Guidance

Travel to Hungary for work

Check if you need a visa or permit to work in Hungary and how to get one if you do.

This guide is for British citizens travelling for business or other work purposes. It explains what employers, employees, or the self-employed need to do if they need a visa or permit.

This information is provided as a guide only. You must always check the exact application process and document requirements with Hungary’s embassy or immigration authorities.

Entry requirements

If you’re going to Hungary to work (or any other EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein) you must make sure you meet passport and other travel requirements.

Hungary is in the Schengen area. If you’re travelling for business for up to 90 days in a 180-day period, you may be able to do some work-relatedbusiness-related thingsactivities without needing a visa or work permit, such as attend business meetings. TheseIt aredoes usuallynot coveredmatter byhow many countries you visit in the Schengen visaarea. waiver.Your total stay must be no more than 90 days in every 180 days. The 180-day period keeps ‘rolling’.

If you’re goingstaying for longer, or for other types of workwork, you may need a visa,visa work permit or residence permit.

Hungary’sThe Hungarian authorities are responsible for setting and enforcing entry rules. They decide which activities need a visa or permit, or which may be exempt.

You must always check with Hungary’s governmentembassy or immigration authorities before you travel, to make sure you meet their legal requirements.

If you’re working in more than one countrycountry, you’llyou need to check the entry rules of each country.

If you need a passport, visa or permit, you should apply well in advance of travel.

Visa and permit documents

This guide explains the general application process for some of the visa or permit types available in Hungary. It includes a checklist of documents that you’ll usually need to include when applying.

It may not cover all scenarios so you must always check the exact application process and document requirements with Hungary’s embassy or immigration authorities.authorities.

You must also check what format the documents should be presented in, including if they must be:

Countries often use the terms visa, work permit and residence permit differently. For example, some may refer to a work permit as a visa.

This guide uses the same terms used in Hungary, so you know which ones to use when speaking to Hungary’s authorities.

Check if you need a visa or permit

You don’tdo not need a visa or permit if you’re travelling to Hungary for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for:for specific business-related activities. These activities can include:

  • attending business and sale meetings
  • buying goods for sale outside the country
  • running or attending job interviews
  • meeting with recruitment agencies and talent
  • acquisition trips, such as buying business operations, carrying out due diligence prior to purchase and pre-closing activities)
  • attending court as a witness
  • attending a trade fair, seminar convention or workshop
  • attending board meetings
  • team building activities
  • meeting colleagues, contractors or sellers
  • meeting clients or customers (including entertainment like eating at a restaurant)
  • fact-finding visits
  • touring a company facility
  • negotiating, signing and executing deals or contracts
  • attending, speaking or presenting at a conference (paid or unpaid)

Or for the following types of training, as long as it’s for the same company or group:

  • classroom-based training
  • on-the-job training
  • shadowing someone’s job

These activities are covered by the Schengen visa waiver.

Border checks

At the border, you may be asked to show:

  • proof of return travel, such as plane or train tickets
  • health insurance that covers your entire stay
  • proof of accommodation for your entire stay
  • enough money for the duration of your trip
  • an invitation letter that explains your trip

Check Hungary’s exemptions

Certain types of work and activities do not require a visa or permit because they’re exempt.

All countries have their own exemptions. What may be exempt in one country may not be in another. You should always check with the country’s authorities.

The following people may not require a visa or permit in Hungary:

  • diplomats
  • professional sportsmen
  • internationally recognised artists
  • researchers carrying out research for accredited research bodies

After-sales technical work

You may not need a visa or permit if you’re providing a guaranteed service under the terms of a private contract between a UK and Hungarian business. This could be:

  • carrying out repairs under warranty
  • ensuring full working condition (commissioning)
  • maintenance work

This only applies in exceptional circumstances. Your stay must not be more than 15 business days in a 30-day period. The 15-day limit includes any days spent in Hungary not related to this work.

EU intra-company transfer permit holders

If you have an EU intra-company transfer (EU ICT) from another country you can work in Hungary for 90 days in a 180-day period within the same group of companies. This applies to all work activities as long as you’re not on Hungary’s payroll.

All these activities are covered by the Schengen visa waiver.

Your employer has to submit a notification to the Hungarian authoritiesimmigration office online within 5 days of you starting work in Hungary.

Show proof of exemption

You need to be able to show proof that you’re exempt to the authorities on request. This could be:

  • an assignment letter
  • employment confirmation
  • a contract
  • proof of required qualifications, such as diploma and professional certificates

Further checks

If you’re not sure if you need a visa or permit to travel you can get advice from the Hungarian embassy.

Applying for a visa or permit

This guide outlines the steps required for each visa or permit to help you prepare, but you’ll need to check the exact rules and processes with the Hungarian embassy.

Taking your family

For the short-term permits listed in this guide your family won’t be able to get dependant visas. They may be able to join you for up to 90 days under the Schengen visa waiver rules.

There may be different rules for taking your family if you have a long-term permit. Find out about family reunification.

