Hungary digital nomad visa: Complete guide 2026

Budapest has been quietly building a reputation as one of Europe's most liveable cities for remote workers. The thermal baths, the ruin bars, the grand architecture, the exceptional internet infrastructure, and a cost of living that sits well below most Western European capitals — it all adds up to a compelling case. And since November 2021, there has been a legal framework to match: the Hungarian Digital Nomad Visa, officially known as the White Card (Fehér Kártya).

This guide covers everything you need to know: who qualifies, what documents you need, and every other step of the application process.

Who Can Apply: Eligibility Requirements

The White Card is designed for non-EU/EEA third-country nationals who work remotely for employers or businesses based outside Hungary. If that describes you, read on. If you are an EU/EEA citizen, skip to the note at the end of this section.

Work Requirements

You must fall into one of two categories:

• Employed remotely: You have a verified employment contract with a company based outside Hungary and perform your work from Hungary using digital technology.

• Business owner: You own shares in a company that generates verified profits outside Hungary and manage your work or the company from Hungary using digital technology.

  
  

In both cases, your income must originate entirely from outside Hungary. The White Card explicitly prohibits working for Hungarian employers, taking on Hungarian clients, or acquiring shares in a Hungarian company. If you do any of these things while holding a White Card, it will be revoked.

Income Requirements

You must demonstrate a minimum net monthly income of €3,000 for at least the six months prior to your application, and you must maintain this income level throughout your stay. This figure increased from €2,000 to €3,000 in 2024.

In addition, you must show a bank balance of at least €10,000 in savings.

Who Is Not Eligible

Among non-EU/EEA nationals, the White Card will not be granted to anyone who:

• Qualifies for another type of Hungarian residence permit — such as for employment, investment, or guest self-employment. If you are eligible for one of these, you are expected to apply for that instead

• Currently holds an EC long-term residence permit (granted to non-EU nationals who have lived legally in an EU member state for at least five consecutive years) or an EU residence card

• Currently holds a student residence permit or is on a short-term supervised traineeship

• Has applied for or been granted refugee status, temporary or subsidiary protection in Hungary

• Is in Hungary as part of an intra-corporate transfer

• Has been admitted to the EU as a highly qualified worker

• Has a tolerated status or whose expulsion has been suspended

Importantly, while your White Card is valid, you cannot apply for any other type of Hungarian residence permit. And after it expires, the same restriction applies — you must leave Hungary before applying for any other residence status.

A Note for EU/EEA Citizens

If you hold a passport from an EU member state or from Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Norway, the White Card does not apply to you, and you do not need it. EU freedom of movement already gives you the right to live and work in Hungary without any visa or residence permit.

Documents You'll Need to Prepare

Passport and Photograph

Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of expiry of your residence permit. Since the permit is issued for one year, in practice, your passport should have at least 15 months of validity remaining at the time of application. You will also need to attach one recent biometric-style facial photograph (35x45mm) to your application.

Application Form and Appendix 9.18

You must complete the official Hungarian residence permit application form along with its Appendix 9.18, which is the specific supplement for White Card applicants. Both forms must be filled in accurately — either by hand or on a computer — and signed. They are available to download from the official National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (NDGAP) website.

Proof of Remote Work

Your documentation here depends on your situation:

• Employees: A certified statement from your employer confirming the scope of the company's activities, the provision for remote work and its authorized duration, and your position and duties. The real and actual operation of the employer must also be confirmed.

• Business owners: Documents confirming the real and actual operation of your company, your job title and ownership stake, the scope of activities, and the company's registration with public authorities or tax certificates proving regular income or profit.

  
  

In all cases, documents must make clear that your income does not come from Hungarian sources.

Proof of Income and Savings

Bank statements from the previous six months showing a consistent net monthly income of at least €3,000. A certificate of regular income from your employer or tax authority may be submitted alongside or instead of bank statements. You must also provide evidence of a savings balance of at least €10,000.

Proof of Accommodation

You must have a confirmed address in Hungary for the duration of your stay. Acceptable documents include a residential lease contract (which must cover at least 12 months), a document of accommodation provision, proof of property ownership, or a confirmed reservation with evidence of payment.

Health Insurance

You must provide documentary evidence of comprehensive health insurance covering all healthcare services during your stay in Hungary. The official Hungarian government does not specify a minimum coverage amount in euros — consult your consulate for the specific requirements they apply, and ensure the policy is valid in Hungary for the full duration of your permit.

Proof of Means of Exit

A valid passport, a return or onward ticket, or evidence that you have sufficient funds to purchase a ticket to leave Hungary. This is a formal requirement under Hungarian immigration law.

Document Translations

All documents not already in English or Hungarian must be translated into one of these two languages by a certified translator. Notarized translations may be required by your consulate.

Step-by-Step Application Process

How you apply depends on whether you need a visa to enter Hungary. Hungary is a Schengen member, and nationals of many countries can travel to Hungary visa-free for short stays. If your passport allows visa-free Schengen travel, you have more flexibility in how you apply.

Route A: Applying at a Hungarian Consulate or Embassy

If your nationality requires a visa to enter Hungary or the Schengen Area, you must apply at the nearest Hungarian consulate or embassy in your country of residence. This is the only route available to you.

Step 1: Download and complete your forms

Download the official residence permit application form and Appendix 9.18 from the NDGAP website. Fill them in carefully and sign both. Gather all required documents and ensure that any documents not in English or Hungarian are translated by a certified translator.

Step 2: Schedule an appointment

Contact the Hungarian consulate or embassy in your country to book an appointment. If there is no Hungarian consulate in your country, you may be able to submit through honorary consuls, trade representations, or external service providers authorized to receive applications.

