Articles on: Europe

Hungary — White Card (Digital Nomad Visa): Everything You Need to Live and Work Remotely in Hungary

Knowledge Base – QUESTRAVEL

By Víctor Pizarro, Co-founder of QUESTRAVEL

Why Hungary?

Budapest’s café culture, great internet, and central location make Hungary a smart EU base for remote professionals. Since late 2021, Hungary offers a purpose-built residence permit for digital nomads called the White Card.


What is the White Card?

The White Card is a residence permit for third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA/Swiss) who work remotely for an employer outside Hungary or own a profitable company abroad and perform their work from Hungary. Local employment and holding shares in a Hungarian company are not allowed under this status. (oif.gov.hu)

Validity: 1 year, extendable once for 1 additional year (maximum 2 years total). (oif.gov.hu)


Who manages it and where to apply

  • Authority: National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (NDGAP).
  • How to apply:
    • Outside Hungary: at a Hungarian embassy/consulate.
    • Inside Hungary (if visa-free and legally present): online via Enter Hungary or in person at a regional NDGAP office.

Official fact sheet (with steps and forms): White Card – residency for digital nomads.

Apply online: Enter Hungary. (oif.gov.hu)

Links:


The White Card sits within Hungary’s immigration framework for third-country nationals (Act II of 2007) and NDGAP’s implementing guidance for the White Card category. (RIMAP)


Duration & Extensions

  • Initial permit: up to 1 year.
  • Extension: once for another 1 year (must apply in Hungary via Enter Hungary; meet stay and validity conditions). (oif.gov.hu)

Processing time: NDGAP indicates a 21-day administration period once the application is deemed received. (oif.gov.hu)


Key Requirements

You must demonstrate:

  • Remote work outside Hungary (employer letter or proof your foreign company operates and is profitable). (oif.gov.hu)
  • Income: at least €3,000 net per month for the 6 months prior to entry (and maintain it during your stay). Evidence: 6-month bank statements and/or employer/tax certificates. (oif.gov.hu)
  • Accommodation in Hungary (lease, ownership, hosted accommodation, or paid reservation). (oif.gov.hu)
  • Health insurance covering all services in Hungary or proof you can cover costs. (oif.gov.hu)
  • Passport & return/onward travel means. (oif.gov.hu)
Important limitationsNo local gainful activity and no shareholding in a Hungarian company while on a White Card. (oif.gov.hu)Family reunification is not available for White Card holders (with limited exception for a child born in Hungary during validity). (oif.gov.hu)


Step-by-Step Application

  1. Confirm eligibility & gather docs: employer letter (or company proof), 6-month income evidence, insurance, accommodation, passport, photo. (oif.gov.hu)
  2. Apply:
    • Abroad at a Hungarian consulate, or
    • In Hungary (if visa-free & legally present) via Enter Hungary or at a regional NDGAP office. (oif.gov.hu)
  1. Biometrics & fee payment as instructed by NDGAP. (oif.gov.hu)
  2. Decision (indicative 21 days after application is considered received). (oif.gov.hu)
  3. Collect residence document and register accommodation as required. (oif.gov.hu)


Advantages

  • Legal residence in an EU country, centrally located for Schengen travel.
  • Clear, published income threshold and straightforward online channel (Enter Hungary). (oif.gov.hu)
  • Vibrant remote-work scene (especially in Budapest), good cost/value compared with Western Europe. (General context; check lifestyle specifics separately.)


Official Resources (use these)


The QUESTRAVEL take

At QUESTRAVEL, the two most common blockers we fix are:

  1. Income evidence that doesn’t clearly show €3,000 net/month for 6 consecutive months; and
  2. Employer letters that don’t spell out remote work and the foreign nature of the company.

We prepare NDGAP-friendly financial packs and employer/freelance letters, line-up accommodation proofs, and file via Enter Hungary to minimize back-and-forth.

💡 Thinking about Hungary as your EU hub? Book a consult at fromquestravel.com and we’ll map your eligibility, documents, filing route, and timeline end-to-end.

Updated on: 03/11/2025