Living in Hungary

Coronavirus

You should follow the advice of the Hungarian Government and your local authority. You can also read our Hungary travel advice for our latest guidance.

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.

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

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Passports from 1 January 2021

Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip.

From You1 canJanuary apply2021, foryou or renew your British passport from Hungary.

You must have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland). This requirement does not apply if you are entering or transiting to Hungary, and you are in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement.

If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.

You will need to Renewrenew your passport before bookingtravelling your travel if you do not have enough time left on your passport.

As a non-EEA national, different border checks will apply when travelling to other EU or Schengen area countries. You may need to show a return or onward ticket and that you have enough money for your stay. You may also have to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing. YouYour passport may alsobe needstamped tofor showvisits ato returnthese or onward ticket.countries.

Entry requirements

YouFrom can1 January 2021, you will be able to travel to other Schengen area countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa for purposes such as tourism.

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To anystay 180-dayfor periodlonger, to work or study, or for business travel, you mustwill need to meet the entry requirements set out by the country to which you are travellingtravelling. to. This could mean applying for a visa or work permit. You may also need to get a visa if your visit would take you over the 90 days in 180 days limit.

Periods of timestay authorised byunder a visa or permit will not count towardsagainst yourthe 90-day visa-free limit. Travel to the UK and Ireland will not change.

Different rules will apply to EU countries that are not part of the Schengen Area. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.

Driving in Hungary

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Driving

Holders of UK driving licences who are resident in Hungary

You canmay use yourtheir UK licence for a period of one year from the date youtheir moveresidence toin Hungary.Hungary began. After one year, youthey mustshould exchange ittheir UK licence for a Hungarianlocal driving licence. YouThere dois notno haverequirement to takeretake aany drivingexams testduring orthis examprocess, toboth exchangefor yourEU licence.and non-EU citizens.

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

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 in the UK with a Hungarian licence

Healthcare

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Healthcare

You must be registered for healthcare as a resident in HungaryHungary, and holdif anecessary, TAJhealthcare card. You can apply for a TAJ card at your local Government Office (Kormányablak).insurance.

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.

The Hungarian government has committed to protecting the current rights of UK nationals. Find more information on the Hungarian government’s dedicated website.

Read our guidance on healthcare in Hungary and make sure you’re correctly registered.

If your UK employer has sent you to Hungary temporarily, your access to healthcare is different. Find out how to access healthcare as a posted worker.

State healthcare: S1

If you have a registered S1 form and wereare living in Hungary before 1the Januaryend 2021,of 2020, your rights to access healthcare will stay the same from 1 January 2021 if you’re either:

• receiving a UK State Pension
• receiving some other ‘exportable benefits’
• a frontier worker who lives in Hungary and commutes to work in the UK

Read our guidance on using an S1 form in Hungary to ensure you’re correctly registered for healthcare.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

If you are resident in Hungary, you must not use your UK-issued EHIC for healthcare in Hungary.

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• If you’re a UK student in Hungary

• a UKor Statehave Pensioner with a registered S1
• a frontieryou workermay withbe eligible for a registerednew S1

UK-issued EHIC. This EHIC will remain valid from 1 January 2021. Apply now for a new UK EHIC.

An EHIC is not a replacement for comprehensive travel insurance.

For more information read our guidance on healthcare when travelling in Europe and advice on foreign travel insurance.

You should also read guidance on:

• finding an English-speaking doctor in Hungary
• checking your prescriptions are legal in Hungary

Working in Hungary

IfRead youour wereguidance legallyon residentworking in Hungaryan beforeEU 1 January 2021, you have the right to work, as long as you remain legally resident.country.

You may need to apply for a UK police certificate.

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Frontier workers

If you live in Hungary and werecommute regularly commuting to work in anotheran EU or EFTA country, beforefrom 1 January 2021 you may need a permit to prove that you are a frontier worker. You must also apply for the new residency document in Hungary.

IfWe youwill liveupdate inthis the UK or another EU or EFTA country and regularly commuted to work in Hungary before 1 January 2021 you need a permit. You must apply for the permit by 31 March 2021.