Step 3: Attend your appointment and submit your documents

Bring originals and copies of all required documents to your appointment. Biometric data — a facial photograph and fingerprints — will be recorded at this stage. Be prepared for a brief interview about your remote work situation and your plans in Hungary.

Pay the application fee at this stage. The fee for applications submitted at a consulate or diplomatic mission is €110 (payable in euros or another convertible currency).

Step 4: Wait for the decision

The authority processes your application within 21 working days of receiving a complete application, with a final decision issued within 30 days. If additional documents are needed, you will be contacted, and the time taken to respond is not counted within the 21-day processing window, so respond promptly.

Step 5: Receive your entry visa and travel to Hungary

If approved, the consulate will issue you a single-entry Type D visa, valid for a stay of up to 30 days and valid for 3 months from the date of approval. This visa allows you to travel to Hungary to collect your White Card residence permit. You must enter Hungary within this 3-month window — if you do not, your permit approval becomes invalid, and you will need to reapply from scratch.

Route B: Applying Online or In Person in Hungary (For Visa-Free Nationals)

If your passport allows visa-free entry into Hungary or the Schengen Area, you have two options: apply online from home via the Enter Hungary platform, or travel to Hungary and apply in person at the regional NDGAP office.

Step 1: Prepare your documents

Gather all required documents as described above and ensure any non-English, non-Hungarian documents are translated.

Step 2: Submit your application via Enter Hungary or in person

For the online route, submit your application through the Enter Hungary platform. Your application is considered received only after the administrative service fee has been paid and your facial photograph, fingerprints, and signature are recorded — all within 15 days of submission. For the in-person route, attend the regional NDGAP office in person with all documents.

The fee is HUF 24,000 (approximately €60) for online applications via Enter Hungary, or HUF 39,000 (approximately €100) for in-person applications at the NDGAP office.

Step 3: Wait for the decision

Processing takes 21 working days, with a final decision issued within 30 days from submission. As with the consulate route, time taken to respond to requests for additional documents does not count toward this window.

Once You're Approved

Whether you applied at a consulate or from within Hungary, your White Card residence permit will be mailed to the address you provided in your application. In-person collection at an NDGAP regional office is only possible if you can demonstrate that postal delivery to your address is not possible.

Your White Card is valid for one year from the date of approval. It entitles you to live in Hungary legally, travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and open bank accounts in Hungary.

If you wish to renew, you must submit a renewal application via the Enter Hungary platform — renewals cannot be submitted in person. The application must be submitted no more than 90 days before your current permit expires. To be eligible for renewal, you must have resided in Hungary for at least 90 days within any 180-day period prior to your renewal application. The permit can only be renewed once, giving a maximum stay of two years under the White Card program.

After two years, you must leave Hungary. The White Card does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship, and no other Hungarian residence permit can be applied for while your White Card is valid or immediately after it expires.

Costs and Fees to Expect

Application Fee

• Consulate/embassy application: €110

• In-person application at NDGAP in Hungary: approximately €100 (HUF 39,000)

• Online application via Enter Hungary: approximately €60 (HUF 24,000)

Renewal Fee

The White Card renewal fee is approximately €60 (HUF 23,000), payable when submitting your renewal via Enter Hungary.

Health Insurance

Comprehensive health insurance covering all healthcare services in Hungary is mandatory. Costs vary by age, provider, and coverage level. Basic plans can start around €15–€50 per month; more comprehensive international plans may cost considerably more.

Document Preparation Expenses

Factor in the following potential costs:

• Certified translations into English or Hungarian: €5–€20 per page

• Notarization fees: €10–€30 per document

• Passport photos: €10–€20

• Courier or mailing fees: €20–€50

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the Hungary White Card?

Non-EU/EEA third-country nationals who work remotely for a company based outside Hungary, or who own and manage a business generating verified profits outside Hungary.

What is the income requirement?

You must demonstrate a net monthly income of at least €3,000 for the six months prior to your application, and maintain this income throughout your stay. You must also show a savings balance of at least €10,000 in your bank account.

How long does the application process take?

The authority must process your application within 21 working days of receiving a complete file, with a final decision issued within 30 days of submission. Total time from starting to gather documents to receiving your permit is typically two to three months, including document preparation, consulate appointment availability, and postal delivery.

What happens once I'm approved?

If you applied at a consulate, you will receive a single-entry Type D visa. This visa allows you to stay in Hungary for up to 30 days — just long enough to arrive and collect your White Card residence permit. You must use it within 3 months of your approval date, after which it becomes invalid regardless of whether you have entered Hungary or not. You must enter Hungary within that 3-month window, after which your White Card permit will be mailed to your Hungarian address. If you applied from within Hungary, your permit is mailed directly. In both cases, your White Card is valid for one year.

Can I renew my White Card?

Yes, once, for one additional year, giving a maximum of two years in Hungary under this program. Renewals are submitted online via Enter Hungary no more than 90 days before your current permit expires. You must have spent at least 90 days in Hungary within any 180-day period prior to your renewal application to be eligible.

Can I bring my family?

No. Hungarian law explicitly prohibits granting family reunification permits to family members of White Card holders. The one exception is if a child is born in Hungary during the validity of your permit — in that case, the child may receive a residence permit. Dependents who wish to join you must each apply for and qualify for their own White Card independently.

Will I pay taxes in Hungary?

If you spend fewer than 183 days per year in Hungary, you are generally exempt from Hungarian income tax on your remote work income, and tax residency remains in your home country. If you exceed 183 days, you become a Hungarian tax resident and are subject to a flat 15% personal income tax on your global income. Tax obligations in both Hungary and your home country can be complex — consult a qualified tax professional before committing to a long stay.

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