Short-term and long-term permits

You need a short-term work permit if you’re in Hungary for up to 90 days because you’re:

You need to apply for a long-stay work permit if you’re in Hungary for more than 90 days because you’re:

Long-term permits are valid for up2 to 34 years depending on which one you need.

You’re issued with a long-stay visa first and you collect your residence permit once you get to Hungary.

Transferring short term to a Hungarian branch, or working on a Hungarian contract

You need a short-term work permit if you’re in Hungary for up to 90 days in a 180-day period because you’re:

  • transferring to the Hungarian branch of a UK-based company
  • working for a company in Hungary on a Hungarian contract

To qualify you must:

  • have the relevant professional and educational experience
  • stay on your UK contract and UK payroll if you’re transferring branch
  • have a Hungarian contract for up to 90 days and be on Hungary’s payroll if you’re working for a company in Hungary

A short-term work permit can take 2 to 6 weeks to get. It’s valid for up to 90 days and you can’t extend it.

How it works

You need to check with Hungary’s embassy or consulate on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. If you’re working on a Hungarian contract your employer carries out a labour market test. They have to advertise the position with the Hungarian labour office for 15 to 60 days (unless the role is exempt).

  2. Your employer submits your permit application, annex 2 (melléklet a 445/2013. (XI. 28.) Korm. rendelethez) to the labour office.

Application documents

Hungary’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

  • completed permit application form
  • UK passport, valid for at least 6 months
  • original degree or other qualification certificate (with a Hungarian translation attested by OFFI)
  • signed employment contract with your UK employer
  • signed assignment agreement with your employer
  • organisational charts or documents showing the relationship between your UK employer and host company in Hungary
  • certificate of health insurance coverage in Hungary
  • proof you have enough money until you receive your first pay
  • proof of accommodation

Providing short-term services to a client in Hungary

You need to apply for a short-term work permit to provide services if your UK employer has a contract or work order with a Hungarian company.

To qualify you must:

  • have relevant professional and educational experience
  • keep your UK employment contract
  • stay on UK payroll

This permit can take 2 to 6 weeks to get. It’s valid for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.

How it works

You need to check with Hungary’s embassy or consulate on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

Your employer submits your permit application, annex 2 (melléklet a 445/2013. (XI. 28.) Korm. rendelethez) to the labour office.

Application documents

Hungary’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

  • completed permit application form
  • UK passport, valid for at least 6 months
  • degree or qualification certificate
  • signed employment contract with your UK employer
  • contract or work order between your UK employer and the Hungarian company
  • assignment letter from your UK employer
  • social security cover certificate from your UK employer (certificate of coverage)

Transferring long term to a Hungarian branch of a UK-based company

You need a intra-corporate transfer residence permit (ICT) if your UK-based company moves you to a branch in Hungary for:

  • up to 3 years
  • 1 year if you’re a trainee

To qualify you must:

  • be a manager, specialist or trainee
  • have worked for the UK company for at least 3 months
  • have relevant education and professional experience
  • keep your UK employment contract
  • stay on UK payroll

An ICT takes 60 to 70 days to get. You can’t extend it beyond 3 years, or 1 year if you’re a trainee.

If you have a family,family they can join you with this permit type. Find out how to apply for a family reunification residence permit.

How it works

You need to check with Hungary’s embassy or consulate on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. You submit the residence permit and appendix 15 forms and your biometrics to the Hungarian consulate or embassy.

  2. You’re issued with a long-stay visa.

  3. Your employer notifies the Hungarian immigration office byonline email or post within 5 days of you starting work.

  4. You collect your residence permit when you get to Hungary.

Application documents

Hungary’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

  • completed permit application forms
  • UK passport, valid for 6 at least months
  • degree or qualification certificate (with a Hungarian translation attested by OFFI)
  • signed employment contract with your UK employer
  • signed assignment agreement with your employer
  • organisational charts or documents showing the relationship between your UK employer and host company in Hungary
  • certificate of health insurance cover for Hungary
  • proof you have enough money until you receive your first pay
  • proof of accommodation in Hungary

Working for a Hungarian company on a Hungarian contract

You need one of these permits if you’ve been offered a job with a Hungarian company:

Combined work and residence permit

To qualify for a combined work permit and residence permit you must:

A combined work and residence permit takes 70 days to get. It’s valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it. It can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.

If you have a family,family they can join you with this permit type. Find out how to apply for a family reunification residence permit.

How it works

You need to check with Hungary’s embassy or consulate on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. Your employer carries out a labour market test by advertising the position with the Hungarian labour office for 15 to 60 days, unless the role is exempt (section 3).

