Living in Hungary

Getting help with living in Hungary

Help from the Hungarian government

For any questions about moving to or living in Hungary, you may be able to get help from the:

• Embassy of Hungary in London
• Hungarian National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing

The UK government and the British Embassy in Budapest cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Hungary.

Professional help in Hungary

You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Hungary, including:

• lawyers
• translators
• notaries
• funeral directors

Help from the UK government

Read the travel advice for Hungary to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Hungary. This includes the latest information on:

• visas and entry requirements
• laws and cultural differences
• safety and security

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.

Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.

Visas, residency and citizenship

Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Hungary before you travel.

Visas and residence permits

Check which Hungarian visa or residence permit (in Hungarian) you need to live in Hungary. 

You can get a visa or residence permit to:

• work, including as a digital nomad
• study
• invest or start a business in Hungary
• live with family in Hungary
• volunteer
• do research

You can only apply for some types of residence permits online, through the Enter Hungary portal.

For more information, read the Hungarian government’s guidance on visas and residency for UK citizens.

Registering as a resident

Once you arrive, you may need to register your address in Hungary with the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing. You must also inform the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing within 3 days if you change your address in Hungary.

Read guidance on reporting obligations for third-country nationals for information on how and when to register your address in Hungary.

If you have any problems or questions about registering your address, contact:

• the National Directorate-General of Aliens Policing call centre
• an English-speaking lawyer in Hungary

Extending or replacing your visa or residence permit

Contact the National Directorate-General of Aliens Policing call centre for information on how to:

• extend your visa or residence permit
• replace a lost, damaged or stolen visa or residence permit

If your visa or residence permit is lost, damaged or stolen you must immediately report this to the Hungarian authorities. For more information, read guidance on reporting obligations for third-country nationals.

Permanent residency

You may be able to apply for permanent residency in Hungary if you meet the eligibility criteria.

To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read the Hungarian government’s guidance on:

• residing in Hungary
• right of long-term residence in Hungary for non-EEA nationals

You can also contact the National Directorate-General of Aliens Policing call centre.

Citizenship

Hungary recognises dual citizenship with the UK. This means that you do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Hungarian citizen.

To find out if you’re eligible for Hungarian citizenship:

• read the Hungarian government’s guidance on getting Hungarian nationality
• contact the Hungarian governmental hotline
• contact the Embassy of Hungary in London

Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications

The British Embassy in Budapest cannot help with Hungarian visa, residency or citizenship applications.

For any questions or issues, contact:

• the Hungarian governmental hotline
• the Embassy of Hungary in London
• an English-speaking lawyer in Hungary

Residency if you moved to Hungary before 1 January 2021

If you moved to Hungary before 1 January 2021, and have been legally living there since then, you and your family members have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Residence cards if you moved to Hungary before 1 January 2021

If you moved to Hungary before 1 January 2021, make sure you have a new residence card (‘Nemzeti Letelepedési Engedély’). This shows that you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Under the new digital Entry/Exit System (EES), you’ll need the new residence card when entering or leaving Hungary. If you have one, you will not have to register with the EES when entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area. Without it, you may be wrongly identified as overstaying in the Schengen area and denied entry to Hungary or other Schengen countries.

If you do not have a residence card

If you were living in Hungary before 1 January 2021, but do not have a new residence card (‘Nemzeti Letelepedési Engedély’), you must apply for one. You’ll need to submit evidence to prove that you met the residency criteria at the time.

Read the Hungarian government’s Brexit information for details of how and when to apply for your residence card.

If your application is successful, you’ll get a biometric residence card called a ‘Nemzeti Letelepedési Engedély’.

If your application is unsuccessful, you may be able to appeal or apply for a different residence permit under the rules for third country nationals. Consider getting legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Hungary.

For more information on how to appeal, read the Hungarian government’s Brexit information or contact the Hungarian governmental hotline .

Renewing your residence card if you moved to Hungary before 1 January 2021

You’ll need to renew your ‘Nemzeti Letelepedési Engedély’ residence card when it expires.

For information on how to renew your residence card:

• contact the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing call center
• read the Hungarian government’s Brexit information for information on how to renew your residence card.

