Moving to Hungary
12 ways to move to Hungary in our guide: 1 working holiday visa, 1 nomad / remote-work visa, 2 investor routes, 1 business / startup route, 4 work visas, 1 student visa, 1 route by nationality or ancestry, 1 spouse visa.
Remote workers: White Card nomad permit, €3,000+ a month ≈ $3,350. Smallest investment: Guest Investor · €250k fund, €250k+ ≈ $279k. Tax for newcomers: Personal income tax: flat 15%, 15% tax. Checked against official sources on .
Hungary offers a range of residence routes for different goals, from investment and remote work to study and employment. Each route has its own conditions, and the records here set out who they are designed for and what to keep in mind.
Working holiday · 1
Working Holiday
Age limit: Ages vary by passport
Nomad / Remote work · 1
White Card nomad permit
Income needed: €3,000+ a month ≈ $3,350
Investing · 2
Guest Investor
Investment needed: from €250k ≈ $279k
Business / Startup · 1
Guest self-employment
Income needed: HUF 7.7M+ a year ≈ $24k
Work · 4
Student · 1
Student permit
First stay: 3 yrs
For your nationality or ancestry · 1
Open only to citizens of certain countries or to people with family roots here. Unlike free movement, each needs an application.
Hungarian simplified naturalisation
Spouse visas · 1
For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident.
Spouse visa
First stay: 3 yrs
Free movement and visa-free stays · 3
EU free movement · Lets you live here
Open to 31 passports: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Visa-free stay (4 months) · Up to 4 months without a visa
Open to 2 passports: San Marino, Singapore.
Visa-free stay (6 months) · Up to 6 months without a visa
Open to 19 passports: Andorra, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, MO, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, South Korea, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Tax
Hungarian resident individuals pay a flat personal income tax on worldwide income, with a social contribution on certain capital income above a threshold. Special regimes exist for small taxpayers, and corporate tax applies to businesses.
Standard rules
Personal income tax: flat 15%
15% tax
Details
- On: Worldwide income of residents (consolidated and separately taxed income)
- Who: Resident private persons are taxable on income earned in Hungary or abroad
Hungarian resident individuals pay a flat 15% personal income tax on all income, earned in Hungary or abroad; income taxable abroad under a double taxation convention (typically except dividends) is exempt in Hungary, and tax paid abroad on dividends is deductible from the 15% dividend tax.
Taxed on
Worldwide income of residents (consolidated and separately taxed income); Hungarian-source income of non-residents subject to treaties.
Who it applies to
- Resident private persons are taxable on income earned in Hungary or abroad.
- Treaty income of residents that is taxable abroad under the convention (typically except dividends) is exempt in Hungary.
- Foreign dividends: tax paid abroad is deductible from the 15% tax on evidence; without a treaty at least 5% must be paid in Hungary.
Exclusions
- Non-residents are taxed on Hungarian-source income under treaty rules.
Visas
Not tied to a visa.
Other taxes
A 13% social contribution tax is also payable on dividends taxed at 15%, exchange gains and business withdrawals. The rule is tied to 24 times the minimum wage (Act LII of 2018); the tax authority summary does not say clearly whether that amount is a ceiling on the taxed income or a starting point, and the Act text was not reachable when checked on 12 October 2026.
Checked against official sources on Change log
Special regime
Itemised tax for small taxpayers (KATA): HUF 50,000 per month
Tax relief
Details
- On: Fixed monthly amount per small-taxpayer activity
- Limit: HUF 50k/mo ≈ $150
Self-employed small taxpayers pay a fixed HUF 50,000 (≈ $150) monthly itemised tax instead of PIT on that activity, with a 40% special tax on income above HUF 18 million (≈ $55,100) a year.
Taxed on
Fixed monthly amount per small-taxpayer activity; income above HUF 18 million (≈ $55,100) (HUF 1.5 million (≈ $4,590) per month) pays 40% special tax.
Who it applies to
- Self-employed person whose main occupation is registered as a sole proprietor under Act CXV of 2009 and who opts for KATA for the registered activities.
- A person is not treated as having a main occupation if, on every day of the month, they work 36 or more hours a week in employment, are insured abroad under EU or bilateral rules, are in full-time education, or fall in the other listed groups.
Exclusions
- Income above the annual limit triggers the 40% special tax on the excess.
- The itemised tax does not cover tax and contribution duties on income paid to employees.
Limits
- HUF 50,000 a month (≈ $150) · Itemised tax per month
- HUF 18,000,000 a year (≈ $55,100) · Income limit before the 40% special tax applies
Tax residence
Applies to sole proprietors with a registered main occupation in Hungary; the KATA booklet (published 20 February 2026, updated August 2026) does not set a residence-day test.
Visas
A guest self-employment permit holder can run a business but eligibility for KATA is set by tax law, not the permit.
Other taxes
Social contributions and VAT follow their own rules.
Checked against official sources on Change log
Standard rules
Corporate tax 9% and local business tax up to 2%
9% tax
Details
- On: Positive corporate tax base
- Who: Hungarian companies and permanent establishments
Corporate tax is 9% of the positive tax base; municipalities may add local business tax of up to 2%.
Taxed on
Positive corporate tax base; local business tax on business activity carried on permanently.
Who it applies to
- Hungarian companies and permanent establishments.
Tax residence
Not applicable.
Visas
Independent of visas.
Other taxes
Local business tax maximum rate 2%; building and land taxes are local.
Checked against official sources on Change log
Checked against official sources on Change log
Hungary in pictures
Switch to later · 1
Work
Post-study job/business
First stay: 9 mo
Path to permanent residence · 2
- Citizenship · Simplified naturalisation for descendants of Hungarian citizens (egyszerűsített honosítás, Act LV of 1993 Section 4(3))
- PR after 3 years · National residence card (permanent residence for third-country nationals)
Arriving in Hungary: first steps
- Arrange health insurance that meets the requirements for your chosen route.
- Secure accommodation in Hungary and keep proof of address.
- Open a Hungarian bank account for local transactions and proof of funds.
- Register your residence with the immigration authorities as required.
- Obtain a tax number from the Hungarian tax authority if you will work or do business.
- Keep all documents related to your application and stay up to date with renewal deadlines.
Questions people ask
Does Hungary have a working holiday visa?
Yes. Hungary has 1 working holiday visa. Working Holiday gives a first stay of 1 year.
What is the Hungary digital nomad visa income requirement in 2026?
Hungary has 1 nomad or remote-work visa. White Card nomad permit asks for an income of at least EUR 3,000 a month (≈ $3,350) and gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed.
How much do you need to invest for residency in Hungary?
Hungary has 2 investor routes. Guest Investor · €1M donation asks for an investment of at least EUR 1,000,000 (≈ $1,120,000). Guest Investor · €250k fund asks for an investment of at least EUR 250,000 (≈ $279,000).
Can I move to Hungary by starting a business?
Hungary has 1 business or startup route. Guest self-employment asks for an income of at least HUF 7,747,200 a year (≈ $23,700) and gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed.
What work visas does Hungary offer foreigners?
Hungary has 4 work visas. Hungarian Card gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed. Intra-company transfer permit gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed. Researcher permit gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed.
How do I get a student visa for Hungary?
Hungary has 1 student visa. Student permit gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed.
Can my nationality or ancestry give me residence in Hungary?
Yes. Hungary has 1 route by nationality or ancestry. It is Hungarian simplified naturalisation.
Can I join my spouse or partner in Hungary?
Yes. Hungary has 1 spouse visa. Spouse visa gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed.
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≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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