Doing business in Hungary: Immigration Application

Visa Types

Residence permit for paid activity

Documents required:

A work permit
An employment contract
A document certifying occupancy in Hungary
A certificate indicating how the applicant will make a living until he or she receives the work permit (bank account statement, employer’s certificate etc.)

Articles of Association
Resolution on the court registration of the enterprise
A document certifying the occupancy in Hungary
A certificate on the acquisition of the qualifications necessary to fill the vacancy
Declaration of expected yearly income (certificate)
A certificate of the amount of money at the person’s disposal in Hungary
Simplified balance sheet of the prior year
A certificate declaring that the firm does not have public debt
If the firm has Hungarian employees: their employment contract
In case of a new enterprise: a brief business plan

Fee for residence permit: EUR 60

Time taken to process the application: 30 days

Seasonal employment visa

Seasonal work can be undertaken for agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, and fishing in possession of a work permit and a seasonal work visa. This visa entitles the holder to a single or multiple entry. It facilitates the applicant to be employed for longer than 3 months and less than 6 months. The validity of the visa is limited to 1 year. The permit has to define the exact time and work place. In case of multiple employments, the seasonal employment permit must define the detailed information of every employment.

A seasonal work visa maybe issued to a third country citizen who:

Has a valid travel document
Has a permit enabling return or outward travel
Certifies the purpose of entry and stay
Has financial means to cover the cost of the stay
Has health insurance for the period of stay

Documents required:

Documents evidencing the purpose of stay

Work permit
Temporary employment booklet
A document certifying a legal relationship for employment

Documents supporting the financial conditions necessary for living in Hungary

A bank certificate guaranteeing financial means
Income tax certificate issued by the tax authority with respect to the previous year
A certificate of income issued by the employer
A certificate issued by the employer and/or tax authority with respect to regular income from abroad
A declaration made before a notary public by a family member having a residence permit, a permanent residence card or the legal status of an immigrant or settled person giving assurance to maintain and support the applicant

Documents evidencing the existence of Hungarian accommodation

A rental agreement certifying a rental relationship
A document on the use of the flat by courtesy
A document evidencing the availability of a reserved and paid accommodation
A valid letter of invitation supplied with the authority’s consent
A contract of sale and purchase of real estate and a copy of the decision of the competent county government office granting permission for the acquisition of the real estate.

Documents supporting an all-inclusive health insurance

Documents evidencing the conditions of exit

A valid passport and/or the permits required for entry into the country indicated
A valid return air ticket

Visa fee: EUR 40

Time taken to process the application: 15 days

Residence permit for the purpose of employment or other gainful activities

Entitled persons:

Perform work for a compensation based on a legally defined employment relationship
Perform work individually for a compensation
Perform business activities as the owner, leading office holder or member of a managing, representative or supervisory body of a business association, co-operative created for the profit purposes

Foreigners need to have a work permit to work in Hungary.

Single permit: A residence permit which authorizes a third country national to establish an employment relationship with a Hungarian employer.

Single application procedure: Authorizes the third country national to stay in Hungary for more than 90 days and less than 180 days based on employment relationship with a Hungarian employer on the basis of an application submitted by a third country national.

Documents required:

Photo and fingerprints (biometric information)

Documents supporting legal employment:

Temporary work booklet
Business plan for business activity
Individual business card/registration number
Agriculture permit (for primary producers)
Agency/business/user contract signed by a private individual
A deed for a business association, co-operative, or any other legal person created for the purpose of making profits has legally employed atleast 3 Hungarian citizens or persons having rights for free movement and residence for atleast 6 months on a continuous basis
Foreign applicant’s stay in Hungary is indispensable for the business association and it’s based on the attached business plan

Documents supporting the financial conditions necessary to live in Hungary:

A bank certificate issued by a Hungarian or foreign bank
A certificate of income issued by the employer
A certificate issued by the employer and/or the tax authority with respect to regular income from abroad

Documents supporting the existence of Hungarian accommodation:

