Hungary digital nomad visa: Complete guide for UK expats

Love the idea of travelling the world, without having to give up your job? If you have the kind of role that you can do anywhere with an internet connection, you might want to spend some time as a digital nomad.

One country which offers a special digital nomad visa is Hungary. It’s a popular spot for remote workers wanting to soak up the history and culture of Budapest, or join the growing digital nomad community in second city Debrecen.

In this guide, we’ll give you the lowdown on the digital nomad visa for Hungary. This includes how it works, how much it costs, eligibility requirements, the documents you’ll need and the steps to apply.

Hungary digital nomad visa: requirements and eligibility

Hungary is one of many countries which has a digital nomad visa. It’s actually a permit called the White Card.

With this permit, eligible non-EU nationals can legally live in Hungary and work remotely for an overseas client or employer for a year, with the option to renew once for a further year.¹

You can’t bring family members with you on this visa, and you can’t work for a business or clients within Hungary itself.

If you’re self-employed rather than working remotely for an overseas employer, there’s another visa/permit that may be more suitable - the residence permit for guest self-employment. It’s really similar, except that it allows a further renewal, meaning a total stay of up to 3 years.²

To meet the Hungary digital nomad visa requirements, you’ll need to have a minimum income of at least €3,000 EUR over the 6 months prior to your application. You must also have somewhere to live and a valid health insurance policy for the duration of your stay in the country.¹

How much does it cost?

The Hungary digital nomad visa costs €110 EUR (approx. £96.84 GBP) in application fees. This is if you’re applying outside of the country.³

If you’re applying from within Hungary after entering as a tourist, you’ll pay either 26,000 HUF (approx. £59.45 GBP) if you apply online at the Enter Hungary platform or 39,000 HUF (approx. £89.18 GBP) if you apply in person.³

Aside from the upfront application fees, there may be other costs to factor in. For example, the cost of getting travel/health insurance or having documents translated or certified.

What documents do you need?

You’ll need the following documents to apply for a digital nomad visa for Hungary:⁴

• A completed application form
• A valid passport with at least 3 months remaining, plus a photocopy of the biometrics/photo page
• One recent passport-size photograph of yourself
• If you’re not a UK citizen, proof of your UK visa/residence permit
• Documents verifying your employment, such as a statement from your employer outlining the nature of its business and your role, and confirming that you can work remotely.
• Proof of income, such as pay slips, tax statements and/or bank statements from the last 6 months
• Proof of a comprehensive health insurance policy covering the duration of your stay
• Proof of accommodation - such as a rental contract, proof of property ownership or other proof of accommodation reservation.
• A valid ticket for leaving Hungary, or proof of sufficient funds in order to buy such a ticket.

How to apply for the digital nomad visa for Hungary

To apply for the digital nomad visa for Hungary from the UK, you’ll need to apply through VFS Global. This is the official partner of the Embassy of Hungary in the United Kingdom.

Here’s how to do it:⁵

1. Check your eligibility - in particular, that you’re able to meet the minimum income requirement
2. Get your documents together - this includes taking out a health insurance policy and making a photocopy of your passport’s biometrics page
3. Download the application form - print it out and complete it. You can get more information on how to complete your application on the VFS Global website
4. Book an appointment at your nearest Visa Application Centre - they’re located in London, Manchester and Edinburgh, so you may have to travel
5. Attend your appointment, taking along your supporting documents. You’ll submit your application and have your biometrics taken, which means your photograph and fingerprints.
6. Pay your visa application fee - you can pay in cash or by debit/credit card
7. Wait for a decision - you can track the progress of your application online at the VFS Global website
8. Once your application has been approved, you’ll need to collect your passport and visa documents from the Visa Application Centre - or arrange for it to be returned to you by courier for an additional fee.

It’s also possible to apply from inside Hungary, if you’ve entered as a tourist. You can do it through the Enter Hungary website.

While you’re waiting for your visa to be issued, you can get on with other important pre-move preparations. For example, starting an application to open a Hungarian bank account or ordering Hungarian forints (HUF) for your first few days in the country.

📚How to open a Hungarian bank account

How long can you stay in Hungary as a digital nomad?

The digital nomad White Card visa for Hungary lets you stay in the country for up to 1 year, with the option to renew for 1 further year. This means a total stay of up to 2 years.¹

📚Can you keep UK bank account when moving abroad?

Taxes for digital nomads in Hungary

While you’re living and working in Hungary as a digital nomad, you may need to pay taxes on your income.

There’s no specific Hungary digital nomad visa tax, just income tax rules that apply to anyone considered a tax resident of the country.

If you stay in Hungary for more than 183 days, you may be deemed to be a tax resident. This means that your worldwide income can be subject to income tax.⁶ It’s likely that this will happen if you take advantage of the full 1-2 year stay the digital nomad visa offers.

There’s also the issue of what income taxes are due in the UK, and the need to avoid paying tax twice on the same income.

And if you’re starting a business in Hungary, you’ll also need to read up on corporate taxes there.

Tax between countries can be really complicated, so it’s best to get professional advice to make sure you understand your obligations.

Save on your relocation costs with Wise

That’s everything you need to know about the digital nomad visa in Hungary. Make sure you check for any updates to the application process or the requirements ahead of applying.

Before moving to Hungary, you’re likely to have lots of costs to cover. Some of these, such as real estate costs, visa application fees and rental deposits, will need to cross borders and can get expensive because of the transfer fees and exchange rate markups.

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FAQs

Is it possible to extend the Hungary digital nomad visa?

Yes, you can apply to renew your Hungary digital nomad visa once. This gives you an additional 12 months, and a total stay of 2 years.¹

Does a Hungary digital nomad visa lead to citizenship?

No, the Hungary digital nomad visa is temporary and doesn’t offer any direct route to citizenship.

If you want to move there permanently and explore routes to citizenship, you’ll need to be eligible for a different, long-term visa, such as a skilled work or residence pathway.

How long does it take to get a digital nomad visa for Hungary?

It typically takes around 21-30 days for White Card permit applications to be processed via VFS Global.⁷

Sources used:

1. National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing - duration of White Card, income and health insurance requirement
2. National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing - duration of residence permit
3. National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing - visa fees
4. VFS Global - documents needed
5. VFS Global - steps to apply
6. Immigrant Invest - residence permit in Hungary
7. VFS Global - visa processing time

Sources last checked on date: 11-Nov-2025