Hungary

Am I eligible to apply for an EU Blue Card?

To apply for an EU Blue Card, the applicant must:

• have a valid work contract or binding job offer for highly qualified employment with a duration of at least 1 year;
• meet the minimum salary threshold in the Member State concerned (see below);
• for regulated professions: present documents proving that the national legal requirements are met;
• for unregulated professions: present documents proving that the relevant higher professional qualifications are met (for more information about higher professional qualifications, see the FAQ section);
• present a valid travel document, an application for a visa or a visa (if necessary), and a valid residence permit or a national long-term visa (if appropriate);
• present a proof of sickness insurance (or a proof of having applied for it).

In addition, the applicant must not pose a threat to public policy in the view of the Member State. S/he may also be required to provide his/her address in that Member State.

How much do I have to earn to qualify for an EU Blue Card?

The gross annual salary resulting from the monthly or annual salary specified in the work contract or binding job offer must be equal to or higher than the relevant salary threshold defined by the Member State (at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in the Member State concerned).

For 2023, Hungary set the minimum salary threshold at: 7 264 800 HUF (or 605 320 HUF per month).

Are there exceptions to the minimum salary requirement?

For professions in sectors where there are many unfilled vacancies, Member States may set a lower minimum salary threshold.

For 2023, Hungary set the lower minimum salary threshold at: 5 811 840 HUF (or 484 320 HUF per month).

The following professions are on the 2019 shortage list for Hungary: general practitioner, pharmacist, specialised pharmacist, optometrist, dietician and nutritionist, physiotherapist, district nurse, ambulance officer, nurse (related to higher education), midwife (female) (related to higher education).

Will EU citizens' applications be prioritised over mine?

Some Member States apply a Labour Market Test (LMT). This is a mechanism that aims to ensure that migrant workers are only admitted after employers have unsuccessfully searched for national workers, EU citizens (in EU Member States, this also means EEA workers) or legally residing third-country nationals with access to the labour market according to national legislation (for more information see the FAQ section).

Hungary applies a labour market test.

How long will my EU Blue Card be valid?

The standard period of validity in Hungary is: N/A.

Specific rules: in Hungary, the EU Blue Card is issued for a period of at least one year and up to four years. If the employment contract is of shorter duration, the EU Blue Card shall be issued for the duration of the contract plus three months. The EU Blue Card may be renewed for four years at a time.

How much will it cost?

Initial EU Blue Card fee: 38 000 HUF (for national applications) and 26 000 HUF (for national applications via the electronic information system of the Aliens Policing)

Renewal: 35 000 HUF (for national applications) and 23 000 HUF via the electronic information system of the Aliens Policing. Replacement: 20 000 HUF

Fee for express issuance: N/A.

How long will it take to get my EU Blue Card?

National law foresees that the maximum processing time for issuing an EU Blue Card in Hungary is 90 days.

Website of the Hungarian Government

More information on migrating to Hungary

Information