The long-term residence permit is the higher level of residence permits, as it requires several years of verifiable and legal residence in Hungary.
WHAT DOES THE long-term residence PERMIT PROVIDE?
The long-term residence permit provides more freedom than a temporary residence permit and entitles the permit holder to stay in Hungary for an indefinite period of time (with the exception of interim residence card). It is valid for a longer period of time than the temporary residence permit, and it already includes a residential address card and an identity card for foreigners. The settlement permit holder can freely work or start a business, no special permit is required.
There are several types of long-term residence permits in Hungary, the most common ones are presented in detail.
You can find information about the other types of long-term residence permits here.
WHO CAN APPLY?
A third-country national may apply,
- if the applicant has stayed in Hungary for at least 3 years without interruption,covered by a residence permit or a temporary settlement permit, or interim residence card, or
- is the spouse of a Hungarian citizen or a third-country citizen holding long-term residence status (with immigration permit, settlement permit, temporary settlement permit, national residence card, EU residence card, interim residence permit, national residence card, EU residence card), or a refugee, provided the marriage was concluded at least 2 years before the application; or
- if, immediately before the submission of the application, the dependent ancestor has been living in a family community with a Hungarian citizen, a person with long-term residence status, or a third-country citizen recognized as a refugee for at least one year, or
- was a Hungarian citizen,but his citizenship has ceased, or whose ancestor was a Hungarian citizen or a Hungarian citizen, or
- the minor child of a third-country citizen who has long-term residence status, or is recognized as a refugee
and
- the establishment is in line with Hungary’s interests, and the applicant does not endanger Hungary’s public security.
What is not an interruption?
It is not considered an interruption of stay in Hungary if the applicant has occasionally left the territory of Hungary for less than four months and the total duration of stays abroad in the three years preceding the submission of the application does not exceed 270 days.
GOOD TO KNOW: The National Residence Card is not granted automatically — the applicant must also justify why their long-term stay is in the interest of Hungary. nemzeti
GOOD TO KNOW: Foreign nationals holding any of the following residence permits are not eligible to apply for the National Residence Card under immigration law:
- residence permit for employment purposes
- residence permit for seasonal employment
- residence permit issued for employment based on investment
- guest worker residence permit
- guest self-employment residence permit
- residence permit for studies (including job seeking and business start-up)
- residence permit for training purposes
- temporary residence permit
- residence permit for medical treatment
- White Card
- residence permit for secondment
- residence permit for internship purposes
- residence permit for voluntary activities
Information about submitting an application:
The application must be submitted to the immigration police responsible for the place of future residence.
Information about submitting an application:
- general personal documents
- documents certifying education
- documents proving the existence of accommodation
- documents proving livelihood
- documents certifying the completeness of health care
- criminal record
- reasons and proofs supporting the interests of Hungary
- other documents and certificates
The deadline for assessment is 70 days from the date of submission of the application. The national residence card is valid for 5 years, but can be extended.
GOOD TO KNOW: The authority can revoke the national residence card, one of the common reasons for this is that if the long-term resident has left the territory of Hungary for more than 6 months without prior notification of the authority. If, for some justifiable reason, the long-term resident is forced to stay abroad for more than 6 months, this must be reported to the authorities. The settled person can then leave the country for a maximum period of 2 years, but only if the resident has stayed in Hungary for at least 180 days within the one-year period preceding the notification. During the validity of the permit, the immigration authority can randomly check the existence of the conditions at any time.
WHO CAN APPLY?
A third-country national may apply,
- has resided legally and without interruption in the territory of Hungary for at least five least five years immediately prior to submitting,
- or has an blue card and has resided legally and without interruption in the territory of Hungary for at least two years immediately before submitting the application and has resided legally and without interruption in the territory of the member states of the European Union for at least five years.
What is not an interruption?
- in the case of the 5-year examination, who has occasionally left Hungary for less than six months and the total duration of stays abroad does not exceed 300 days in five years
- Who has an EU Blue Card and has occasionally left the territory of the member states of the European Union for less than twelve months, and the total duration of the stays abroad does not exceed 18 months in five years.
GOOD TO KNOW: A third-country national staying in Hungary for the purpose of continuing higher studies or vocational training cannot apply for an EU residence card. There are several exceptions listed in the relevant legislation regarding who cannot apply for an EU residence card, but according to our experience, most people ask about this option. In the calculation of the years of the EU residence card, only half of the duration of legal stays during these studies can be counted.
Information about submitting an application:
The application must be submitted to the immigration police responsible for the place of future residence.
The deadline for assessment is 70 days from the date of submission of the application.
You must be able to prove the following when submitting your application:
- general personal documents
- documents certifying education
- documents proving the existence of accommodation
- documents proving livelihood
- documents certifying the completeness of health care
- other documents and certificates
The EU residence card is valid for 5 years, but can be extended.
GOOD TO KNOW: The immigration police revokes the EC permanent residence permit if the third-country national has left the territory of the member states of the European Union for more than 12 months or obtains long-term residence status in another member state, or the third-country national has not stayed in the territory of Hungary for more than six years. During the validity of the permit, they can randomly check the existence of the conditions at any time.
WHO CAN APPLY?
EEA citizens who have legally resided in Hungary for five years without interruption can apply for a permanent residence card.
There are certain exemptions in case of continuing fundraising activities, in which case it is not necessary to prove the 5 years, e.g. retirement, accident, etc.
You must be able to prove the following when submitting your application:
- personal documents, address card
- other documents and certificates
The permanent residence card issued to an EEA citizen is valid for an indefinite period.
As can be seen from the above, carefully prepared documents and certificates are necessary for a positive evaluation of the long-term residence permit application, the procedure is complicated.
WHAT CAN WE HELP YOU WITH?
- comprehensive advice during the administration process
- preparing, filling out, collecting and checking the documents required for submitting the application
- booking an appointment with the immigration police
- stay contact with the authority
- providing accompaniment and interpretation in Hungary, if required (in English, Russian, Ukrainian)
WHAT SERVICES CAN YOU ORDER?
- national residence card
- EU residence card
- permanent residence card
HOW MUCH DOES THE SERVICE COST?
Ask us for a quote now! Requesting an offer and preliminary consultation and needs assessment are free of charge. If you prefer to speak with our consultant, call us!