If you intend to study in Hungary for more than three months, you have to obtain a residence permit. In case you need a visa to enter EU territory, an application for a visa entitling you to receive a residence permit can be submitted along with the application for the residence permit.
To come to Hungary as a student, you need to:
- be accepted to an accredited secondary or higher educational institution as a full-time student or to attend a preparatory course organised by a higher educational institution;
- prove appropriate language skills necessary to pursue your studies;
- have a travel document valid for at least the intended period of stay;
- have adequate accommodation;
- have sufficient financial resources and subsistence means;
- have health insurance.
You will need a residence visa for official purposes if you come to Hungary to pursue studies or participate in training within the framework of an international treaty, international cooperation or intergovernmental aid programme.
Where and how to apply | Visa entitling you to a residence permit You have to apply for a visa, which entitles you to receive the residence permit before admission to the country at the embassy or consulate in your country of origin or, in certain cases, in the country of legal residence. Residence permit Upon your arrival, you have to obtain your residence permit for the purpose of pursuing studies at the competent regional directorate of the immigration authority of your place of residence. You can find the competent regional directorate on the website of the immigration authority. Fees The administrative service fee charged for the procedure for issuing a residence permit is EUR 60, payable at the diplomatic mission of Hungary primarily in EUR or other convertible currency, or in exceptional cases in the legal tender of the State where the application is submitted. The administrative service fee charged for the procedure is HUF 18,000 if submitted in Hungary. The fee charged for the extension of a residence permit is HUF 10,000. |
Documents required | You need to:
You cannot be subject to any ground for refusal as set out in the law, e.g. threat to public or national security, being the subject of an expulsion order, entry ban or alert in the Schengen Information System. |
Further requirements | You cannot be subject to an entry ban or an alert in the Schengen Information System for the purposes of refusing entry, nor can your entry and stay threaten public policy, public health or public security in Hungary. |
Duration of validity of permits | The validity period of a residence permit issued for the purpose of study:
The validity period of the residence permit shall be set in consideration of the date of expiry of the passport. However, the validity period of a residence permit issued for the purpose of study may not exceed the validity period of the applicant’s travel document. |
Conditions for renewal | The application for extension of the residence permit shall be submitted in person at the regional directorate of the immigration authority responsible for the place where the place of accommodation is located 30 days before it expires at the latest, with the necessary documents attached. You can find the competent regional directorate on the website of the immigration authority (www.bevandorlas.hu). As of 1 January 2019, natural person clients or their authorised legal representatives may submit an application for a residence permit (issue or extension) electronically via Enter Hungary. |
Appeals | Appeals against decisions of regional offices regarding residence permits can be brought within 8 days of delivery to the immigration authority, or to the Hungarian diplomatic or consular mission where the application was submitted. |
Further information |
| Employment during studies | If you have a residence permit issued on grounds of pursuit of studies, you can work for 24 hours per week during term-time and for a maximum of 90 days or 66 working days per year beyond term time. In such circumstances, you do not need a work permit for the period of your full-time studies. |
Stay and employment after studies | After finishing your studies, you can apply for a Residence Permit for the Purpose of Job-searching or Entrepreneurship, if you are in possession of a valid residence permit for the purpose of studies and you are able to prove the completion of your studies, if the employment you are seeking or the business you are in the process of setting up corresponds to your studies completed. More information on Residence Permit for the Purpose of Job-searching or Entrepreneurship |
Change of status | Change of status may be possible depending on the purpose of stay and your personal circumstances. |
Family members | A residence permit for the purpose of family reunification may be issued to a third-country national who is a family member of a third-country national in possession of a residence permit. More on family reunification |
| Long-term residence | As a student, you are not eligible for EC long-term residence. However, half of your legal residence as a student in Hungary can be taken into account when calculating the five-year period necessary when applying for an EC long-term residence status. Non-EU nationals holding an EC residence permit certifying permanent residence status issued by any EU Member State under Council Directive 2003/109/EC are granted, upon request, an interim permanent residence permit when seeking admission into the territory of the Republic of Hungary: a) for the purpose of gainful employment, with the exception of seasonal employment; or b) for the pursuit of studies; or c) for the purpose of vocational training; or d) for other justified reasons. Family members of non-EU nationals holding an EC long-term residence permit certifying permanent residence status granted by any EU Member State under Council Directive 2003/109/EC, apply for an interim permanent residence permit. Family members of non-EU nationals holding an interim permanent residence permit may be issued an interim permanent residence permit if their family relationship pre-existed in the Member State of the European Union where the EC long-term residence permit certifying long-term residence status was issued. National permanent residence permits may be issued to non-EU nationals holding a residence permit or an interim permanent residence permit for establishing residence in the Hungarian territory, if:
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If you have a permit for studies in an EU country you may carry out part of your studies and work (in addition to your studies) in Hungary if you fulfil certain requirements. You may reside and study in Hungary for up to 360 days.
If you are covered by a Union or multilateral programme that comprises mobility measures or by an agreement between two or more higher education institutions, you can apply for a student mobility certificate.
The student mobility notification shall be submitted at the competent regional directorate of the immigration authority, or to the competent consulate officer where your permanent or temporary residence is located or in the country of your nationality, during the validity period of the residence permit issued by the first Member State.
The administrative time limit in proceedings opened for student mobility notification is 15 days. The regional directorate shall rule on the complete application for mobility notification within 30 days.
The validity period of a student mobility certificate is maximum 360 days. The validity period of a mobility certificate is determined so that it will not exceed the validity period of the residence permit issued by the first Member State.
In case of objection of student mobility, the relevant decision may be appealed within 8 days of delivery, submitted to the authority of the first instance, or at the Hungarian diplomatic or consular mission where the application was submitted.
Holding a student mobility certificate in Hungary you are allowed to pursue gainful activity up to 24 hours a week during the term-time (autumn / spring semester); outside the term-time full-time gainful activity is maximised at 90 days or 66 workdays in a year.
You will be entitled to enter the territory of Hungary if you are in possession of the student mobility certificate issued by the immigration authority, or a copy of the notification of your student mobility, or evidence that you carry out part of the studies in the framework of a Union or multilateral programme that comprises mobility measures or an agreement between two or more higher education institutions.