Living in Hungary

Stay up to date

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Stay up to date

You should:

• sign up for email alerts on living in Hungary
• follow the British Embassy in Hungary on Facebook and Twitter

Attend a citizen outreach meeting

The British Embassy regularly holds events across Hungary for UK nationals. Attend one of our citizen outreach meetings to keep up to date on working and living in Hungary after Brexit.Hungary.

You can also:

• read the Hungarian government’s guidance onfor BrexitUK nationals living in Hungary
• read

The LivingWithdrawal Agreement

The Withdrawal Agreement sets out the terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and provides for a deal on citizens’ rights. It sets out a transition period which lasts until 31 December 2020. During this time you can continue to live, work and study in the EU:EU preparebroadly as you did before 31 January 2020.

If you are resident in Hungary at the end of the transition period, you will be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, and your rights will be protected for Brexitas long as you remain resident in Hungary.

Any rights that are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement will be the subject of future negotiations. Read this guidance page for more information

In the meantime, make sure you are registered as a resident in Hungary. We will update this guidance as soon as more information becomes available.

You should also read our guidance on living in Europe .

Visas and residency

Check the entry requirements for Hungary.

You must carry your ID or passport at all times – a copy of your ID or passport won’t be accepted.

Residency

If you are resident in Hungary before the transition period ends on 31 December 2020, you will be able to stay. The Hungarian government is committed to protecting the current rights of UK nationals legally resident in Hungary from 31 December 2020.

If you’re staying more than 3 months, you must register at your local National Directorate General for Aliens Policing (Országos IdegenrendészteiIdegenrendészeti Főigazgatóság).

You should receive your registration certificate on the spot; your address card will be delivered through the post.

If you move to a different town in Hungary, you must register your address again at the local registry office (Kormányablak).

Visas and residency after Brexit

If you are resident in Hungary before the end of the implementation period on 31 December 2020, you will be able to stay. The Hungarian government is committed to protecting the current rights of UK nationals legally resident in Hungary from 31 December 2020.

For more information read the Hungarian government’s guidance onfor Brexit.UK nationals living in Hungary.

If there are changes to residency registration processesprocesses, after Brexit, we will update this guidance as soon as information is available.

Passports and travel

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Passports

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your British passport online from Hungary.

Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip. Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay; you do not need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this.stay.

You’ll need to renew your passport before travelling if you do not have enough time left on your passport.

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Driving in Hungary

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You can still use your Hungarian licence in the UK for short visits or exchange it for a UK licence without taking a test if you return to live in the UK.

Read the guidance on:

• driving licence renewal and exchange
• what you need to drive abroad
• driving rules in Hungary

When driving, you should always have:

• your driving licence
• your car papers
• your insurance paper
• your MOT certificate
• your passport or ID and those of your passengers
• a high-visibility jacket
• a red warning triangle
• first aid kit

Holders of UK driving licences who are resident in Hungary may use their UK licence for a period of one year from the date their residence in Hungary began. After one year, they should exchange their UK licence for a local driving licence. There is no requirement to retake any exams during this process, both for EU and non-EU citizens.

Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to Hungary

Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.

Read the European Union’s guidance on car registration and taxes in Hungary. You may be exempt from some of these taxes. If so you will need certificates of exemption.

Driving after Brexit

Healthcare

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Healthcare

You must be registered for healthcare as a resident in Hungary, and if necessary, healthcare insurance.

Read the guidance on who is able to access healthcare in Hungary and how to register.

If you are employed in Hungary, state health insurance is normally arranged through your employer. Insurance contributions will be deducted from your wages. If you’re self-employed, you can arrange to make voluntary contributions (in Hungarian) through the National Tax and Customs Administration Office.

If you’re seconded to Hungary by your company, there are special rules regarding health insurance. You should contact your company’s HR department.

European

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• the EHIC covers treatment that is medically necessary until your planned return home
• an EHIC is not a replacement for comprehensive travel insurance
• read our travel advice pages and advicehow onto foreign travel insuranceregister.

State healthcare: S1

If you live in Hungary and receive an exportable UK pension, contribution-based Employment Support Allowance or another exportable benefit, you may currently be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK. You will need to apply for a certificate of entitlement known as an S1 certificate.

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Working in Hungary

Read our guidance on working in anotheran EU country.

You may need to apply for a UK police certificate.

Working

If you are resident in Hungary afteron Brexit

Youror before 31 December 2020, your right to work will stay the same, as long as you remain resident in Hungary.

Education and professional qualifications

Studying

If you are resident in Hungary

Your on or before 31 December 2020, your right to study in Hungary will stay the same, as long as you remain resident in Hungary.

Read the guidance on continuing your studies in the European Union after BrexitUnion..

Professional qualifications

ProfessionalIf qualificationsyou fromhave thealready UK,been orrecognised by an EU country,country as holding valid professional qualifications, this will remain valid ifafter they31 January 2020.

If you have beennot recognisedhad byyour professional qualifications recognised, you can submit an application under the Hungariancurrent authoritiesrules beforeuntil 31 December 2020.

Read the Hungarian government’s guidance on how to request recognition of your qualifications.

