White Card – Digital Nomad Residence Permit (Fehér Kártya)

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White Card – Digital Nomad Residence Permit (Fehér Kártya)

Work Dependents Allowed Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

21-30 days

Application Fee

110 EUR

Stay Duration

1 year

Renewable

Yes

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Remote Work

Allowed

Apply Now Official Information

Overview

Hungarian residence permit for non-EEA remote workers earning EUR 3,000+ net per month from foreign employers; 1 year, extendable once, no family.

Hungary's White Card (Fehér Kártya), launched in 2022, is a residence permit for non-EEA remote workers with foreign-sourced income. Eligibility requires either a verified foreign employment relationship or ownership of a profitable foreign company, net monthly income of at least EUR 3,000 sustained over the prior six months, health insurance, and accommodation in Hungary.

The permit is valid for one year, extendable once for another year (two-year cap). Fees are EUR 110 at consulates or HUF 26,000 via Enter Hungary, with a 21-day admin window and a 30-day statutory decision deadline. Holders cannot work for Hungarian entities or hold shares in Hungarian companies.

This visa is ideal for established remote workers and foreign-company owners who want a low-cost Schengen base in Budapest for one to two years without seeking permanent residency, Hungarian employment, or family reunification.

Fee Breakdown

Residence permit issuance (consular / abroad)	110 EUR
Residence permit issuance (Enter Hungary platform)	26,000 HUF
Residence permit issuance (in-person in Hungary)	39,000 HUF
Residence permit extension	26,000 HUF

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

1 year

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be a third-country national (non-EEA, not an EEA family member, or stateless).

Must have a verified foreign employment relationship OR own a share in a profitable company outside Hungary.

Must perform work from Hungary using an advanced digital technology solution.

Must NOT pursue any gainful activity in Hungary and must NOT hold a share in a Hungarian company.

Must have monthly net income of at least EUR 3,000 sustained for the 6 months prior to entry, maintained throughout the stay.

Must hold valid health insurance and a valid passport.

Must have accommodation in Hungary.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

none or higher

Min. Income

36,000 EUR/yr

Min. Savings

10,000 EUR

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport (valid at least 3 months beyond intended residence)

Proof of foreign employment relationship OR proof of share/profit in foreign-registered company

Authentic instrument or tax-authority certificate proving regular income or profit

Bank statements covering the previous 6 months showing EUR 3,000+ net monthly

Proof of accommodation in Hungary

Valid health insurance

Valid travel ticket or proof of funds to cover travel costs

Completed application form (paper or Enter Hungary electronic form)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Schengen-area residence based on remote work, no Hungarian sponsor required.
Low EUR 110 consular fee or HUF 26,000 via Enter Hungary.
Fast: 21-day procedural admin / 30-day statutory decision deadline.
Recognises both foreign employees and owners of foreign companies.
No language test, no minimum education, no minimum experience.
Renewable once for a second year (up to 2 years total).

Worth Knowing

Capped at 2 years total; not a route to permanent residency or citizenship.
Cannot be converted to any other Hungarian residence permit during or after validity.
Requires sustained EUR 3,000+ net monthly income, evidenced for the prior 6 months.
Type D entry visa is single-entry and only valid for 3 months to collect the permit.
Must continue to reside at least 90 days in any 180-day period to qualify for renewal.
Family members cannot join under the White Card (no family reunification permit).
Holder cannot work for Hungarian companies or hold shares in any Hungarian company.
Not open to EEA nationals or family members of EEA nationals.

Application Process

Gather proof of foreign employment or foreign company ownership, 6 months of bank statements showing EUR 3,000+ net monthly income, valid passport, health insurance, and accommodation in Hungary.

If abroad: submit the residence permit application at a Hungarian diplomatic or consular mission in your country of nationality or habitual residence.

If in Hungary on a visa-exempt basis: submit via the Enter Hungary online platform or in person at the competent NDGAP regional directorate.

Provide biometric data (facial photograph and fingerprints) and signature specimen within 15 days of submission (Enter Hungary route).

Pay the administrative service fee (EUR 110 abroad / HUF 26,000 Enter Hungary / HUF 39,000 in person).

Await decision: 21 days procedural admin / up to 30 days statutory deadline.

If approved abroad: collect the type D entry visa (valid 3 months, single entry, max 30 days stay) and travel to Hungary within 3 months to activate the residence permit.

To renew: apply via Enter Hungary no more than 90 days and no later than 30 days before expiry; renewal allowed only once for the same purpose.

Application Forms

Go to application portal

Residence permit application form (White Card)	—
Enter Hungary online applicationOptional	—

Verified Claims (19)

Last verified Jun 18, 2026

Application Steps	Gather proof of foreign employment or foreign company ownership, 6 months of bank statements showing…	oif.gov.hu
Criminal Policy	Case-by-case (general residence permit grounds for refusal apply: national security, ongoing expulsi…	oif.gov.hu
Dependent Visa	false	oif.gov.hu
Fee Breakdown	Residence permit issuance (consular / abroad): 110 EUR; Residence permit issuance (Enter Hungary pla…	oif.gov.hu
Fees	EUR 110 if applied at Hungarian diplomatic mission abroad; HUF 26,000 via Enter Hungary platform; HU…	oif.gov.hu
Forms	Residence permit application form (White Card); Enter Hungary online application	oif.gov.hu
Language Req	No language requirement	oif.gov.hu
Application Portal	https://enterhungary.gov.hu	oif.gov.hu

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