Two cards for indefinite residence
Three years or five? The EU residence card, next to the national one
Hungary issues two cards for indefinite residence, and they are close cousins. One is the national residence card, the other the EU residence card. The second is Hungary’s version of the Union-wide long-term resident status, and the conditions to get it are very similar to the national one. In Hungarian it is the EU tartózkodási kártya.
What differs is how long you have to live here, what your student years are worth towards that time, how much of an absence each clock forgives, whether family shortens the wait, which permits are shut out of each card, what the card is worth once you leave Hungary, and how long you may be away once you hold it.
How long do you have to live in Hungary before applying?
National residence card
Three years of lawful, unbroken residence, or sooner on a family route.
EU residence card
Five years of lawful, unbroken residence in Hungary. Holders of an EU Blue Card can count time elsewhere in the Union: two years in Hungary within five years across the member states.
Does time spent studying count towards the years?
National residence card
Yes, in full. Years spent here as a student count like any other, though months held on a White Card do not count at all.
EU residence card
Only half. Time in higher education or vocational training counts towards the five years at half its length.
How long can you be away while the clock runs?
National residence card
You can be away for up to 4 months at a stretch, and up to 270 days in total across the three years.
EU residence card
You can be away for up to 6 months at a stretch and 300 days in total across the five years. With the EU Blue Card the allowance is 12 months at a time and 18 months in total.
Does having a family shorten the time you have to live here?
National residence card
Yes, being married or being the child of a citizen matters.
EU residence card
No. It is a time-served card, and only the time you live here matters.
Which permits are shut out?
National residence card
Several permits are shut out; use Moira, the Permanent Residency Assistant, to find out about yours.
EU residence card
More permit types accepted, only the study in higher education or vocational training, seasonal employment, and voluntary service are shut out.
What is it worth outside Hungary?
National residence card
A Hungarian status. It says nothing about the rest of the EU.
EU residence card
It is recognised by the other member states.
How long can you be away once you hold it?
National residence card
It will be withdrawn if you leave Hungary for more than six months.
EU residence card
It will be withdrawn if you leave the EU for more than twelve months, if you are absent from Hungary for more than six years, or if you get long-term resident status in another member state.
Which permits are yours, and which card do they allow?
The eligibility check decides both cards from one set of answers, on the sections of Act XC of 2023 themselves. It takes a few questions and it is free.
Check which card is yoursIf both are open to you, the choice is a question of speed. You can apply for the national one two years sooner; but the EU card is the one that also means something in Vienna or Berlin. If you are certain of staying in Hungary you lose little by taking the national card at three years, but if you may move on later waiting for the EU card may be worth it.
Identical on both cards
The documents you attach
The Hungarian Cultural Knowledge exam
The submission procedure
Biometrics within 15 days
A fee of 26,000 forints
70 days for the decision
Valid up to ten years, renewed ten at a time
15 days to appeal
This is general guidance, not legal advice, and your own case may differ. Always check the official page before you act.
Source: The EU residence card — official page
Reviewed by the SmartMigrate team on .