Asylum through an embassy declaration of intent, and temporary protection for people from Ukraine
Official name: Menedékjog (szándéknyilatkozat) / menedékes státusz
Under transitional rules, most people who want asylum in Hungary must first hand in a declaration of intent in person at a Hungarian embassy in a neighbouring non-EU country. Only if the asylum authority approves it does the embassy issue a one-time travel document to enter Hungary and apply. People who fled the war in Ukraine can instead ask for temporary protection (menedékes status); those documents are valid to 4 March 2028.
Life in Hungary
Finance
3
Currency
Hungarian Forint
HUF
Hungarian Forint
Cost of living
58
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
Flat 15%
Income tax (national)
VAT 27% · social security 18.5%
Flat 15%; exemptions for young people under 25 and certain mothers.
Living
1
Happiness
#72 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Who it’s for
People seeking protection from persecution or serious harm, and people displaced from Ukraine since 24 February 2022.
Eligibility
Declaration of intent at an embassy
Make your request in person at a Hungarian embassy in a neighbouring non-EU country, using a declaration of intent form.
For declarations filed on or after 20 July 2025- Form is available in Hungarian or English
- Declaration is addressed to the asylum authority
- Legal basis: Act L of 2025 and Decree 23/2024 (XII.30.) KKM
Official wording
For declarations filed on or after 20 July 2025, the request is made in person by declaration of intent (Hungarian or English form), addressed to the asylum authority, at a Hungarian embassy in a neighbouring non-EU country (Act L of 2025 and Decree 23/2024 (XII.30.) KKM).
Examination and travel document
The asylum authority examines your declaration and may interview you remotely at the embassy; all contact goes through the embassy.
Time limits
- Tell embassyif approved
- 60 days
- Travel documentvalid, one entry
- 30 days
- The embassy issues the travel document if approved
Official wording
The asylum authority examines the declaration and may interview the person remotely at the embassy. If approved, it tells the embassy within 60 days and the embassy issues a travel document valid for 30 days for one entry. All contact goes through the embassy.
After entry
On entry, tell the border police at once that you want to apply for asylum.
Time limits
- Police to authority
- 24 hours
- Closed facility staythen general rules apply
- four weeks
- The authority may place you in a closed reception facility
- After four weeks, general accommodation rules apply unless asylum detention applies
Official wording
On entry, the person must tell the border police at once that they want to apply; the police bring them to the asylum authority within 24 hours. The authority may place the applicant in a closed reception facility; after four weeks, accommodation follows the general rules unless asylum detention applies.
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- 2 more requirements
- 3 documents
- 1 fee
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Official sources
Other routes to Hungary
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