Permits for Employment Purposes

Starting from January 2024, the new immigration law introduced multiple categories that have replaced the previously unified residence permit for employment purposes. Below we list the most relevant types of permits that are commonly encountered. There are a few additional types of permits, but these are rarely requested or not available to all applicants, so they are not covered here. However, you can find a full overview of all permit types on this page: https://dramex.hu/services/arrangement-of-residence-and-settlement-permits/permits-of-third-country-nationals-for-the-purpose-of-work/?lang=en

Residence Permit for Employment Purpose

This permit may be granted to a guest worker who performs actual work for or under the direction of another person, based on an employment relationship and in return for compensation.

It may also be issued to a guest worker who is employed by a foreign employer to fulfil a contract with a Hungarian company, under an agreement concluded between the Hungarian employer and the foreign employer established in a third country.

The minister responsible for the employment of third-country nationals in Hungary may specify, by decree, which nationals of which third countries are eligible for this permit.

This residence permit entitles the holder to stay in Hungary for a fixed term of up to two years, which can be extended once by up to one additional year.

While this permit is valid and even after its expiry, no other type of residence permit can be applied for from within Hungary.

No additional third-country national may apply for a residence permit based on the stay of a guest worker holding this permit — in other words, no family reunification is allowed.

The guest worker holding this permit is not eligible for a national residence card (formerly: national settlement permit).

If the guest worker wants to establish a new employment relationship with another employer, or if there is any change in job position or work location, they must submit a new application to extend the residence permit.

The employer is obligated to ensure that, upon termination of employment, the guest worker leaves Hungary no later than the sixth day following the end of employment.

Hungarian Card

The Hungarian Card is a type of residence permit that allows its holder—who possesses higher-level professional qualifications—to reside in Hungary and work in positions that require such qualifications.

A higher-level professional qualification refers to a qualification proving tertiary education and professional training.

A Hungarian Card may be granted to third-country nationals whose purpose of stay is to perform actual work for or under the direction of another person, in return for compensation, based on an employment relationship; or to those who, as owners or senior executives of a business company, cooperative, or other legal entity established for income-generating purposes, carry out actual work beyond their business activities.

A Hungarian Card may only be granted to a third-country national if they hold one of the following degrees:

1. IT
2. Engineering
3. Natural Sciences
4. Teacher of Music or Teacher of Folk Music and Folk Culture
5. Performing Arts

or if the applicant is:

• a professional athlete or coach,
• a performing artist,
• or a third-country national employed by a film production company registered by the national film authority under the Motion Picture Act.

The Hungarian Card is valid for a maximum of three years and can be extended by up to three years at a time.

Based on the Hungarian Card holder’s status, additional third-country nationals may apply for a residence permit for the purpose of family reunification.

Holders of a Hungarian Card are also eligible to apply for a national residence card (formerly: national settlement permit).

EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card can be requested by a third-country national who holds the higher-level professional qualifications required for the job position, or who possesses the level of high professional competence defined by law for a set period, and whose employment is supported under domestic employment policy considerations and legal criteria. This card entitles the holder to work in a position requiring high qualifications, under the conditions defined by law.

A third-country national who holds a valid residence permit for the purpose of job search or starting a business in Hungary may also apply for an EU Blue Card during the validity of that permit.

Furthermore, a third-country national who has already been issued a residence permit by another EU member state for highly qualified employment and has lawfully resided there for at least twelve months—or for six months in a second member state—may also apply for an EU Blue Card in Hungary, provided they meet the necessary conditions.

In 2025, the minimum monthly salary required for the EU Blue Card is HUF 883,671.

Exceptions apply to the following professions, where the minimum monthly salary is HUF 706,937:

• general physician (FEOR: 2211)

• pharmacist, specialist pharmacist (FEOR: 2214)
• optometrist (FEOR: 2222)
• dietitian and nutritionist (FEOR: 2223)
• physiotherapist (FEOR: 2224)
• health visitor (FEOR: 2225)
• paramedic (FEOR: 2226)
• nurse (requiring tertiary qualification) (FEOR: 2231)
• midwife (requiring tertiary qualification) (FEOR: 2232)

Within the first year after issuance, the EU Blue Card only entitles the holder to perform highly qualified work either in the employment relationship that served as the basis for its issuance or in another employment relationship permitted under domestic employment policy considerations.

Based on the residence of the third-country national holding an EU Blue Card, additional third-country nationals may apply for a residence permit for family reunification purposes.

Holders of an EU Blue Card may also apply for a national residence card (formerly: national settlement permit).

National Card

Nationals of the following countries may apply for a National Card if their purpose of stay is to perform actual work for or under the direction of another person, in return for compensation, including employment through temporary agency work:

Bosnia and Herzegovina; North Macedonia; Belarus; Moldova; Montenegro; Russia; Serbia; Ukraine

The National Card is valid for a maximum of two years and may be extended by up to three years at a time.

Based on the residence of a third-country national holding a National Card, additional third-country nationals may apply for a residence permit for family reunification purposes.

A third-country national holding a National Card may apply for a national residence card (formerly: national settlement permit).

Information about submitting an application

If the applicant is a visa-required national, they must apply for a D visa and the appropriate employment-related residence permit at the Hungarian consulate in the country of their residence. If the application is approved, the applicant will first receive a D visa valid for 30 days from entry, during which time they must collect their residence card from the competent immigration authority in Hungary. Only after receiving the card can the foreign national be registered for employment. The visa itself is valid for 3 months, within which time the applicant must enter Hungary.

If the third-country national is not subject to visa requirements, they only need to apply for the appropriate employment-related residence permit at the immigration office based on their place of accommodation in Hungary. After receiving a positive decision and collecting the residence card, the foreign worker can be officially registered.

For residence permits such as the Employment Purpose, Hungarian Card, and EU Blue Card, approval from the employment department of the relevant government office based on the work location is also required. The employer must submit a labor demand request.
Therefore, it is not possible to apply for these permits without a valid job offer.

A registered address is required. Workers will receive a residence notification form, which must not be confused with the address card.

The name of the employer will be indicated on the back of the residence card, which means the worker can only be employed by that company.
If the worker changes jobs, a request for extension must be submitted. They cannot be registered to work for another company using an existing permit.