Hungary

About

A residence permit can be granted to third-country nationals who intend to work for or under the supervision of others in an employment relationship and receive payment for their work. Alternatively, the permit can also be issued to those who serve as the owner or executive officer of a for-profit business association, cooperative society, or any other legal entity besides their responsibilities.

Employment under Others' Direction or Supervision: This category covers individuals whose purpose of residence in a country is to work for or under the direction and supervision of others in exchange for remuneration. This usually includes employees working in various sectors under an employment contract or agreement.
Owners or Executive Officers of Businesses: This category includes individuals who own or hold executive positions in for-profit business associations, cooperative societies, or other legal entities. These individuals may be granted a residence permit based on their role within the organisation and any work they perform in that capacity.

Why apply for a Hungary work visa?

Employment Opportunities: Hungary offers employment opportunities in various sectors such as IT, engineering, healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. Individuals may seek a work visa to take advantage of job openings in these fields.
High-Quality of Life: Hungary boasts a high quality of life with relatively low living costs compared to other European countries. Access to healthcare, education, cultural activities, and recreational facilities make it an attractive destination for many expatriates.
EU Membership: As a member of the European Union (EU), Hungary provides access to the EU's single market and allows for freedom of movement within the Schengen Area. This can benefit individuals looking to explore job opportunities beyond Hungary's borders.
Schengen Visa: Obtaining a work visa for Hungary may also grant individuals access to the Schengen Area, which comprises 26 European countries with no internal border controls. This facilitates travel for both professional and personal purposes within the Schengen Zone.
Career Advancement: Working in Hungary can provide opportunities for career advancement and professional development, particularly in industries where Hungary has a strong presence or expertise.
Cultural Experience: Living and working in Hungary allows individuals to immerse themselves in Hungarian culture, cuisine, language, and traditions, providing a rich and diverse experience.

Benefits of working in Hungary

Stable Economy: Hungary's economy is stable and growing, providing job security and stability for workers.
Cost of Living: The cost of living in Hungary is relatively lower compared to many Western European countries, allowing workers to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle with lower expenses.
EU Membership: Hungary is a member of the European Union (EU), which offers various benefits, such as access to the EU single market, free movement of labour within the EU, and opportunities for collaboration with other EU member states.
Central Location: Hungary's central location in Europe makes it a strategic hub for businesses and trade, offering opportunities for international networking and career growth.
Cultural Richness: Hungary has a rich cultural heritage, offering workers a diverse range of cultural experiences, festivals, and traditions to explore and enjoy.
Education and Healthcare: Hungary provides access to quality education and healthcare services, ensuring the well-being and development of workers and their families.
Work-Life Balance: Hungarian culture values work-life balance, with reasonable working hours and ample opportunities for leisure and recreation.
Opportunities for Growth: Hungary has emerging industries and sectors such as technology, finance, manufacturing, and tourism, providing ample opportunities for career growth and advancement.
Beautiful Environment: Hungary is known for its scenic landscapes, including historic cities, picturesque countryside, and thermal baths, offering workers a beautiful environment to live and work in.

Types of Hungary work visa

Short-Term Employment Visa: This visa is suitable for individuals who intend to work in Hungary for a short period, typically up to 90 days. It is often used for temporary work assignments, business meetings, or short-term projects.
Long-Term Employment Visa: Individuals planning to work in Hungary for more than 90 days must apply for a long-term employment visa. This visa allows for extended stays and is typically required for individuals with job offers or employment contracts in Hungary.
Highly Skilled Worker Visa: Hungary offers a particular visa category for highly skilled workers, the Highly Qualified Employment Visa. This visa is designed to attract professionals with specific skills and qualifications in IT, engineering, healthcare, and finance sectors.
Intra-Company Transfer Visa: This visa is for employees of multinational companies who are transferred to Hungary from another branch or subsidiary of the same company. It allows temporary residence in Hungary for employment within the same corporate group.
Entrepreneur Visa: Individuals wishing to start a business in Hungary can apply for an entrepreneur visa. This visa allows residents to establish and operate a business in Hungary.
Freelancer Visa: Freelancers and self-employed individuals who plan to work independently in Hungary can apply for a freelancer visa. This visa allows residents to pursue freelance or self-employed work in Hungary.
Student Work Visa: International students enrolled in a Hungarian educational institution may be eligible to work part-time during their studies. They can apply for a student work visa, which allows them to work a certain number of hours per week alongside their studies.

Eligibility for Hungary work visa

Job Offer or Employment Contract: Typically, you need a job offer from a Hungarian employer or a valid employment contract to apply for a work visa. The employer may need to provide documentation confirming the offer of employment.
Qualifications and Skills: Depending on the work you'll be doing, you may need to demonstrate that you possess the qualifications, skills, or experience required for the job. This could include educational degrees, professional certifications, or relevant work experience.
Valid Passport: You must have a valid passport with a validity that extends beyond the duration of your intended stay in Hungary.
Clean Criminal Record: You may be required to provide a police clearance certificate or similar documentation proving that you have no criminal record.
Health Insurance: You may need proof of health insurance coverage for your stay in Hungary. This could be either through private health insurance or coverage provided by your employer.
Financial Means: You may need to demonstrate that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay in Hungary, especially if you are applying for a visa without a job offer or plan to be self-employed.
Compliance with Immigration Laws: You must comply with all immigration laws and regulations of Hungary, including any specific requirements related to the type of visa you are applying for.
Application Fee and Form: You must pay the required visa application fee and complete the relevant application form accurately and completely.
Medical Examination: Depending on your country of origin and the length of your intended stay, you may undergo a medical examination to ensure you meet health requirements for entry into Hungary.

