National residence card
permanent residence · Official name: Nemzeti tartózkodási kártya
The national residence card gives the right to live in Hungary for an indefinite period. It is open to people who have lived in Hungary legally and continuously for at least 3 years on a qualifying permit, and to certain family members of Hungarian citizens, long-term residents and refugees. The minister decides, there is no appeal, and the stay must be in line with Hungary's interests.
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
Your edge here Premium
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Long-term residents of Hungary on qualifying permits, spouses (married at least 2 years) and dependent parents of Hungarian citizens and refugees, former Hungarian citizens and their descendants.
Eligibility
3 years of residence
Sign in to check this route against your profileShow at least 3 years of legal, uninterrupted stay in Hungary before you apply, on a qualifying permit or card.
3 years
Time in Hungary
- Stay must be on a residence permit, interim settlement permit or interim residence card
Official wording
At least 3 years of legal, uninterrupted stay in Hungary before applying, while holding a residence permit, interim settlement permit or interim residence card.
Family routes
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need one of the listed family or Hungarian-origin links to apply on a family route.
Time needed by family route
- Dependent parentliving with citizen, long-term resident or refugee
- 1 year
- Spousemarried before applying
- 2 years
- Parent route: lives with a Hungarian citizen, long-term resident or recognised refugee
- Spouse route: spouse is a citizen, long-term resident or recognised refugee
- Minor child of a long-term resident or refugee
- Former Hungarian citizen or person with a Hungarian ancestor
Official wording
Dependent parent living with a Hungarian citizen, long-term resident or recognised refugee for at least 1 year; spouse of one of them married at least 2 years before applying; minor child of a long-term resident or refugee; former Hungarian citizen or person with a Hungarian ancestor.
Permits that do not qualify
Sign in to check this route against your profileNot available to holders of guest self-employment, seasonal work, investment-project work, employment, guest worker, study, training, temporary, medical, White Card, posting, traineeship or volunteer permits.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement
- Document checklist
- Fees
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 3 more requirements
- 4 documents
- 1 fee
- 4 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Want a licensed advisor to check your case?
Connect with a licensed legal advisor for Hungary. They set their own price and you pay them directly.
Before you pay anyone, check their licencePlaces to visit in Hungary
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
