Updated on November 14, 2024

Hungary White Card

Residence permit for remote workers to live in the EU and travel across the Schengen Area

€3,000+

Monthly income

6+ months

Obtaining period

1 year

RP validity

The White Card is the equivalent of a Digital Nomad Visa in Hungary. It grants employees and managers of foreign companies the right to obtain residency in Hungary for up to 2 years.

Applicants for digital nomad residency confirm a monthly income of at least €3,000.

A foreigner provides an employment contract with a company outside the EU and purchases or rents property in Hungary.

The White Card is issued for 1 year. It can be extended once for the same period. After two years, a foreigner is entitled to submit a new application for a residence permit.

The applicant’s relatives do not get residence permits. They can submit separate applications on different grounds.

The Hungary Digital Nomad Visa does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship.

5 benefits of a Hungary White Card

  • 1

    Moving to the European Union

    Holding White Cards, foreigners can move to one of the safest and most affordable EU countries. In Hungary, rental, utilities, and medical services are twice cheaper than in Portugal or Germany.

  • 2

    Visa-free travel to Schengen countries

    Residents of Hungary can freely enter the territory of the other Schengen countries and stay there for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

  • 3

    Access to banking services

    Hungarian residents are allowed to open accounts and deposits and take out loans in European and international banks.

  • 4

    Tax optimisation

    Digital nomads do not pay income tax if they reside in Hungary for less than 183 days per year.

  • 5

    Quality healthcare

    Citizens of other European countries come to Hungary for dental prosthetics, plastic surgeries, and medical examinations at low prices. Healthcare quality matches that of Germany or Israel.

price

Practical guide on the Hungary White Card

  • Step-by-step procedure

  • Requirements for applicants

  • Required documents

  • Answers to frequently asked questions

Who can get Hungary residence for digital nomads

  • Main applicant

    • Over 18

    • Non-EU and non-EEA citizen

    • No criminal records

    • Monthly income of €3,000+

    • Bought or rented housing in Hungary

    • Employed by a company outside the EU

    • CEO or founder of a company or is registered as a sole proprietor if engaged in professional activities independently

Hungary White Card cost and fees

The applicant for a residence permit confirms a monthly income of at least €3,000 from sources outside the European Union and savings in a non-sanctioned bank.

Digital nomads also purchase or rent a property for the duration of the residence permit. The living area must be at least 6 m² per person.

Expenses

Amount

Monthly income

€3,000+

Application fee

€110

Document translation

€50+

Housing rental

€500+ per month

Rental deposit

€500+ as one monthly payment

Health insurance

€15+ per month

Individual cost calculation for the Hungary White Card

Individual cost calculation for the Hungary White Card

Get an individual calculation for your family with all associated costs and government fees.

We will send the cost calculation to your email within 1 hour

Required documents to obtain Hungarian Nomad Residence

Foreigners provide the following documents:

  1. Residence permit application. It can be filled out by hand or online.

  2. Passport with a validity period of at least 1 year.

  3. Two photos sized 3,5 × 4.5 cm.

  4. Employment contract with the employer or documents confirming ownership of a foreign business.

  5. Certificate of registration of the employing company, information from the tax authorities, or other documents confirming the company’s activities.

  6. Rental agreement for a minimum period of 12 months or a purchase agreement.

  7. Bank statement from a non-sanctioned bank with a balance of at least €10,000.

  8. Health insurance with a minimum coverage amount of €30,000.

  9. Founding documents for the company: extracts from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities and Individual Entrepreneurs, if applicable. Extracts must be apostilled.

  10. Confirmation of the ability to work remotely: for managers and sole proprietors.

  11. Income declaration: for managers and sole proprietors.

Process of obtaining a Hungary Digital Nomad Visa

The process of obtaining a residence permit in Hungary takes about 6 months. The exact duration depends on the migration service’s workload.

The grounds also influence the process. For example, a company manager may need more time to request an extract from the Unified State Register of Individual Entrepreneurs and other documents.

1

1 day

Preliminary Due Diligence

Immigrant Invest conducts a preliminary check of a digital nomad before concluding a Services Agreement.

A certified Anti-Money Laundering Officer checks information on the applicant in international legal and business databases. The check helps identify potential issues that may affect obtaining a residence permit in Hungary and reduce the risk of refusal.

The Preliminary Due Diligence takes one working day and is completely confidential.

Pass a quick test and learn the nuances that can prevent you from obtaining a residence permit.

Evaluate chances
2

Up to 1 month

Document preparation

Immigrant Invest lawyers provide a list of required documents, assist in filling out government forms, and submit the application for the White Card.