Hungary Work Visa Requirements

Valid Passport: You must have a valid passport with a validity period beyond your intended stay in Hungary. It's usually recommended that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date.
Job Offer or Employment Contract: You'll need to have a job offer from a Hungarian employer or a valid employment contract specifying the terms and conditions of your employment. This should include details such as your position, salary, duration of employment, and other relevant information.
Work Permit: In many cases, your employer in Hungary will need to obtain a work permit from the Hungarian Labor Office on your behalf before you can apply for a work visa. The work permit serves as official authorisation for you to work in Hungary.
Proof of Qualifications and Skills: You may need to provide evidence of your qualifications, skills, and experience relevant to the job you'll be doing in Hungary. This could include educational certificates, professional licenses, or letters of recommendation from previous employers.
Health Insurance: You'll typically need proof of health insurance coverage for your stay in Hungary. This can be either through private health insurance or coverage provided by your employer.
Financial Means: You may be required to demonstrate that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay in Hungary, especially if you're applying for a visa without a job offer or if you'll be self-employed.
Clean Criminal Record: You may need to provide a police clearance certificate or similar documentation confirming that you have no criminal record.
Visa Application Form: You must complete the appropriate visa application form for a Hungary work visa. This form can usually be downloaded from the website of the Hungarian embassy or consulate in your country.
Passport Photos: You'll typically need to provide recent passport-sized photos meeting specific requirements, such as size, background colour, and other specifications.
Application Fee: You'll need to pay the required visa application fee, which can vary depending on your nationality and the type of visa you're applying for.

How to apply for a Hungary work permit

Job Offer: First, secure a job offer from a Hungarian employer. Your employer must demonstrate to the Hungarian Labor Office that they cannot fill the position with a Hungarian or EU citizen, which is a prerequisite for obtaining a work permit for a non-EU citizen like yourself.
Work Permit Application by Employer: Your employer in Hungary should initiate the work permit application process on your behalf. They must submit various documents to the Hungarian Labor Office, including the job offer, evidence of efforts to recruit Hungarian or EU citizens, and other required paperwork.
Receive Work Permit Approval: Your employer will receive a work permit certificate once the Hungarian Labor Office approves the work permit application. This certificate authorises them to employ you in Hungary for the specified position and duration.
Apply for a Visa: With the work permit certificate, you can apply for a Hungary work visa at the Hungarian embassy or consulate in your home country. You must submit the visa application form and required documents such as your passport, passport photos, proof of health insurance, proof of financial means, and any other documents specified by the embassy or consulate.
Attend Visa Interview (if required): Depending on your nationality and the specific requirements of the Hungarian embassy or consulate, you may need to attend a visa interview as part of the application process.
Wait for Visa Processing: After submitting your visa application, you must wait for it to be processed. Processing times can vary, so applying well before your travel date is essential.
Receive Visa Approval: If your visa application is approved, the Hungarian embassy or consulate will affix the visa to your passport, allowing you to travel to Hungary for employment.
Enter Hungary and Register: Once you arrive in Hungary, you must register with the Hungarian authorities, including obtaining a residence permit if required. Your employer may be able to help you with this process.

Hungary work visa processing time

Embassy or Consulate Workload: The processing time may be affected by the number of visa applications received by the Hungarian embassy or consulate. During busy periods, such as peak travel seasons or when there's a high volume of visa applications, processing times may be longer.
Application Completeness: Submitting a complete and accurate visa application with all required documents can help expedite the processing time. Incomplete applications may be delayed as additional information or documents are requested.
Type of Visa: The processing time can also depend on the Hungary work visa you're applying for. Some visa categories may require additional processing or documentation, affecting the overall processing time.
Visa Interview (if required): If you're required to attend a visa interview as part of the application process, scheduling the interview and waiting for the outcome can add to the overall processing time.
Nationality: Processing times may vary based on your nationality and any specific requirements or procedures applicable to citizens of your country.

Hungary work visa cost

Visa Application Fee: The primary cost is the visa application fee, which is charged for processing your visa application. This fee varies depending on the type of visa you're applying for and can range from approximately 35 to 60 euros for most visa categories.
Residence Permit Fee: If you're applying for a long-term work visa to stay in Hungary for more than 90 days, you may also need to pay a residence permit fee. This fee typically ranges from approximately 40 to 160 euros, depending on the duration of your stay and your nationality.
Biometric Data Fee: Some countries require applicants to provide biometric data (such as fingerprints and a digital photograph) as part of the visa application process. If biometric data collection is needed, there may be an additional fee associated with this service.
Courier Fee: If you choose to have your passport and visa documents delivered by courier after processing, there may be an additional fee for this service.
Optional Services: Some embassies or consulates may offer optional services such as expedited processing or document translation services for an additional fee.