---
title: "Hungary Spouse visa requirements 2026: 3-year stay"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hungary/family/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-11
---

Hungary · Spouse visas

# Hungary Spouse visa

**First stay:** 3 yrs

Residence permit for the purpose of family reunification (spouse of a Hungarian citizen or resident)

First checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **First stay:** 3 yrs (Valid up to 3 years and extendable by up to 3 years; up to 5 years (extendable by 5) where the sponsor is a Hungarian citizen holding an EC permanent residence permit or EU residence card. It cannot outlast the passport or the sponsor's permit.)
- **Who can apply:** Most passports (Third-country nationals (not EEA nationals or their family members).)
- **Work:** Limited (Work is allowed only where the permit was issued or extended in a single application procedure that includes employment.)
- **Family:** Family can join (Minor children of the sponsor or spouse can be included in family reunification.)

## Key facts

Spouse visa is a spouse visas route for Hungary. Local work: limited. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.

- **Government fees:** €110 ≈ $120
- **First stay:** 3 yrs

## Cost, time and long term

**Government fees: €110 ≈ $120**

- EUR 110 (≈ $120) Procedural fee for a residence permit applied for abroad; HUF 39,000 (≈ $120) in person in Hungary and HUF 26,000 (≈ $80) via Enter Hungary.

**Renewal: Renewable**

Valid up to 3 years and extendable by up to 3 years; up to 5 years where the sponsor is a Hungarian citizen with a permanent residence permit or EU residence card.

[National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing](https://www.oif.gov.hu/factsheets/residence-permit-for-the-purpose-of-family-reunification)

**Permanent residence: After 3 years of residence**

After 3 years of uninterrupted legal residence a family member can apply for a national residence card; some family members of Hungarian citizens have other criteria.

[OIF](https://www.oif.gov.hu/factsheets/national-residence-card)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Work rights are limited
- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- Applicant is the spouse or registered partner of a Hungarian citizen, or of a person holding a residence, settlement, permanent residence or national or EU residence card.
- The sponsor does not hold a work, student, trainee, seasonal, guest-worker, White Card or volunteer residence permit.
- A second spouse cannot be admitted while another spouse of the sponsor holds a family reunification visa or permit.

#### What you must show

- Applicant shows legally acquired income or savings sufficient for subsistence, accommodation, return travel and healthcare.
- The fee is EUR 110 (≈ $120) abroad, HUF 39,000 (≈ $120) in person in Hungary, or HUF 26,000 (≈ $80) through the Enter Hungary platform.

#### Documents

- Marriage certificate, which for a Hungarian citizen's spouse is accepted only after domestic registration of the marriage.
- Proof of subsistence such as a bank statement, income document or notarised maintenance undertaking by a family member.
- Proof of accommodation such as a lease, ownership document or accommodation-by-courtesy statement, and proof of health insurance.
- Valid passport, return or onward ticket or funds for travel, and one facial photograph.

#### Steps

1. Apply at a Hungarian consulate abroad, which also covers the entry visa; applicants entitled to visa-free entry may apply in Hungary via Enter Hungary or in person.
2. The authority decides in 21 days, or 70 days if employment is applied for in a single application procedure.

#### After you arrive

- Divorce or the spouse's death must be reported within 30 days of the judgment or death certificate.
- After 5 years from the first permit the family member may continue residing in Hungary without the sponsor.

## When you become tax resident

How Hungary decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Foreign-source income:** **15% worldwide** 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.

[All tax rules for Hungary](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hungary/tax/) Tax records checked 12 Oct 2026

## What you need to arrange

- **Health insurance** Proof of accommodation such as a lease, ownership document or accommodation-by-courtesy statement, and proof of health insurance
- **Accommodation** Applicant shows legally acquired income or savings sufficient for subsistence, accommodation, return travel and healthcare
- **Bank account / funds** Proof of subsistence such as a bank statement, income document or notarised maintenance undertaking by a family member
- **Police certificate and civil documents** Marriage certificate, which for a Hungarian citizen's spouse is accepted only after domestic registration of the marriage

Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts.

**Full official text**

Residence permit for the spouse or registered partner of a Hungarian citizen or of a third-country national holding a Hungarian residence permit, valid up to 3 years and extendable. (sources 1, 2)

#### What you must show and pay

- A fee of EUR 110 (≈ $120) · Procedural fee for a residence permit applied for abroad; HUF 39,000 (≈ $120) in person in Hungary and HUF 26,000 (≈ $80) via Enter Hungary. (source 2)