Money and tax

The UK has a double-taxationdouble taxation agreement with Hungary to ensure people do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.

Existing double taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Hungary have not changed following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

Read guidance on:

• tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
• tax on your UK income if you live abroad
• paying income tax in Hungary

In order to pay income tax in Hungary you need to get an income tax card (Adóigazolvány) with your tax number (Adóazonosító) from your local National Tax and Customs office.

You should get professional advice on paying tax in Hungary. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Hungary.

Declaration of assets

All residents must declare assets outside Hungary, including bank accounts, securities, rights, insurance, annuities and property. The declaration is separate to the annual tax return, and there are severe penalties and criminal charges for non-compliance.

National Insurance

Find out if you can pay National Insurance while abroad in order to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.

If you are employed or self-employed in the EU or EEA and you have a UK-issued A1/E101 form, you will remain subject to UK legislation until the end date on the form.

Money and tax after Brexit

Brexit will not change existing double-taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Hungary. Send your questions about double taxation to the relevant tax authority.

Pensions

You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.

If you retire to Hungary you can claim:

• your UK State Pension and or new UK State Pension
• contact the International Pension Centre to claim
• your Hungarian pension, if you have worked in Hungary
• pensions from working abroad, if you’ve worked in other EU countries

Life certificates for UK State Pensions

If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you don’t.

Pensions after Brexit31 December 2020

YouThere canwill continuebe no changes before 31 December 2020 to receivethe yourrules on claiming the UK State Pension if you live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland andas youa canresult stillof claimthe your UK Stateleaving Pension.the EU.

If you are living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020 you will get your UK State Pension uprated every year for as long as you continue to live there. This will happen even if you start claiming your pension on or after 1 January 2021, as long as you meet the qualifying conditions.conditions explained in the new State Pension guidance.

If you are living in Hungary by 31 December 2020, you will be able to count future social security contributions towards meeting the qualifying conditions for your UK State Pension.

If you work and pay social security contributions in Hungary, you will still be able to add your UK social security contributions towards your Hungarian pension. This will happen even if you claim your pension after the31 endDecember of the implementation period.2020.

Benefits

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Benefits

You will need to tell the EU.UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.

You may still be able to claim some UK benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in Hungary.

• read our guidance on claiming benefits if you live, move or travel abroad
• use our tool to check which UK benefits you might be able to get while you’re abroad and how to claim them

Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid to you if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

You may be eligible to claim some Hungarian social security benefits – see Hungarian social security benefits.

You can request proof of the time you’ve worked in the UK from HMRC if you are asked for this.

Under existing Hungarian legislation, Hungarian citizens (including those who have repatriated to Hungary and persons holding dual nationality) as well as citizens of other EU Member States over the age of 65 years can travel free of charge on public transport services in Hungary, including BKV in Budapest.

Benefits after Brexit31 December 2020

There will be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming UK benefits in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.

If you are living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020, you will continue to receive any UK benefits you already receive. This will continue for as long as you live there and meet all other eligibility requirements.

If you work and pay social security contributions in Hungary, your UK social security contributions will be taken into account when applying for Hungarian contributions-based benefits. This will happen even if you claim contributions-based benefits after the31 endDecember of the implementation period.2020.

Voting

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Voting after Brexit

AfterIf Brexit, if you are permanent resident in Hungary youbefore willthe continuetransition toperiod beends ableon to31 December 2020 you can vote in local elections.municipal elections.

You willcannot novote longerin European Parliament elections.

You may be eligibleable to vote in Europeansome ParliamentUK elections.

• check if you are able to vote
• register as an overseas voter if you would like to vote

Births, deaths and getting married

If your child is born in Hungary, you will need to register a birth abroad.

If someone dies in Hungary:

• read our guidance on what to do after someone dies abroad
• read bereavement information for Hungary
• find English-speaking funeral directors in Hungary

Find out how you can get married abroad.

Find out about notarial and documentary services for UK nationals in Hungary.

Accommodation and buying property

See buying a property abroad.

Pets

Current pet travel rules will stay the same until 31 December 2020.

If you’re travelling with your pet for the first time you must visit your vet to get a pet passport.

Read guidance on bringing your pet travel.to the UK.

Emergencies

As well as the European emergency number 112, Hungary also has:

• 104 – ambulance and emergency medical services
• 105 – fire-brigade, rescue services, civil protection
• 107 – police

See Hungary – emergency numbers.

If you need urgent help, contact the British Embassy Budapest.

Other useful information

• English-speaking lawyers in Hungary
• English-speaking translators and interpreters in Hungary
• notary services in Hungary
• moving or retiring abroad

Returning to the UK

You should tell the UK and Hungarian authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently.

Before you leave the country, you must return your registration certificate to your local immigration office and your address card (lakcímkártya) to any Kormányablak.

To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.

If you get healthcare in Hungary through the S1 form, you must contact the Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 (0)191 218 1999 to make sure your S1 is cancelled at the right time.

Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax, access to services and bringing family members.

Disclaimer

Please note that this information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Hungarian authorities. The ForeignForeign, and Commonwealth & Development Office will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.