National Residence Card – long-term stay in Hungary
October 23, 2024
info@avianlegal.hu +3670-389-3614
Dr. Boldizsár Dominik LL.M.
Hungary’s popularity has been on the rise in recent years, with the Central European country becoming increasingly attractive to foreign tourists, guest workers, and investors. This growing popularity has generated greater interest in immigration procedures, but unfortunately, there are still few up-to-date resources that reliably address the most common questions in this topic. Our article aims to provide guidance on the two most commonly used entry permits: the so-called visa and the residence permit.
What determines whether I should apply for a visa or a residence permit?
First, it’s important to highlight the key distinction right from the beginning: the duration of stay.
- A Schengen visa is an entry permit that allows non-EU citizens to visit a Schengen Area country for a short, temporary stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Since Hungary is a member of the European Union, for any stay not exceeding 90 days, the so-called Schengen visa is required. The 180-day period is a rolling window and the days you’ve already spent in the zone over the past 180 days are calculated cumulatively.
- A residence permit, on the other hand, is an entry permit that authorizes long-term stays exceeding 90 days for individuals whose applications are approved.
The first and most crucial question to determine is how long the applicant wishes to stay in Hungary. The duration of stay will decide whether a visa or a residence permit is needed.
What are the most common types of Schengen visas?
The next decision relates to the purpose of the visit, as both visas and residence permits are divided into subcategories based on the purpose of the application.
For a Schengen visa, the most commonly requested types are tourist visas, business visas, and study visas, which, based on my experience, cover the majority of needs. Visas may allow either single or multiple entries.
What are the most common types of residence permits in Hungary?
For residence permits, the most frequently requested are various types of work-related residence permits (e.g. Hungarian Card, Blue Card, National Card, residence permit for guest workers, residence permit for employment purposes, etc.). However, the application process is influenced by factors such as whether the applicant plans to work in a position requiring higher education, a non-skilled job, or as a senior executive of a company they have founded. Other important factors can include the applicant’s nationality and the nature of the position. In addition to the various work-related residence permits, family reunification permits are also very popular, allowing applicants to join family members who already hold valid residence permits in Hungary. Recently, there has been growing interest in the so-called investor residence permit, which is issued in exchange for a certain level of investment in Hungary.
The above list of visa and residence permit types are, of course, only examples. In the case of visas, European Union regulations, and for residence permits, Hungarian laws cover many more types. The selection of the appropriate type depends not only on the duration of stay and the purpose of residence but also on other factors. Therefore, it is advisable to consult an expert before beginning the application process and to entrust the preparation of the required documentation to a professional.
What documents need to be attached to the applications?
Generally speaking, visa applications are simpler, both in terms of the application process and the required documentation, than residence permit applications. For visas, it is usually enough to fill out the application forms and provide proof of the necessary travel conditions (e.g., valid passport, hotel booking, flight ticket, etc.). In contrast, residence permit applications require the completion of more detailed documentation and specific attachments (such as a business plan, pre-agreement with an employer, diploma translations, bank statements, marriage certificates, etc.). Naturally, the exact list of documents depends on the type of Schengen visa or residence permit being applied for, as the relevant regulations specify different documents for different types of applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What determines whether I should apply for a visa or a residence permit?
Primarily, the duration of the stay and the purpose of the visit are the key factors.
What are the most common types of Schengen visas?
The most commonly requested visa types are tourist visas, business visas, and study visas.
What are the most common types of residence permits?
The most commonly requested types of residence permits are work-related permits (e.g., Hungarian Card, Blue Card, National Card, residence permit for guest workers, residence permit for employment purposes, etc.), family reunification permits, and guest-investor residence permits.
What documents need to be attached to the applications?
The list of required documents depends on the type of Schengen visa or residence permit being applied for. Different regulations outline the documents necessary for different types of applications (e.g., valid passport, hotel booking, flight ticket, business plan, pre-agreement with an employer, diploma translations, bank statements, marriage certificate, etc.).
