VISA
Since 21 December 2007, Hungary has been a member of the Schengen Area, and applies the Schengen legislation in full.
(At present, 26 states, 22 of the 28 member states of the European Union, as well as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland are part of the Schengen Area.
Significant changes subsequent to Hungary’s Schengen membership are:
- visas and residence permits issued by one of the Schengen States are valid for Hungary too,
- visas issued by Hungarian representations abroad and residence permits issued by Hungarian national authorities are also valid for the entire Schengen Area.
The visa sticker, designed with the same appearance for all Schengen States, bears the words “valid for Schengen States”. The Schengen visa and entry regulations are only applicable for a stay not exceeding 90 days within a 180 days period. Rules relating to stays exceeding 90 days are laid down in the national law of the member states concerned.
HOW TO APPLY
Visa requirements may vary based on your period of stay and citizenship. If you are an EEA citizen, you have to apply for a registration card, and if you are a non-EEA citizen, you will have to apply for a residence permit.
Are you a citizen of the Europen Economic Area?
EEA CITIZENS
European Economic Area (EU, Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein) and Switzerland citizens
If your stay does not exceed 90 days
Citizens of the EEA (EU + Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland may enter the territory of the Republic of Hungary with a valid travel document or personal identification document and have the right of residence not exceeding three months from the date of entry.
If your stay exceeds 90 days you will need a “registration certificate”
the following documents are required:
- your valid passport or official ID;
- wholly and legibly completed, signed application form: http://www.bevandorlas.hu/ujpdf/angol/62.pdf
- health insurance card (E111 card) or other insurance certificate
- a tenancy contract of the apartment OR certificate about your accommodation in a dormitory (check out our housing guide)
- a certificate about your financial assets for the period of your stay in Hungary by recent bank account statement, OR certificate of your scholarship or any other resources OR a declaration that you have enough money for the duration of your stay
- fee stamps worth 1,000 HUF (available at any post office, “illetékbélyeg” in Hungarian – check out our “Important Places” guide).
- Hungarian student registration certificate from the ERASMUS Office (please ask for it)
- Third country nationals (NON- EU, Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Switzerland)
NON-EEA CITIZENS
Third country nationals (NON-EU, Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Switzerland)
1. If you do not need a visa to enter to schengen states
1-2 weeks after your arrival in Hungary you must apply for a “residence permit” at the Office of Immigration and Nationality.
2. If you need a visa to enter schengen states:
In order to be able to enter Hungary, you need to apply for a residence permit and a visa at the same time. In case of positive decision, you get a visa which entitles you to enter to the territory of schengen states. After your arrival in Hungary you must go to the Office of Immigration and Nationality (more info by clicking here) to pick up your “residence permit”.
The following documents are required from all third country nationals:
- your valid passport
- 1 face colour photo (without glasses or hat)
- wholly and legibly completed, signed application form
- certificate of health insurance (which covers daily hospital charges)
- tenancy contract of the apartment PLUS ownership certificate from the Land Office (tulajdoni lap az illetékes Földhivatalból) PLUS accommodation reporting form which must be signed by the owner of the apartment duplex printing! (szálláshely bejelentő lap, kétoldalasra nyomtatva!) OR a certificate about your accommodation in a dormitory- issued by the dormitory
- a certificate about your financial assets for the period of your stay in Hungary by recent bank account statement OR certificate of your scholarship or any other resources OR a letter from your family stating that they cover your costs.
- fee stamps worth 18,000 HUF (available at any post office, “illetékbélyeg” in Hungarian – click here to know where to go).
- student registration certificate in Hungarian from the ERASMUS Office (please ask for it)