A rental agreement
A document approving the use of the flat by courtesy
A document evidencing the availability of a reserved and paid place of accommodation
Certificate proving the place in a dormitory
A document evidencing the ownership of a flat
A contract of sale and purchase of a real estate and state approval for acquiring the real estate

Documents supporting the existence of an all inclusive health insurance:

Must provide evidence of full health coverage

Documents supporting the existence of provisions to leave the country:

A return air ticket
A valid passport or necessary permit allowing the third country national to return to his/her country of origin

Visa extension:

Visa extension is allowed provided that at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the visa the applicant submits the required documentation to the respective regional directorate of the Office of Immigration and Nationality. Moreover, the passport must be valid for at least 3 months at the time of visa extension.

Please check Single application procedure for the respective process to apply for the visa.

Validity: A residence permit for employment is issued for a 3 year period and can be extended up to 3 years occasionally. In case if the permit is issued for a maximum of 2 years, then it can be extended for a maximum of 2 years occasionally.

Visa fee: EUR 60

Time taken to process the visa: 21 days

Single application procedure

Enables a third country national to stay in Hungary for a period exceeding 90 days and enables the applicant to establish a legal employment relationship with a specific employer.

Eligibility for single application procedure:

Third country nationals submitting an application for residence permit for gainful activities with the aim of a legal employment relationship
Third country nationals who intend to establish a legal employment relationship and submits a residence permit application for family reunification or submits an application for EU Blue card
Third country nationals who intend to establish a legal employment relationship and possesses a residence permit application for family reunification or posseses an application for EU Blue card
Special cases

From an employment/business perspective, the single application procedure is NOT applicable to the following personnel.

Those who stay in Hungary with a seasonal work visa
Third country nationals who are transferred as intra-corporate employees and who already stay or intend to stay in the territory of Hungary
Personnel whose purpose of residency is to perform independent gainful activities (private entrepreneurs, small scale agriculture producers etc.)
Third country nationals who are eligible to carry out gainful activities during their stay in a period between 90 days and 180 days.

Applicant is required to submit the application in person. Moreover, a valid travel document/passport along with the submission of biometric information such as fingerprints and a photo is required.

Documents verifying the establishment of an employment relationship:

Valid employment contract
Certified copies of educational qualifications
In the case of EU Blue card, certified copies of the proof of higher professional qualification

Employment agreement should include:

Scope of duties
Specification of professional qualifications required to perform duties
Amount of remuneration payable to third country nationals
Determination of the employment relationship
Expected duration of the employment relationship

If the residence permit is issued as a single permit such permits are valid upto two years and can be extended for a maximum of two years, occasionally.

EU Blue card

EU Blue card is issued to a third country national who has been issued a residence permit for work that requires advanced skills (high skilled workers) by an European Union (EU) member country. The applicant must be able to prove at least 18 months of lawful stay in an EU member state and meets the following conditions.

Possess a valid travel document
Certify the purpose of entry/exit
Meet legal employment conditions
Possess a full coverage on health insurance
Report a valid address for the Hungarian accommodation

A third country national is not a Hungarian citizen nor stateless persons except for persons with the right for free movement and residence (EEA nationals and accompanying family members of EEA citizens and Hungarian citizens).

Application procedure:

Submit a valid passport
Submit biometric data (fingerprints, photograph)
The application for the EU Blue card must be submitted to the Consular Officer or at other authorized locations
A statement certifying that the applicant will leave the EU territory voluntarily if the application is rejected
Follow the single application procedure to obtain the EU Blue card
Once the EU Blue card has been approved, the regional Directorate grants permission to issue the residence permit visa at the consular representation of Hungary and notifies the Consular Officers.

Extension of EU Blue card: Application for an extension can be submitted 30 days in advance to the expiration of the right of residence. At the submission the applicant must have a valid passport with atleast 3 months of validity.

