In short
US citizens can visit Hungary visa-free for 90 days in any 180, and can file most residence permits inside Hungary through the Enter Hungary portal. Remote workers use the White Card (€3,000 net a month, 1 year plus 1, no family, no path to permanent residence). Investors use the guest investor permit (€250,000 in an approved real-estate fund or a €1 million donation) — but its future is uncertain after the 2026 election. Employees use the Hungarian Card, the EU Blue Card or an employment permit. Most work and investor permits lead to a national residence card after 3 years, with a Hungarian cultural knowledge exam. Income tax is a flat 15%, and there has been no US–Hungary tax treaty since 2024. A single person in Budapest spends about €1,300–1,500 a month including rent.
Moving to Hungary: key facts
Last verified 28 September 2026| Visa-free stay | 90 days in any 180-day period (Schengen); the Entry/Exit System registers your entries since April 2026# Source: US Department of State: Hungary travel information · European Commission: Entry/Exit System fully operational from 10 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Where to apply | US citizens can file most permits inside Hungary through the Enter Hungary portal, or at a Hungarian consulate (Washington, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles)# Source: Immigration office (OIF): White Card for digital nomads · Immigration office (OIF): Hungarian Card |
| White Card (digital nomads) | €3,000 net a month for the 6 months before entry, from a foreign employer or your own business abroad; 1 year, extendable once for 1 year# Source: Immigration office (OIF): White Card for digital nomads |
| White Card: limits | No family members on it, no work for Hungarian clients, and it does not count toward permanent residence# Source: Immigration office (OIF): White Card for digital nomads · Immigration office (OIF): national residence card |
| Guest investor permit | €250,000 in units of an approved real-estate fund (held 5 years) or a €1,000,000 donation to a public-interest trust; the €500,000 property route was cancelled in December 2024 before it started# Source: Immigration office (OIF): guest investor residence permit · IMI Daily: Hungary drops the real-estate option from the guest investor programme |
| Guest investor: future | Still listed by the immigration office, but the government elected in April 2026 has signalled it may end the scheme estimate# Source: Immigration office (OIF): guest investor residence permit · Vialto Partners: Hungary election results and immigration policy (Apr 2026) |
| National residence card | After 3 years of uninterrupted legal stay — but not for White Card, self-employment or student permit holders; EU long-term residence after 5 years# Source: Immigration office (OIF): national residence card |
| Cultural knowledge exam | Since 2025 a written Hungarian cultural knowledge exam, in Hungarian, is needed for permanent residence cards (HUF 20,000, 3 attempts)# Source: Immigration office (OIF): Hungarian cultural knowledge exam |
| Citizenship | Usually 8 years of residence, plus an exam on the constitution in Hungarian; dual citizenship allowed# Source: Hungarian nationality law (Act LV of 1993) · US Department of State: dual nationality |
| Income tax | 15% flat# Source: PwC Tax Summaries: Hungary — personal income tax · Government offices: tax and contribution rates 2026 |
| US tax treaty | None — the US ended the treaty, with effect from 1 January 2024# Source: US Treasury: termination of the US–Hungary income tax treaty · KPMG: IRS Announcement 2024-5 on the end of the US–Hungary treaty |
Not American?
Canadians, Australians, Brits and other non-EU citizens: the same rules apply
Hungarian residence rules are the same for all non-EU citizens, so Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Brits follow the same routes as Americans. Only a few points differ:
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- South Korea
- + other visa-free countries
| Short stays | 90 days in any 180-day period (Schengen); the Entry/Exit System registers your entries since April 2026. The US State Department notes that a US–Hungary agreement may allow a further 90 days in Hungary only. |
|---|---|
| Tax treaty | The US ended its tax treaty with Hungary from 2024, so Americans get no treaty relief. Canada, the UK and Australia still have treaties with Hungary. |
| Social security | The US–Hungary Social Security agreement is still in force; other countries have their own agreements or none. |
| Documents from abroad | Need an apostille; the US, Canada (since 11 Jan 2024), the UK, Australia and NZ issue them.Source: HCCH: Apostille Convention status table |
Country Overview
Hungary at a Glance
Key facts Americans need before deciding.
