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What is the Interim Residence Card?
The Interim Residence Card is a type of long-term residence permit, corresponding to the former temporary settlement permit. It is a document that grants long-term residence and related rights in Hungary based on an EU long-term residence permit issued by another EU Member State.
Who can apply for an Interim Residence Card?
Interim Residence Cards may be applied for by non-EEA nationals who:
- hold an EU long-term residence permit issued by another EU Member State, and
- can justify their purpose of stay in Hungary (e.g. employment, business activity, studies, or another verified reason).
What rights does the Interim Residence Card grant?
The Interim Residence Card entitles the holder to reside and also work in Hungary for the duration of its validity (further details below).
By obtaining an Interim Residence Card, its holder establishes a permanent residental address in Hungary (receives a plastic address card) and thereby becomes a person with domestic legal status.
Persons with permanent residence in Hungary enjoy a range of entitlements, such as:
- Access to social security benefits (including full healthcare coverage*, social and family support allowances)
- Eligibility for unemployment benefits
- The right to vote in local municipal and European Parliament elections
- The ability to acquire residential property without special permission
- Easier access to bank loans
- Access to free higher education (under the same terms as Hungarian citizens)
* A person who has had a permanent residence in Hungary for at least one year is not only entitled to public healthcare services, but is also obliged to pay health insurance contributions, unless they are insured under another legal title (e.g. employment, student status, maternity leave, or health insurance coverage in another EEA member state).
How long is the Interim Residence Card valid?
The Interim Residence Card grants the right to reside in Hungary for a fixed period. It is valid for up to five years and may be extended for additional periods of up to five years at a time.
The validity period is determined based on the duration for which the purpose of stay can be duly justified.
The validity of the applicant’s passport does not affect the validity of the Interim Residence Card.
Situation of family members
Family members may also apply for an Interim Residence Card in Hungary, provided that at least one of the following conditions is met:
- The family member also holds an EU long-term residence permit issued by the same EU Member State as the sponsor, or
- It can be credibly demonstrated that the family relationship already existed in the EU Member State that issued the sponsor’s long-term residence permit.
The family member’s residence document will be issued with the same validity period as that of the sponsor.
If a child is born in Hungary to the holder of an Interim Residence Card, an Interim Residence Card will be issued for the child after the birth is officially registered.
Application process
Applications for an Interim Residence Card can only be submitted online, via the EnterHungary website of the immigration office.
The application for an Interim Residence Card must be submitted after entering Hungary with a valid EU long-term residence permit issued by another Member State, and no later than the last day of the applicant’s lawful short-term stay in Hungary.
If the applicant already holds a valid residence permit in Hungary, it is possible to switch to an Interim Residence Card during its validity period.
The authority assesses the application within 21 days.
Employment with an Interim Residence Card
Third-country nationals holding an Interim Residence Card are entitled to work in Hungary without a separate work permit, under the same conditions as EEA citizens.
However, the employer is required to report the permit-free employment of such individuals to the competent labour authority, in addition to fulfilling general reporting obligations.
If you require assistance with the application process, feel free to contact our office using the contact details available on our website.
Official information about the application process and the necessary forms are available on the website of the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing, here: Interim Residence Card
Information on the processing fees for licence applications can be found here.
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