Documents required:

Documents certifying the purpose of residence:

A valid employment contract requiring a higher education qualification between the third country national and the employee upto a 4 year tenure
Documents providing proof of the higher education qualification

Documents supporting the financial conditions necessary to live in Hungary:

Preliminary agreement for employment requiring advanced skills or,
A valid employment contract

Documents supporting the existence of an all exclusive health insurance

A full health coverage insurance

Term: EU Blue card is usually issued for a 1 year period. However, if the employment tenure is for less than 1 year, the EU Blue card will be issued for a period up to 3 months post the expiration of the employment contract. The maximum tenure for an EU Blue card is 4 years and can be extended for another 4 year period.

Visa fee: EUR 60

Time taken to process the visa: 90 days

Schengen Business visa

This visa is issued to non-European citizens who wish to travel to a Schengen area on a short term basis for a business specification purpose on a single or multiple entry. Schengen Business visa holders can stay in a Schengen country for a 90 day period during a period of 6 months.

Documents required:

Passport sized photo (less than 6 months old, 35 X 40 mm, taken in a light clear background)
Return air ticket
Travel medical insurance policy
Passport valid for atleast 3 months from the date of departure
Cover letter explaining the purpose of visit
Profile of the applicant’s company/organization
Memorandum and Article of Association in original certified copy (registered with joint stock companies)/ Trade License (first issued and present renewal)/ Proprietorship/Partnership documents
Current bank statements
Employer letter specifying the purpose of the business travel and the business itinery
invitation letter from the partner company in the Schengen zone, faxed also to the corresponding consulate
Coverage of applicant’s expenses during the stay
Hotel reservation document
Proof of prior trade relations between the two companies (if relevant)

Applicant needs to attend the Schengen visa interview in person.

Visa fee: EUR 60

Time taken to process the visa: Atleast 15 days

Working (Employment) Schengen visa

Non-European citizens who intend to travel to a Schengen area for a short term for an employment specification should obtain an Employment Schengen visa.

Documents required:

Passport sized photograph (less than 6 months old, 35 X 40 mm, taken in a light clear background)
A passport valid for atleast 3 months after the departure date along with all the copies of your previous visas
Return air ticket
Travel medical insurance policy
Two application forms should be filled
Employment contract between the applicant and the potential employer in the Schengen area

Applicant needs to attend the Schengen visa interview in person.

Term of the visa: Schengen Employment visas are issued for a long term based on the term of employment

Visa fee: Long stay visa (more than 90 days) EUR 99, short term stay visa (less than 90 days) EUR 60

Time taken to process the visa: 3 months

Visa Application

Since Hungary is a member of the European Union (EU) as well as a party to the Schengen Treaty, differing rules and conditions apply to EU/EEA nationals compared to non-EU/EEA nationals. Foreign nationals from non-EU/EEA member countries need to apply for a valid work permit and/or visa to work in Hungary. Minister of National Economy publishes on an annual basis the number of work permits that can be issued to foreign nationals which is published in the Official Hungarian Gazzette (Magyar Közlöny).

All foreign nationals who intend to work in Hungary must obtain a work permit.

Types of work permits:

Individual work permit
Joint work permit
Residence permit

Individual work permits are issued if a foreign national wishes to work in Hungary for a period not exceeding 90 days during a 180 day period. A Joint permit is required if a foreign national intends to work in Hungary for a period exceeding 90 days within a 180 day period.

Process to obtain a work permit

1. Advertise the job in the Hungarian Labour Office (Munkaügyi Központ) for a fixed period of 15 days to allow sufficient time for unemployed Hungarian national to compete for the job vacancy.

2. Initiate a manpower procedure by submitting a valid manpower request to the regional branch of the labour centre. Number of work permits issued for foreign employees cannot exceed the average number of workers requested by employers (monthly basis) as reported during the previous year. Such data are made available on an annual basis in the Official Hungarian Gazzette (Magyar Közlöny) published by the Minister for National Economy. An employer must satisfy the following conditions to be granted work permits:

A valid workforce requirement for the foreign national prior to applying for a work permit
Absence of Hungarian nationals to fill the workforce requirement
Foreign national satisfies the employment conditions

3. There are two procedures applicable.

General procedure
Simplified procedure

Requests for a work permit must be made within 60 days from making a labour demand request. Some of the key documents required include:

Certificate of vocational qualification required to perform the job activities
Employment conditions certificate
Document certifying employer’s title of operation
Medical certificate

General procedure: Submit a work permit application to the Labour Centre if the foreign national intends to work for a period less than 90 days with a 180 day period. If the foreign national intends to work for a period exceeding 90 days within an 180 day period, the joint permit should be submitted to the Immigration Bureau. It takes up to 90 days to obtain approval for a joint work permit and is valid for a 2 year period. Such work permits can be extended for an additional 2 year period.

