Immigration Law at Hungary
Immigration law in Hungary is governed primarily by the Act II of 2007 on the Admission and Right of Residence of Third-Country Nationals, along with related regulations. Hungary is part of the Schengen Area and the European Union, so its immigration framework reflects both EU laws and national legislation.
Key Areas of Hungarian Immigration Law:
1. Types of Residency
Temporary Residence Permit – for stays longer than 90 days, but not permanent.
National Residence Permit – for longer-term stays, includes work and family reasons.
Permanent Residence Permit – typically available after 3-5 years of lawful residence.
EU Long-Term Residence Permit – for non-EU nationals who have lived in Hungary continuously for 5+ years.
2. Visa Categories
Short-Stay (Schengen) Visa – up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Long-Stay Visa (D-Visa) – for work, study, family reunification, or investment.
Categories include:
Employment Visa
Student Visa
Family Reunification Visa
Start-up or Business Residence Permit
Guest Worker Visa (recently expanded to address labor shortages)
3. Work and Employment
Foreign nationals (outside the EU/EEA) need both:
Work Permit
Residence Permit for the Purpose of Employment
Some simplified processes exist for in-demand professions and international companies.
4. Citizenship
Acquired by:
Birth (if at least one Hungarian parent)
Naturalization (usually after 8 years of continuous residence)
Simplified naturalization for ethnic Hungarians abroad
5. Asylum and Protection
Hungary applies EU asylum regulations, but its asylum system has faced criticism.
The right to seek asylum is limited and often processed under strict border control policies.
6. Recent Legal Trends
Immigration laws have become more restrictive in recent years, especially for asylum seekers.
However, economic migration has increased, especially through guest worker programs.
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