EU residence card

Table of Contents

What is the EU residence card?

The EU residence card is one of the long-term residence permits, corresponding to the previous EC permanent residence permit. This permit provides for the right of long-term residence, its holder is entitled to reside in Hungary indefinitely. The EU residence card is issued based on an EU directive.

Who can apply for an EU residence card?

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

  • the applicant has been legally residing in Hungary for at least 5 years without interruption
  • the applicant is in possession of an EU Blue card permit, and
    • has legally resided in Hungary with an EU Blue Card for 2 years without interruption prior to submitting the application and
    • has legally resided in the territory of EU Member States for 5 years without interruption prior to submitting the application, with an EU Blue Card, or research or study residence permit

You cannot apply for an EU residence card if your stay in Hungary is based on one of the reasons listed below:

  • higher education or vocational training
  • seasonal employment
  • volunteering
  • abstention on grounds of diplomatic or other personal immunity
  • Work with one of the guest worker permits
  • stay with guest self-employed permit

Non-EEA nationals holding a national residence card may also apply for an EU residence card if they fulfil the conditions for applying.

Calculation of five years of uninterrupted residence

A 5-year legal and uninterrupted residence in Hungary can be considered justified if:

  • the applicant has held a valid residence permit throughout that period,
  • has spent no more than 300 days outside Hungary territory during the 5 years, and
  • has not been outside Hungary territory for more than 6 months contiguously

Exception: EU Blue Card holders may leave the territory of EU Member States for less than 12 months at a time, but the combined duration of stays abroad cannot exceed 18 months during the 5 years.

Of the stay for the purposes of higher education or vocational training half of the time counts to the required period of previous stay to qualify for an EU residence card.

What does the EU 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 EU 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 EU residence card may also enjoy other entitlements, such as:
    • access to employment on equal terms with EEA nationals
    • entitlement to unemployment benefit if the conditions for application are met
    • the right to participate in local government elections
    • possibility of bank loans
    • acquisition of ownership of residential real estate without previous permit
    • use of family support schemes
    • obtaining a permit to reside or work in another EU Member State through a simplified procedure

How long is the EU residence card valid for?

Long-term residence status is indefinite and ends only upon withdrawal.

The validity of the EU residence card is 10 years, renewable for 10 years at a time.

The EU residence card may be revoked if:

  • the holder of the EU residence card has been leaving the territory of the Member States of the European Union for more than twelve months
  • acquires long-term residence status in another Member State of the European Union
  • the cardholder has not resided in Hungary for more than six years

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 themselves, 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 an EU residence card can only be submitted online, via the EnterHungary website of the immigration office.

The processing period for an EU residence card application 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 applying for a national residence card.

Working with an EU residence card

The holder of the EU 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

Mobility within the EU

An important aim of the relevant EU directive is to ensure a simple flow of expertise between Member States. The mobility rights granted by the EU residence card are based on this. An equivalent type of permit is available in other Member States. Since each Member State regulates the issue of permits independently, there may be differences between the countries in the name of the permit, the conditions of application and the rights attached.

Considering this, the Hungarian legislation also provides for facilitations for employees holding an EU residence card in another EU Member State. Non-EEA citizens who hold an EU residence card issued in another EU country can apply for a Temporary Residence Card and immediately obtain long-term residence status in Hungary. The application for a Temporary Residence Card does not require that the applicant has spent a certain period of time in Hungary before submitting the application, nor that he or she has a valid residence permit issued in Hungary. Temporary residence cards allow employment.

If you need help applying for an EU 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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