previous national permanent residence permit. This permit provides for the right of long-term residence, and the holder is entitled to reside in Hungary indefinitely.

Who can apply for a national residence card?

Applications for a national residence card can be submitted by non-EEA citizens who already hold a residence permit in Hungary and also meet one of the following conditions:

  • The applicant has been legally residing in Hungary for at least 3 years without interruption (see details below)
  • Provided that the marriage has been contracted for at least 2 years, the spouse of the applicant
    • is a Hungarian citizen, or
    • has a right of long-term residence, or
    • recognised as a refugee,
  • The applicant is a minor child of a long-term resident or refugee
  • The applicant is the dependent ancestor of a person with long-term residence rights or recognised as a refugee, or of a Hungarian citizen, provided that they have been living together in Hungary for at least 1 year.

Long-term residence is not available for non-EEA nationals who hold one of the following permit types:

  • Guest worker permits:
    • residence permit for seasonal work purposes
    • residence permit for work purposes issued for the carrying out an investment
    • residence permit for employment purposes
    • guest worker residence permit
  • residence permit for guest self-employment purposes
  • residence permit for study purposes
  • job search and residence permit for business start-up
  • White Card
  • residence permit for training
  • temporary residence permit
  • residence permit for medical treatment
  • residence permit for assignment
  • residence permit for traineeship
  • residence permit for volunteering

Calculation of three years of uninterrupted residence

A 3-year legal and uninterrupted residence in Hungary is considered to be justified if the applicant

  • had a valid residence permit throughout this period,
  • spent no more than 270 days outside Hungary territory during the 3 years, and
  • did not stay outside of Hungary for more than 4 consecutive months.

The Authority allows exceptions from these rules only for legitimate reasons, such as: medical treatment abroad, work-related posting abroad.

What does the national residence card entitle to?

  • The holder of the right of long-term residence is entitled to indefinite residence in Hungary, the status ends only by revocation.
  • In addition to the national residence card, a Hungarian identity card and a plastic address card will also be issued.
  • The right of long-term residence provides permanent address in Hungary.
  • The holder of the national residence card may also enjoy other entitlements, such as:
  • employment on equal terms with EEA nationals
  • entitlement to unemployment benefit if the conditions for application are met
  • participation in local government elections
  • possibility of bank loans
  • acquisition of residential real estate without prior permit
  • applying for family support allowances

How long is the national residence card valid for?

Long-term residence status is indefinite and ends only upon withdrawal. The national residence card document is valid for 10 years, renewable for 10 years at a time.

The national residence card may be withdrawn if:

  • the holder of the national residence card leaves Hungary for more than six months
  • there has been a change in the circumstances which renders the right of long-term residence no longer justified, such as the termination of family union.

Situation of family members

Long-term residence status must be applied for separately by each family member. If the family members of the holder of the long-term residence right do not have the right of long-term residence theselves, they will be able to continue to reside in Hungary with their residence permit, in accordance with the applicable rules.

If the holder of the long-term residence right has had a child born in Hungary, a national residence card will be issued to the child after the birth has been announced.

Application process

Applications for national residence cards can only be submitted online, via the EnterHungary website of the immigration office.

The decision making deadlineof  the application for a national residence card is 70 days, excluding the time taken to rectify deficiencies or certain procedural steps such as national security checks. Based on practical experience, the total evaluation period of the application is usually 4-6 months.

As long-term resident status provides the holder with a high level of residence rights, the assessment criteria are stricter than for residence permits, mainly as regards financial conditions.

From January 2025, a cultural knowledge exam will be a mandatory part of the application process for the national residence card, which must be completed in Hungarian in writing. Successful completion of the test is a condition for submitting an application for a national residence card.

Working with a national residence card

The holder of the national residence card may work under the same conditions as EEA nationals:

  • can start working without permit application
  • may be employed for an indefinite period
  • the details of the job can be adjusted freely, taking into account the obligations defined in the Labor Code

If you need help applying for a national residence card, please contact our office using the contact details on the website.

Official information about the application process and the necessary forms can be found on the website of the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing.

Information on the processing fees for licence applications can be found here.

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