Hungary White Card: Requirements and How to Apply

The Hungary White Card (Fehér Kártya) is a digital nomad residence permit for non-EU remote workers earning income from outside Hungary. The official Immigration Office page sets a net monthly income of EUR 3,000, reached or exceeded in the 6 months before entry, and the permit lasts up to 1 year, with one extension of up to another year.

Restrictions are real: no work for Hungarian employers, no family reunification on the permit, and no switching to another Hungarian residence permit. Check the official White Card page before you apply, because rules and fees change. For the wider picture, see our Moving to Hungary guide and our Budapest city guide.

Who qualifies

The White Card is for non-EU nationals who work remotely for an employer or clients outside Hungary. You may not work for a Hungarian employer or on behalf of one, and you may not hold an ownership stake in a Hungarian business. Doing either risks revocation of the permit.

Income requirement

You must show net monthly income of EUR 3,000 reached or exceeded in each of the 6 months before entry, and you must maintain it for the whole stay, according to the Immigration Office (the page, in Hungarian, says "nettó", meaning net).

Documents you'll need

• A completed application form and a passport photo
• A passport valid at least 3 months beyond the authorised stay
• Proof of the purpose of your stay and of your income
• Health insurance covering the full range of healthcare, through social insurance, an international agreement, or proof that your income covers care
• Proof of accommodation, such as a lease, a rent-free use agreement, a property deed or a confirmed paid booking
• Proof of travel arrangements
• Fingerprints (for applicants over 6), taken during submission

Step-by-step application

1. Confirm your income history and arrange health insurance.
2. Abroad, submit at a Hungarian consulate in your country of citizenship or habitual residence; a D visa is included.
3. Already in Hungary and visa-exempt? Submit through the Enter Hungary portal or at the regional directorate for your accommodation.
4. Provide biometrics. For online applications, complete the photo and fingerprint steps within 15 days of confirmation.
5. Wait for the decision, which comes within 30 days of submission.
6. Enter Hungary within 3 months of approval, or the permit lapses.

Extensions are filed only in Hungary through Enter Hungary, no earlier than 90 days and no later than 30 days before expiry, and require at least 90 days spent in Hungary in any 180-day period.

Costs and timeline

The official procedure takes 21 days, excluding missing documents and certain steps, with a decision within 30 days and an appeal window of 8 days.

The White Card page lists no specific fee. The Immigration Office fee page lists general residence-permit fees: EUR 110 if applied abroad (including the visa), HUF 26,000 (about €71) online in Hungary, and HUF 39,000 (about €106) in person at the 2026-10-07 ECB rate. Confirm the exact amount for your case.

Taxes once you're resident

Hungary taxes tax residents at a flat 15% on most income. Whether you become a Hungarian tax resident depends on your permanent home, center of vital interests and days spent, and 183 days is a common marker.

The IRS lists the US-Hungary income tax treaty as terminated, although a social security totalization agreement is in force. US citizens remain subject to US tax on worldwide income. This is not tax advice, so ask a cross-border tax professional.

Family members

The permit does not support family reunification. The only exception on the official page is a child born in Hungary during the permit's validity, who can receive a family permit after the birth is reported. Spouses and children otherwise need their own route.

Alternatives

Investors can look at the Hungary Guest Investor Program. Other options are the Estonia Digital Nomad Visa, the Czech zivno visa and the Poland work permit.