  2. You submit the residence permit and appendix 10 forms and your biometrics to the Hungarian consulate or embassy.

  3. You’re issued with a long-stay visa.

  4. Your employer notifies the Hungarian immigration office byonline email or post within 5 days of you starting work.

  5. You collect your permit when you get to Hungary.

Application documents

Hungary’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

  • completed permit application forms
  • UK passport for you and any dependants, valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave
  • degree or qualification certificate (with a Hungarian translation attested by OFFI)
  • signed employment contract with your Hungarian employer
  • detailed job description
  • proof of accommodation in Hungary
  • proof you have enough money to cover your expenses until you receive your first pay
  • legalised or apostilled marriage certificate, if married
  • (legalised orwith apostilledan apostille and a Hungarian translation attested by OFFI)
  • birth certificates for any children (legalised with an apostille and a Hungarian translation attested by OFFI)
  • certificate of health insurance cover for Hungary, for you and any dependants

EU Blue Card

To qualify for an EU Blue Card you must:

  • have an offer of employment with a company in Hungary for at least 1 year
  • have a 3-year university-level degree or a masters
  • have at least 5 years’ relevant work experience
  • be on Hungary’s payroll
  • earn at least 1.5 times the gross salary of a local employee working in the same position

An EU Blue Card takes 70 days to get. It’s valid for up to 4 years and you can extend it. It can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.

If you have a family,family they can join you with this permit type. Find out how to apply for a family reunification residence permit.

How it works

You need to check with Hungary’s embassy or consulate on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. Your employer carries out a labour market test by advertising the position with the Hungarian labour office for 15 to 60 days unless the role is exempt (section 3).

  2. You submit the residence permit and appendix 3 forms and your biometrics to the Hungarian consulate or embassy.

  3. You’re issued with a long-stay visa.

  4. Your employer notifies the Hungarian immigration office byonline email or post within 5 days of you starting work.

  5. You collect your residence permit when you get to Hungary.

Application documents

Hungary’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

  • completed permit application forms
  • UK passport for you and any dependants, valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave
  • original degree or other qualification certificate (with a Hungarian translation attested by OFFI)
  • signed employment contract with your Hungarian employer
  • detailed job description
  • proof of accommodation in Hungary
  • proof that you have enough money to cover expenses until you receive your first pay
  • legalised or apostilled marriage certificate, if married
  • (legalised orwith apostilledan apostille and a Hungarian translation attested by OFFI)
  • birth certificates for any children (legalised with an apostille and a Hungarian translation attested by OFFI)
  • certificate of health insurance cover for Hungary, for you and any dependants

Self-employed work

You need to apply for a residence permit for the pursuit of gainful activity if you want to carry out self-employed work.

You qualify if you work as:

  • a self-employed person
  • the executive officer of a for-profit business, or other legal organisation

This residence permit takes up to 70 days to get. It’s valid for up to 3 years and you can extend it. It can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.

If you have a family,family they can join you with this permit type. Find out how to apply for a family reunification residence permit.

How it works

You need to check with Hungary’s embassy or consulate on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

You:

  • submit the residence permit and appendix 7 forms and your biometrics to the Hungarian consulate or embassy
  • are issued with a long-stay visa
  • notify the Hungarian immigration office byonline email or post within 5 days of you starting workwork.
  • you collect your residence permit when you get to Hungary

Application documents

Hungary’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

  • completed permit application forms
  • UK passport, valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave
  • proof of purpose of stay such as a business plan or private entrepreneur’s licence
  • proof of accommodation in Hungary
  • proof you have enough money, such as an income certificate issued by the tax authority (NAV) for the previous year
  • comprehensive health insurance cover for Hungary
  • private entrepreneur license or private entrepreneur register number
  • business plan of economic activities
  • small-scale agricultural producer’s licence, if relevant
  • a personal service contract, contract for professional services, or use contract (property contract)

Research work

To qualify for a long-term permit for research work you must:

  • have a PhD, or a higher education qualification which gives you access to a doctoral programme
  • intend to carry out a research project under a hosting agreement with an accredited research organisation
  • have written confirmation from the research organisation that they will cover the costs of your return travel to the UK if you’re expelled from Hungary

It takes up to 8 weeks to get. It’s valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it. It can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.

If you have a family,family they can join you with this permit type. Find out how to apply for a family reunification residence permit.

How it works

You need to check with Hungary’s embassy or consulate on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. Your employer carries out a labour market test by advertising the position with the Hungarian labour office for 15 to 60 days unless the role is exempt (section 3).

  2. You submit the residence permit and appendix 8 forms and your biometrics to the Hungarian consulate or embassy.

  3. You’re issued with a long-stay visa.

  4. Your employer notifies the Hungarian immigration office byonline email or post within 5 days of you starting work.

  5. You collect your residence permit when you get to Hungary.

Application documents

Hungary’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

  • completed permit application forms
  • UK passport for you and any dependants, valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave
  • signed employment contract with your Hungarian employer
  • proof of accommodation in Hungary
  • proof you have enough money until you receive your first pay
  • certificate of health insurance cover for you and any dependants

Hungarian government guidance

Read official Hungarian government information on visas, work permits and residence.

Check for travel changes

European governments may update or change their rules without notice.

You should always check general travel advice for Hungary, for updates on issues such as safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings before travelling, or planning to travel.

Published 21 May 2021
Last updated 830 MarchNovember 2022 + show all updates
  1. Degree certificates, marriage certificates and birth certificates need to be translated and attested by OFFI. The information provided is up-to-date as of 23 September 2022.

  2. Content reviewed. No changes made. The information provided is up-to-date as of 30 November 2021.

  3. First published.