Hungarian
English is common in business — Hungary ranks 22nd in the EF English Proficiency Index. Hungarian is needed for permanent residence and citizenship.
Forint (HUF)
EU member, but not in the euro. €1 ≈ HUF 366 (September 2026).
Nonstop in summer
American Airlines flies Philadelphia–Budapest daily from May to October; otherwise one stop via Europe.
State (TAJ) + private
State cover comes with Hungarian work or contributions; most newcomers on other permits use private insurance.
9.49 million
KSH, 1 January 2026.
15% flat
Employees also pay 18.5% social security; sole traders pay a further 13%.
Level 1
The lowest US travel advisory level; watch for pickpockets in tourist areas and at stations.
Pathways to Residency
Which Visa Route is Right for You?
US citizens can visit Hungary visa-free for 90 days in any 180. Since the 2024 immigration law, visa-free nationals can file most residence permits inside Hungary through the Enter Hungary portal, or at a Hungarian consulate in the US. The guest investor route starts with a visa from a consulate.
White Card (Digital Nomads)
For people working for a foreign employer or their own business abroad, with €3,000 net a month for the 6 months before entry. Valid 1 year and extendable once. Family members cannot join on it, and it does not lead to permanent residence.
- Min. income
- €3,000/month net
- Validity
- 1 year + 1 year
- Family
- Not allowed
- Decision
- Within 30 days
Guest Investor Permit
€250,000 in units of an approved real-estate fund (held at least 5 years) or a €1 million donation to a public-interest trust. A 10-year permit, extendable once, with no minimum stay. The €500,000 property route was cancelled before it started — and the new government may end the scheme.
- Min. investment
- €250,000 (fund)
- Permit
- 10 years
- Min. stay
- None
- Status
- Under review (2026)
Guest Self-Employment Permit
For founders and freelancers. You need income above 24 times the minimum wage (HUF 7.75 million a year in 2026), or — as a company manager — Hungarian staff or a business that needs you on site. 1 year, extendable to 3 years in total; no family in year 1 and no route to permanent residence.
- Income
- > HUF 7.75M/year
- Maximum
- 3 years
Hungarian Card, Blue Card & Employment Permit
Qualified employees and managers can use the Hungarian Card (up to 3 years, extendable) or the EU Blue Card (about HUF 1 million a month in 2026). Other jobs use an employment permit. No new guest-worker permits have been issued since June 2026.
- Job offer
- Required
- Blue Card
- ≈ HUF 1,001,048/month
Student Permit
For English-language degrees in medicine, engineering and business. Students may work up to 30 hours a week in term. Graduates get up to 9 months to look for work.
- Work
- 30 h/week in term
- After graduating
- 9 months job search
Permanent Residence & Citizenship
The national residence card after 3 years (not for White Card, self-employment or student permits) and EU long-term residence after 5, both with a Hungarian cultural knowledge exam. Citizenship usually after 8 years with an exam in Hungarian; dual citizenship allowed.
- National card
- After 3 years
- Citizenship
- Usually 8 years
Cost of Living
What Does Life in Hungary Actually Cost?
Budapest is one of the more affordable EU capitals, though rents have risen quickly — about 5.5% in the year to July 2026.
| Item | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, Budapest centre | about €730 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, Budapest outside centre | about €565 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, Debrecen or Pécs centre | about €550 |
| Everyday costs without rent (single person, Budapest) | about €745 |
| Utilities (85 m² apartment) + internet | about €175 |
| Budapest monthly transport pass | HUF 8,950 (about €24) |
Estimates from Numbeo (September 2026); fares from BKK. Source: Numbeo: Budapest · Debrecen · Pécs · BKK fares
A single person in Budapest spends about €1,300–1,500 a month including rent. Debrecen, Pécs, Győr and Szeged come to about €1,100–1,250.