Read the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing guidance forwhen UKmore nationals, which includes information onis the frontier worker permit.available.

Education and professional qualifications

YouIf willyou beare eligibleresident forin broadlyHungary theon sameor supportbefore as31 HungarianDecember nationals,2020, asyour longright asto youstudy were legally resident in Hungary beforewill 1stay Januarythe 2021.same, Youas mustlong applyas foryou aremain residenceresident document in Hungary.

Read ourthe guidance on:

• on continuing your studies in the EU
• healthcareEuropean for students in HungaryUnion.

Moving

Professional to Hungary to studyqualifications

If you arehave planningalready tobeen studyrecognised inby Hungary,an makeEU surecountry youas meetholding allvalid visaprofessional requirementsqualifications, beforethis youwill arrive.remain Contactvalid theafter relevant31 HigherJanuary Education provider in Hungary to check what fees you may have to pay.2020.

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Professional qualifications

You may need to get your professional qualificationqualifications recognisedrecognised, if you wantcan tosubmit workan inapplication aunder professionthe thatcurrent isrules regulateduntil in31 Hungary.December When doing this, you will be subject to the third country regulations.2020.

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

If your qualification was officially recognised by the relevant regulator in Hungary before 1 January 2021, make sure you understand the terms of your recognition decision by checking with that regulator.

Money and tax

The UK has a double 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.

National Insurance

Find out if you needcan to pay National Insurance while abroad in theorder UKto orprotect socialyour securityState contributionsPension inand Hungary.entitlement to other benefits and allowances.

Banking

WhetherIf UKyou banksare canemployed provideor servicesself-employed in the EU or EEA and you have a UK-issued A1/E101 form, you will remain subject to customersUK legislation until the end date on the form.

Banking

Most people living in theEurope EEAshould isnot asee matterany ofchange localto lawtheir andbanking regulation.after 31 December 2020. Your bank or finance provider should contact you if they need to make any changes to your product or the way they provide it. If you have any concerns about whether you might be affected, contact your provider or seek independent financial advice.

Read the Money and Pension Service guidance on banking, insurance and financial services changes for more information on cross-border banking.

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.

Pensions

Read our guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Hungary.

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

Read the Money and Pension Service guidance on pension and retirement changes for more information on cross-border pensions.

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.

Benefits

Pensions after 31 December 2020

ReadThere ourwill guidancebe no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on entitlementclaiming the UK State Pension 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 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 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 31 December 2020.

If you are considering moving to Hungary on or after 1 January 2021 and you are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, the rules depend on negotiations with the EU and may change. Check our guidance on benefits and pensions in the EU.

You whilecan youcontinue areto livingreceive your UK State Pension if you live in Hungary.the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you can still claim your UK State Pension.

Benefits

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

CheckYou 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 canmight claimbe able to get while you’re abroad and how to claim them.
  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 31 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 31 December 2020.

If you are considering moving to Hungary on or after 1 January 2021 and you are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, the rules depend on negotiations with the EU and may change. Check our guidance on benefits and pensions in the EU.

Voting

If you are permanent resident in Hungary before the transition period ends on 31 December 2020 you can vote in local municipal elections.

You cannot vote in European Parliament elections.

You may be able to vote in some UK 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

IfCurrent you have a pet passport issued by Hungary or another EU member state, you can use it to travel withrules yourwill petstay tothe Greatsame Britainuntil and31 elsewhereDecember in the EU.2020.

AIf GB-issuedyou’re EUtravelling petwith passportyour ispet not valid for travel to the EUfirst ortime Northernyou Ireland.must Youvisit should speak to your vet before you travel to get thea necessary pet travel documents and ensure you’re compliant with the EU Pet Travel Regulations.passport.

Read guidance on:

• on bringing your pet to GB
• travelling with your pet in the EUUK.
• travelling to Northern Ireland with your pet

Check the rules of the country you’re travelling to for any additional restrictions or requirements before you travel.

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 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.