#### Requirements

- Applicant is the spouse or registered partner of a Hungarian citizen, or of a person holding a residence, settlement, permanent residence or national or EU residence card. (source 1)
- The sponsor does not hold a work, student, trainee, seasonal, guest-worker, White Card or volunteer residence permit. (source 1)
- A second spouse cannot be admitted while another spouse of the sponsor holds a family reunification visa or permit. (source 1)
- Applicant shows legally acquired income or savings sufficient for subsistence, accommodation, return travel and healthcare. (source 1)
- The fee is EUR 110 (≈ $120) abroad, HUF 39,000 (≈ $120) in person in Hungary, or HUF 26,000 (≈ $80) through the Enter Hungary platform. (source 2)
- Marriage certificate, which for a Hungarian citizen's spouse is accepted only after domestic registration of the marriage. (source 1)
- Proof of subsistence such as a bank statement, income document or notarised maintenance undertaking by a family member. (source 1)
- Proof of accommodation such as a lease, ownership document or accommodation-by-courtesy statement, and proof of health insurance. (source 1)
- Valid passport, return or onward ticket or funds for travel, and one facial photograph. (source 1)
- Apply at a Hungarian consulate abroad, which also covers the entry visa; applicants entitled to visa-free entry may apply in Hungary via Enter Hungary or in person. (source 1)
- The authority decides in 21 days, or 70 days if employment is applied for in a single application procedure. (source 1)
- Divorce or the spouse's death must be reported within 30 days of the judgment or death certificate. (source 1)
- After 5 years from the first permit the family member may continue residing in Hungary without the sponsor. (source 1)

#### Stay

- Valid up to 3 years and extendable by up to 3 years; up to 5 years (extendable by 5) where the sponsor is a Hungarian citizen holding an EC permanent residence permit or EU residence card. It cannot outlast the passport or the sponsor's permit.
- First stay: up to 36 months, decided case by case.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

#### Nationality

Third-country nationals (not EEA nationals or their family members). Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

#### Work

Work is allowed only where the permit was issued or extended in a single application procedure that includes employment.

#### Family

Minor children of the sponsor or spouse can be included in family reunification.

Checked 2026-10-11

## Official sources

1. [Residence permit for the purpose of family reunification](https://www.oif.gov.hu/factsheets/residence-permit-for-the-purpose-of-family-reunification) · National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (OIF) · checked 2026-10-10
2. [Procedural fees](https://oif.gov.hu/factsheets/procedural-fees) · OIF · checked 2026-10-10
3. [National residence card](https://www.oif.gov.hu/factsheets/national-residence-card) · OIF · checked 2026-10-10

## Spouse visa and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Spouse visa | – | 3 yr, renewable | Limited |
| [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/spouse-of-citizen/) Portugal | – | – | – |
| [Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/family-reunification/) Spain | Needs income of €900+ a month ≈ $1,010 | – | Yes |
| [Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) Georgia | – | 1 yr, renewable | – |
| [Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) Italy | Needs income of €11k+ a year ≈ $12k | – | Yes |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Spouse visa?

A fee of EUR 110 (≈ $120). Procedural fee for a residence permit applied for abroad; HUF 39,000 (≈ $120) in person in Hungary and HUF 26,000 (≈ $80) via Enter Hungary.

### How long can I stay on the Spouse visa?

Valid up to 3 years and extendable by up to 3 years; up to 5 years (extendable by 5) where the sponsor is a Hungarian citizen holding an EC permanent residence permit or EU residence card.

### Can I work on the Spouse visa?

Limited. Work is allowed only where the permit was issued or extended in a single application procedure that includes employment.

### Can I bring my family on the Spouse visa?

Minor children of the sponsor or spouse can be included in family reunification.

### Who can apply for the Spouse visa?

Third-country nationals (not EEA nationals or their family members). Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

### Does the Spouse visa lead to permanent residence in Hungary?

Time on the Spouse visa counts toward permanent residence in Hungary, which the rules allow after 3 years of residence.

### How are Spouse visa holders taxed in Hungary?

No special regime in our records is tied to the Spouse visa. The standard rules apply: 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.

## More in Hungary

[Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hungary/working-holiday/) [White Card nomad permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hungary/white-card/) [Guest Investor · €1M donation](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hungary/guest-investor-donation/) [Guest Investor · €250k fund](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hungary/guest-investor-fund/) [Guest self-employment](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hungary/guest-self/) [Hungarian Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hungary/hungarian-card/) [Intra-company transfer permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hungary/intra-corporate-transfer/) [Researcher permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hungary/researcher/)

## Spouse and partner visas elsewhere

[🇬🇷 Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/spouse-of-citizen/) [🇫🇷 Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) [🇬🇧 Fiancé visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/fiance-visa/) [🇳🇱 Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/spouse-of-citizen/) [🇨🇾 Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) [🇦🇱 Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/albania/spouse-of-permanent-resident/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-11 against 3 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [Residence permit for the purpose of family reunification](https://www.oif.gov.hu/factsheets/residence-permit-for-the-purpose-of-family-reunification) · National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (OIF) · checked 2026-10-10
2. [Procedural fees](https://oif.gov.hu/factsheets/procedural-fees) · OIF · checked 2026-10-10
3. [National residence card](https://www.oif.gov.hu/factsheets/national-residence-card) · OIF · checked 2026-10-10

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.