Bringing family members to Hungary if you moved there before 1 January 2021

The Hungarian government’s Brexit information explains:

• which family members can join you in Hungary
• how and when they should apply for their residence document
• fees and processing times

You can also read our guidance on your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Passports and travel

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• apply for a British passport from abroad
• travel urgently without your British passport

If you have a Hungarian residence permit or long stay visa, the time you spend in Hungary does not count towards the 90-day visa-free period you can spend in the Schengen area.

Always carry your passport and residence document when entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area. If you’re asked to show your passport at border control, make sure you also show your residence document or other evidence of residence status. Your passport may be stamped if you do not.

If you have dual citizenship with an EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country, you should enter and leave Hungary using your EU or EFTA passport.

Dual citizens travelling to the UK 

When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.

European Entry/Exit System (EES)

Under the new digital Entry/Exit System (EES) there are new rules for entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area. Non-EU nationals will need to have their photo and fingerprints taken or verified at the border. This data will be stored in a digital record and used to monitor how long visitors have spent in the Schengen area.

British nationals legally resident in Hungary, and who have a valid residence document, do not need to register with the EES. Annex 22 of the Schengen Border Code (PDF, 1062KB) explains which residence documents are accepted.  

If you’re legally resident in Hungary but do not have a valid residence document, contact the National Directorate-General of Aliens Policing call centre for information on how to get one.

For more information about how the EES will work and when it will come into force, read:

• EU guidance on the EES
• guidance on the EES for UK nationals

Healthcare in Hungary

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• plan your healthcare
• take medicine abroad

To find out how to get medical treatment:

• read guidance on healthcare in Hungary and health in Hungary
• find English-speaking medical facilities and doctors for British Nationals in Hungary

You can also read the Hungarian government’s guidance on:

• social security
• the National Health Insurance Fund of Hungary (NEAK)

Working in Hungary

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.

To work in Hungary, you may need a work permit or work visa. Our guidance on travelling to Hungary for work explains the different work permits and visas available to you. 

You do not need a work permit or visa if you have been living in Hungary legally since before 1 January 2021, as you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

To apply for a job, you may need to provide a UK police certificate.

If you live in Hungary and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country before 1 January 2021, read guidance for frontier workers.

Recognition of qualifications

If you want to work in Hungary, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised.

Driving in Hungary

Read our guidance on moving, living and retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• drive abroad legally
• take your UK vehicle abroad
• get driving licence letters

The Central Office for Administrative and Electronic Public Services provides information on driving licences in Hungary, including how to:

• apply for a first Hungarian driving licence
• exchange your driving licence

Read the Hungarian government guidance on exemptions from import duties on personal property, including vehicles.

For more information read guidance on:

• driving in the EU
• road travel in Hungary, in safety and security in the travel advice for Hungary

You can also contact the Hungarian National Transport Authority.

Driving in Hungary using a foreign driving licence

You can drive in Hungary for up to 12 months using a driving licence issued in:

• the UK
• Gibraltar
• Jersey
• Guernsey
• the Isle of Man

You cannot replace or renew any of these licences if you live in Hungary.

Exchanging your UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man driving licence

To continue driving after 12 months, you must exchange your driving licence.

To exchange an Isle of Man driving licence, you’ll need to take a test. You will not need to take a test to exchange a UK, Gibraltar, Jersey or Guernsey licence.

You should apply for the exchange before the 12 months is over. Applications may take time to process, and you’ll need your Hungarian licence to drive legally. 

Disabled drivers

You may be able to apply for:

• an EU parking card for people with disabilities
• a new Hungarian disabled parking card, at your local government office (‘kormanyablakok’) (in Hungarian)

If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Hungary, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

Tax

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance. 

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Hungary so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.

Contact the Hungarian National Tax and Customs Administration for any questions about double taxation relief.

To pay income tax in Hungary you need an income tax card (‘Adóigazolvány’) with your tax number (‘Adóazonosító’) from your local branch of the National Tax and Customs Administration. To get this, you must register as a taxpayer in Hungary.

Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Hungary. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Hungary.

National Insurance

Check if you need to pay National Insurance if you’re going to work in the EU, Gibraltar, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland.

Declaring your assets

All residents must declare assets outside Hungary, including:

• bank accounts
• securities
• insurance
• annuities
• property

The declaration is separate to the annual tax return. If you do not declare your assets, you face severe penalties and criminal charges.

