Hungary
Work permit in Hungary.
To work in Hungary without EU, EEA or Swiss citizenship you need a residence and work permit from Országos Idegenrendészeti Főigazgatóság (OIF) (National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (NDGAP)). The main routes are Hungarian Card (Magyar Kártya), EU Blue Card, ICT permit, Seasonal work permit. Permanent residence is possible after 3 years on most routes.
Permit types
The permits Hungary issues
- Hungarian Card (Magyar Kártya)
- EU Blue Card
- ICT permit
- Seasonal work permit
- Self-employment permit
- Family member permit
- Residence permit
- Visa
- Residence card
- Social-security certificate (A1 or similar)
Staying longer
Faster routes and settling
Permanent residence: after 3 years
- Three years of lawful residence in Hungary without interruption on a residence permit before applying for the national residence card (nemzeti tartózkodási kártya)
- Housing and subsistence guaranteed in Hungary, and comprehensive health insurance or the means to cover healthcare
- Long-term residence in line with Hungary's interests; not open to holders of the employment, guest-worker or seasonal residence permits
EU long-term residence: after 5 years
- Stable and regular resources
- Sickness insurance
- Integration conditions where national law sets them
Authorities
Who does what in Hungary
Országos Idegenrendészeti Főigazgatóság (OIF) (National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (NDGAP))
Decides residence permits under Act XC of 2023, including the Hungarian Card and the EU Blue Card, through its regional directorates and Enter Hungary
Official websiteNemzeti Adó- és Vámhivatal (NAV) (National Tax and Customs Administration of Hungary)
Gives the tax identification number on form T34 and then issues the tax card
Official websiteNemzeti Egészségbiztosítási Alapkezelő (NEAK) (National Health Insurance Fund of Hungary)
Keeps the register of TAJ numbers (social security identifier) and issues the TAJ card
Official websiteOther countries
- Sweden
- Germany
- France
- Netherlands
- Denmark
- Portugal
- Spain
- Belgium
- Norway
- Austria
- Czech Republic
- Poland
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Finland
- Estonia
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Greece
- Cyprus
- Malta
- Croatia
- Bulgaria
- Romania
- Luxembourg
- Liechtenstein
- Switzerland
- United Arab Emirates
Official sources
- OIF: Residence permit for Hungarian Card
- OIF: Residence permit for the purpose of employment
- OIF: Information for employers and host organisations
- OIF: Obligations of employers and host organisations employing third-country nationals
- OIF: Reporting obligations of third-country nationals
- OIF: Registration certificate for EEA nationals
- OIF: National residence card
- OIF: Residence permit for the purpose of family reunification
- OIF: Enter Hungary electronic administration
- NAV: General information for foreign citizens (tax registration)
- NEAK: National Health Insurance Fund of Hungary
- Directive 2009/52/EC (employer sanctions), art. 4, EUR-Lex
- Directive 2004/38/EC (free movement), art. 8, EUR-Lex
- European Commission: EU Blue Card
- European Commission: the intra-corporate transfers directive
FAQ
Questions, answered.
Who issues work permits in Hungary?
Országos Idegenrendészeti Főigazgatóság (OIF) (National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (NDGAP)): Decides residence permits under Act XC of 2023, including the Hungarian Card and the EU Blue Card, through its regional directorates and Enter Hungary.
When can someone get permanent residence in Hungary?
After 3 years on most routes. Three years of lawful residence in Hungary without interruption on a residence permit before applying for the national residence card (nemzeti tartózkodási kártya). Housing and subsistence guaranteed in Hungary, and comprehensive health insurance or the means to cover healthcare. Long-term residence in line with Hungary's interests; not open to holders of the employment, guest-worker or seasonal residence permits.
When can someone get eu long-term residence in Hungary?
After 5 years on most routes. Stable and regular resources. Sickness insurance. Integration conditions where national law sets them.
Which software can an agency or HR team use to manage work permits in Hungary?
Settio is relocation management and work permit software with a plan for Hungary: the main route (Hungarian Card (Magyar Kártya)), the steps with the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (NDGAP), the documents, the deadlines and the registrations after arrival, with client and employee portals, quotes and milestone invoices. It runs every EU country in the same workspace, and each case shows only Hungary's own rules and sources.
How does Settio help with work permits in Hungary?
Settio builds the step-by-step plan for each person moving to Hungary, checks documents before filing, tracks deadlines and gives the person a portal in their own language.
More
- Relocating to Hungary: the first weeks
- Relocation and immigration across Europe
- AI immigration compliance
Informational only. This guide is not legal advice. Always verify requirements with official government sources before acting. Reviewed by the Settio team. Facts checked 3 October 2026. About this information