Simplified procedure: A simplified procedure does not require the employer to submit a manpower request when submitting the application for an individual work permit to the Labour Centre or when submitting the application for a joint permit to the Immigration Bureau. Circumstances under which a simplified procedure may be approved:

If one or more of the foreign firms/persons possess majority ownership interest in the company applying for the work permit. However, the number of foreign nationals to be employed cannot exceed 5% of the total work force of the company as of 31^st of December in the immediate preceding year.
If the employer intends to employ a foreign national for installation work, or provide guarantee, maintenance, or warranty related activities for more than 15 consecutive working days
If the foreign employee is exempt from work permit requirements a residency permit must be applied for

4. Labour centre will make the final decision within 10 – 30 days from submitting the work permit. Once the work permit is approved a resolution will be issued by the Labour Centre specifying:

Employer who is authorized to employ the foreign national
Workplace details
Job description and associated activities
Employment tenure

5. Apply for a residence permit (Tartózkodási engedély) permiting residency for a period exceeding 90 days.

Foreigners need to have a work permit to work in Hungary.

Single permit: A residence permit which authorizes a third country national to establish an employment relationship with a Hungarian employer.

Documents required: Photo and fingerprints (biometric information)

Documents supporting legal employment:

Temporary work booklet
Business plan for business activity
Individual business card/registration number
Agriculture permit (for primary producers)
Agency/business/user contract signed by a private individual
A deed for a business association, co-operative, or any other legal person created for the purpose of making profits has legally employed at least 3 Hungarian citizens or persons having rights for free movement and residence for atleast 6 months on a continuous basis
Foreign applicant’s stay in Hungary is indispensable for the business association and it’s based on the attached business plan

Documents supporting the financial conditions necessary to live in Hungary:

A bank certificate issued by a Hungarian or foreign bank
A certificate of income issued by the employer
A certificate issued by the employer and/or the tax authority with respect to regular income from abroad

Documents supporting the existence of Hungarian accommodation:

A rental agreement
A document approving the use of the flat by courtesy
A document evidencing the availability of a reserved and paid place of accommodation
Certificate proving the place in a dormitory
A document evidencing the ownership of a flat
A contract of sale and purchase of a real estate and state approval for acquiring the real estate

Documents supporting the existence of an all inclusive health insurance:

Must provide evidence of full health coverage

Documents supporting the existence of provisions to leave the country:

A return air ticket
A valid passport or necessary permit allowing the third country national to return to his/her country of origin

Visa extension: Visa extension is allowed provided that at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the visa the applicant submits the required documentation to the respective regional directorate of the Office of Immigration and Nationality. Moreover, the passport must be valid for at least 3 months at the time of visa extension.

Visa fee: EUR 60

Time taken to process the visa: 21 days

6. Foreign nationals working in Hungary should obtain

A Social Insurance Identification Number (TAJ-szám) from the National Health Insurance Fund Administration
A tax identification number from the tax authority

Rules for European Area Citizens (EEA): Permission is not required for EEA citizens to enter into an employment arrangement in Hungary. However, a notification is required.

Employer is obligated to inform the Labour Centre about the employment of an EEA national. The notification must contain the following information:

Number of people employed
Their age
Citizenship
Qualifications
HSCO number of the position
Form of the employment relationship
For relative status, statistical core number of the employer and information pertaining whether the employment relation just started or ceased

Next, the notification is verified by the Hungarian Employment Centre.

Employers should retain the verification of the employment start and end date post 3 years from termination of employment.