Why Hungary
What Americans Love About Hungary
Beyond the visa — the real reasons expats choose Hungary.
Good Value
A central 1-bedroom in Budapest costs about €730 — about half of Lisbon or Vienna — and everyday costs are moderate too.
15% Flat Income Tax
One of the lowest personal tax rates in the EU, and a 9% corporate tax — the EU's lowest. Americans still owe US tax, and there is no treaty.
A Route to Permanent Residence
Holders of most work and investor permits can get the national residence card after 3 years of uninterrupted stay.
Architecture and Baths
Budapest's Danube banks, Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue are a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the city is famous for its thermal baths.
Central Location
Vienna is about 2 hours 40 minutes by train and Bratislava about 2 hours; Schengen means no border checks across 29 countries.
International Community
English-speaking coworking spaces, international schools and a large expat community in Budapest.
Where to Live
Life in Hungary's Cities
From the Danube capital to university towns and Lake Balaton.
Budapest
The capital — baths, ruin bars, the tech scene, international schools and night transport. See our Living in Budapest guide.
Debrecen
Hungary's second-largest city, with a big university and BMW's new car plant — rents about 25% below Budapest.
Pécs
Roman ruins, Ottoman mosques and a relaxed southern pace near the Croatian border.
Szeged & Győr
University town Szeged and industrial Győr, between Budapest and Vienna — both cheaper than the capital.
Lake Balaton
Central Europe's largest lake, with wine regions and sailing — busy in summer, quiet in winter.
How It Works
From Decision to Residence Card
We guide you through every step — from first consultation to settled life in Hungary.
Free consultation
We assess your situation and confirm the right route — White Card, a work permit, self-employment or the guest investor permit.
Prepare your documents
Income proof, contracts or a business plan, health insurance, accommodation, and an apostilled FBI record check where required.
File your application
US citizens can file most permits online through Enter Hungary after visa-free entry, or at a Hungarian consulate in the US. Decisions on most permits are due within 21–70 days.
Register your address
Register your address at a government office with the owner's consent; you can ask for an address card.
Collect your residence card
Your biometric card is issued by the immigration office (OIF) and lets you travel in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180.
Free Tools
Plan Your Move with Our Calculators
Built specifically for Americans considering a European move.
Golden Visa Calculator
Compare investor residence programmes across the EU — real costs and requirements, not brochure figures.
Open Calculator →Cost of Living Calculator
Enter your current US city — see your monthly budget in Budapest and 30 other European cities.
Open Calculator →Visa Finder
Answer 7 questions about your situation. Get a personalised ranking of EU visa programmes matched to your profile.
Find My Visa →FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can Americans live in Hungary?
Yes — with the White Card (remote work), the guest investor permit, a self-employment permit, the Hungarian Card, the EU Blue Card or an employment permit. US citizens can visit visa-free for 90 days in any 180 and can file most permits inside Hungary.
What is Hungary's White Card?
Hungary's permit for digital nomads working for a foreign employer or their own business abroad. You need €3,000 net a month for the 6 months before entry. It lasts 1 year and can be extended once. Family members cannot join on it, and it does not count toward permanent residence.
How much do I need to live in Budapest?
About €1,300–1,500 a month for a single person including rent — about €745 for everyday costs plus €565–730 for a 1-bedroom (Numbeo, September 2026).
How quickly can I get permanent residence in Hungary?
Most work and investor permit holders can apply for the national residence card after 3 years of uninterrupted stay, with a Hungarian cultural knowledge exam. White Card, self-employment and student permits do not count. EU long-term residence takes 5 years.
Is there a US–Hungary tax treaty?
Not any more. The US ended the treaty, with effect from 1 January 2024. US citizens in Hungary rely on the foreign tax credit or the foreign earned income exclusion. The Social Security agreement still applies.
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