Pensions

Claiming your UK pension

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:

• how to claim your UK State Pension
• where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension

Your UK state pension is calculated differently if you’ve previously lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and now live in the EU.

Claiming a Hungarian pension

Contact the Hungarian State Treasury to find out whether you can claim a Hungarian pension.

Benefits

Claiming UK benefits

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit. 

You can also read guidance on benefits and pensions for UK nationals in the EU, EEA or Switzerland.

Claiming Hungarian benefits

You may be entitled to some Hungarian benefits.

To find out if you’re eligible and how to claim, read guidance on:

• entitlement to Hungarian social security benefits (in Hungarian)
• Hungarian family benefits (in Hungarian)

For more information contact the Hungarian government helpline.

Hungarian travel benefits

You can travel for free on Hungarian public transport if you’re 65 or older and you either:

• get a Hungarian state pension
• have a National Permanent Residence permit (‘Nemzeti Letelepedési Engedély’) or National Residence Card (‘Nemzeti Tartózkodási Kártya’).

You cannot use any other type of residence permit to prove you’re eligible.

Children under the age of 6 also travel for free on Hungarian public transport.

Children aged 6 to 14, students and people who get a Hungarian disability allowance may also be eligible for public transport discounts.

For more information on prices and travel discounts, visit:

• Volánbusz - for coach services
• MÁV - for trains
• Budapest public transport (BKV) - for travel in Budapest

Buying and renting property in Hungary

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad. 

You may need a permit to buy property in Hungary. If you’re considering buying property or land, contact:

• your regional government office (kormányhivatal) (in Hungarian)
• an English-speaking lawyer in Hungary

Voting in Hungary

UK elections

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• vote in UK elections from abroad
• register as an overseas voter

Hungarian elections

You can vote in local municipal elections in Hungary if you are a permanent resident.

You cannot vote in Hungarian national elections unless you hold Hungarian citizenship.

You also cannot vote in  European elections unless you hold citizenship of an EU country.

Studying in Hungary

If you plan to study in Hungary, you must meet all visa and residence requirements before you travel.

You do not need a student visa or residence permit if you have been living in Hungary legally since before 1 January 2021, as you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

For more information, read guidance on:

• studying in Hungary
• studying in the EU
• travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England)

You can also contact:

• your higher education provider in the UK or Hungary
• the Hungarian government’s Study in Hungary programme
• the Embassy of Hungary in London

Children

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:

• getting permission to take your child abroad
• claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
• child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad

Schools and education

The European Commission provides information about the school system in Hungary.

All children aged 6 to 16 must attend school in Hungary.

For more information, read the Hungarian government’s guidance on public schooling in Hungary. This covers:

• how to enrol your child in school
• compulsory schooling
• how to apply for a student identity card

Childcare

The Ministry of Culture and Innovation and the Ministry of the Interior are responsible for childcare services and kindergartens in Hungary.

For more information, read guidance on:

• early childhood education and care in Hungary
• family and child benefits in Hungary
• daycare and nursery schools, in public education in Hungary

Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships

Births

If your child is born in Hungary, register the birth with the Hungarian authorities. You can do this at the appropriate local Registry Office. For more information, read guidance on Birth notification and birth registration (in Hungarian).   

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
• apply for your child’s first British passport

Deaths

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:

• what to do after someone dies abroad
• how to register the death with the UK authorities

If someone dies in Hungary, read guidance on:

• what to do when someone dies in Hungary
• English-speaking funeral directors in Hungary

Marriages and civil partnerships

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad. 

The Embassy of Hungary in Edinburgh provides information on marriage in Hungary.

Divorce and separation

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.

The European e-justice portal provides information on divorce and legal separation in Hungary.

Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Hungary.  

Documents for British people in Hungary

Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers: 

• legalising and certifying UK documents
• marriage and civil partnership documents
• affirmations and affidavits
• witnessing signatures

Lawyers, translators and notaries

To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in Hungary, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.

Pets

If you want to bring your pet with you to Hungary, read guidance on:

• bringing pets to Hungary
• taking your pet dog, cat or ferret to an EU country

Returning to the UK

Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.

If the NHS funds your healthcare in Hungary through the S1 form, contact the NHS Overseas Healthcare Team to cancel it.  

Disclaimer

We provide this information as a guide only.  For definitive information, contact the Hungarian authorities.

Read our consular information disclaimer.