3

Up to 1 month

Submitting documents for a residence permit

The lawyers schedule an appointment for the applicant at the Consulate of Hungary in their country of citizenship or legal residency. The digital nomad submits documents and provides biometric data at the appointed time.

4

Up to 1 month

Obtaining a D visa

The D visa allows staying in Hungary for up to 30 days and is valid for three months. Within this period, one must enter the country and submit documents for the residence permit.

5

Up to 6 months

Obtaining a White Card

Upon arrival in Hungary, the applicant personally visits the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing and collects the resident card.

6

After 1 year

Extension of residence permit for digital nomads

A digital nomad is entitled to extend their status for another year if they have been in the country for at least 90 days within 180 days.

One can turn to Immigrant Invest lawyers. They will assist in extending the card and preparing the necessary documents.

How to obtain permanent residency and citizenship in Hungary after Nomad Residence

The Hungary Digital Nomad Visa does not allow foreigners to apply for permanent residency or citizenship after the status expires.

Permanent residency is granted to those who have lived in Hungary for 3 years with a residence permit obtained on other grounds, such as investment, employment, or family reunification. To qualify, the resident has to spend at least 183 days in the country.

To apply for citizenship, a resident must live in Hungary for at least 8 years as a permanent resident. To qualify, they should not leave the country more than 45 days a year during their residency. They also need to pass a test on the Hungarian language and history.

Both permanent residency and citizenship are available to residents with the Hungary Golden Visa.

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Frequently asked questions

  • What is the Hungary Digital Nomad Visa program?

    The White Card is a Hungary residence for digital nomads. The status is granted to owners of foreign businesses or remote employees of companies located outside the European Union. To qualify, applicants buy or rent residential property in Hungary and confirm a monthly income of at least €3,000.

  • What is the minimum salary for a digital nomad visa in Hungary?

    To obtain a residence permit in Hungary, a digital nomad needs to confirm a monthly income of €3,000+. This can be achieved by providing a bank statement for the last 6 months along with an employment contract detailing the salary.

  • What are the benefits of the Hungary Digital Nomad Visa?

    With the White Card, a digital nomad is entitled to travel to Schengen countries visa-free, live in Hungary, and open bank accounts there. It is practically impossible to use the services of European banks without residency status.

  • How to obtain permanent residence and citizenship in Hungary after the Nomad Residence?

    The White Card does not grant the right to obtain permanent status and citizenship in Hungary.

    Permanent residency will be granted to those who have lived in Hungary for 3 years with a residence permit obtained on other grounds, such as employment or family reunification.

  • Does Hungary issue a Digital Nomad Visa?

    Yes. The White Card is the equivalent of the Digital Nomad Visa in Hungary. It is obtained by digital nomads with an income of €3,000, who work in companies outside the European Union, or who lead a company as a CEO or founder.

  • Who are considered digital nomads?

    Digital nomads are professionals who work remotely, are not tied to one place of residence, and travel to different countries and cities.

    Common occupations among digital nomads include developers, designers, marketers, bloggers, photographers, editors, and financial consultants.

  • Which countries can I visit with a Digital Nomad Visa in Hungary?

    With a Hungary residence for digital nomads, one can visit the Schengen countries without a visa and stay there for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

  • What is the White Visa?

    The White Card is the equivalent of the Digital Nomad Visa in Hungary. The country issues residence permits to digital nomads who earn at least €3,000 per month remotely.

  • Can I work remotely in Hungary?

    The White Card allows digital nomads to work remotely for foreign companies. However, they cannot work for Hungarian companies.

  • Is a Hungary White Card easy to get?

    The requirement for monthly applicant’s income in Hungary is lower than for Digital Nomad Programs in Portugal or Malta. The other requirements are quite standard. Digital nomads demonstrate savings of €10,000 and rent or buy property in Hungary.

  • How to get a White Card in Hungary?

    To acquire the status, a foreigner provides an employment contract with a company outside the European Union, as well as purchases or rents property in Hungary. They also demonstrate savings of €10,000 or more and a minimum monthly income of €3,000.

    The visa application can be submitted online on the Enter Hungary platform.

  • Do digital nomads pay tax in Hungary?

    No, digital nomads are exempt from income tax if they reside in Hungary for less than 183 days per year.

  • How much income tax do you pay in Hungary with the White Card?

    With the Hungarian White Card, digital nomads generally do not pay income tax if they reside in the country for less than 183 days per year.

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Zlata Erlach

Head of the Austrian office

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