ELIGIBILITY
A residence permit for the purpose of family reunification may be issued to a third-country national:
- who is a family member of a third-country national in possession of a residence permit, immigration permit, settlement permit, interim permanent residence permit, national permanent residence permit, EC permanent residence permit or residence card or permanent residence card in accordance with specific other legislation or a Hungarian national(hereinafter referred to as “sponsor”);
- who is a family member of a person with refugee status or who has been granted subsidiary protection status (the spouse of a person with refugee status may be issued a residence permit for the purpose of family reunification if their marriage was contracted before the entry of the person with refugee status into the territory of Hungary);
- who is the parent of an unaccompanied minor with refugee or subsidiary protection status, or the minor’s legally appointed guardian;
- who is a sponsor, or his/her spouse, or the supported parent of a person with refugee status;
- who is a sponsor, or his/her spouse, or the sibling or relative in direct line of a person with refugee or subsidiary protection status, if they are unable to support themselves due to health reasons.
Family member:
- spouse of of a Hungarian national or a third-country national:
- the minor child (including adopted and foster children) of a third-country national with his/her spouse;
- the minor child, including adopted and foster children, of a third-country national where this third-country national has parental custody and the children are dependent on him/her;
- the minor child, including adopted and foster children, of the spouse of a third-country national where the spouse has parental custody and the children are dependent on him/her.
- a person having and exercising parental custody of a minor child and living in the same household with the minor
DEFINITIONS
Person admitted for subsidiary protection
INFORMATION ON SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS AND THE RELATED PROCESS
Requirements: the completed form, facial photograph taken not more than three months prior to date, the mandatory enclosures and payment of the procedural fee.
If the applicant is a minor of limited capacity or if incompetent, the application may be submitted by the applicant’s legal representative in his/her stead.
Additionally, be advised that – if apart from family reunification – the foreign national plans to seek employment in Hungary, an application for the issue or extension of a residence permit may be submitted – in the case of preferred employer – by the prospective employer as well, provided that the client has consented in writing by means of an unilateral statement. In that case the immigration authority may communicate with the employer as well, however, the client will be notified of all procedural steps taken.
In case the application is submitted by the employer or a Hungarian receiving organization, it shall be submitted electronically upon electronic identification. For detailed information on electronic administration, please click here.
When the application is submitted, the applicant’s facial likeness and – over the age of six years – fingerprint will be taken for the residence permit issued with biometric data. The third-country national affected is obliged to abide by, and perforce tolerate, that procedure. Where the application for residence permit is submitted through the employer, the client is nevertheless required to appear in person before the competent authority, when so requested by the authority, for the purpose of data processing and for carrying out other procedural steps.
Except as provided for by law, an application for residence permit may be submitted to any consular officer of Hungary, or at any other place authorised to accept applications for residence permit located in the country where the applicant’s permanent or temporary residence is located, or in the country of the applicant’s nationality. Third-country nationals may apply for an entry visa for receiving a residence permit before admission to the country in the application for residence permit, without having to lodge a separate application.
Applications for residence permit for the purpose of family reunification, if the third-country national plans to enter into an employment relationship as well, shall be assessed by the competent authority within the framework of a single application procedure.
Please, click here to access detailed information on the single application procedure.
If the decision of the regional directorate is in favour of the application for residence permit, it shall constitute approval for the issue of an entry visa for receiving a residence permit, of which the competent consulate officer shall be notified. The entry visa for receiving a residence permit shall be issued by the competent consular officer based on the regional directorate’s decision.
Please note that D visas for entitlement to receive a residence permit issued to third-country nationals are single-entry visas authorising a stay of not more than 30 days. Apart from the submission of applications for issuing a residence permit at Hungarian diplomatic mission as a general rule, Hungarian law also provides for the possibility of submitting such applications in Hungary as well. Third-country nationals residing in the territory of Hungary may submit an application for residence permit at the regional directorate responsible for the place where the place of accommodation of the third-country national is located if there are special circumstances to justify the submission of the application in Hungary, or if legally residing in the territory of Hungary as a national of the States listed in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 of the European Parliament and of the Council, or together with such third-country national in the capacity of a family member. The special circumstance referred to above shall, in particular, cover any event related to medical treatment, family reunification or occupational activity that has occurred for reasons beyond the third-country national’s control, and that prevents the submission of the application at a place in accordance with the general provisions set out by law. An application for issuing a residence permit on the grounds of special circumstances may be submitted only in person to authority of first instance competent for the place of accommodation.
A third-country national of a visa-free country, legally residing in Hungary without a visa can submit an application for a residence permit electronically upon registration on the electronic platform of the immigration authority for procedure initiation. Please, click here for detailed information on the electronic procedure.
Applications for the extension of the residence permit shall be submitted only electronically upon registration on the electronic platform of the immigration authority for procedure initiation 30 days before the expiry of the right of residence at the latest.
For more details on electronic administration, please click here.
Please note that an application submitted electronically is deemed to have been received by the authority if the administrative service fee has been paid. Furthermore, it is necessary to appear before the competent regional directorate within 15 days of the confirmation of receipt in order to verify your identity, to take your biometric data and a specimen signature, and to have your documents recognised.
A valid travel document must be attached to the application.
The extension of the residence permit may be granted only if the conditions set out in the law are met and the residence of the third-country national has exceeded 90 days within any 180 days prior to the submission of the application for a residence permit.
The family members of third-country nationals with refugee status shall verify their compliance with the requirements set out below, such as having a place of accommodation or residence, having sufficient financial resources to support him/herself and to cover the cost of continued travel or the return trip, and that he/she has the necessary financial resources to cover the costs of having access to comprehensive health insurance services, if more than three months have lapsed between the time when refugee status was granted and the time when the request for family reunification was lodged.
Please note that the concessions referred to above are not available in connection with applications for residence permit submitted by the family members of third-country nationals who have been granted subsidiary protection status.
1. The administrative service fee charged for the procedure for issuing a residence permit is EUR 110, which is to be paid at the diplomatic or consular mission in EUR or in other convertible currency, or in exceptional cases, in the legal tender of the state in which the application is submitted.
2. The administrative service fee charged for the procedure for the extension of a residence permit is HUF 23.000, if the application is lodged electronically via NDGAP’s electronic procedure initiation platform (Enter Hungary).
3. The administrative service fee charged for the procedure for issuing a residence permit for a third country national holding the citizenship of a visa-free country, legally residing in Hungary is HUF 24.000 if the application is lodged electronically via NDGAP’s electronic procedure initiation platform (Enter Hungary).
4. The administrative service fee charged for the submission of an application for the procedure for issuing a residence permit on the grounds of special circumstances, accompanied by a petition for equitable consideration is HUF 39.000 if submitted in person within the territory of Hungary (at one of NDGAP’s client service office).
The administrative service fee is to be paid by way of an electronic payment instrument (bank card). In case of submission of an application for the procedure for issuing a residence permit on the grounds of special circumstances accompanied by a petition for equitable consideration submitted in person within the territory of Hungary the administrative service fee is to be paid by way of an electronic payment instrument (bank card) or in the form of a bank deposit (using the cheque supplied by the regional directorate).
If you wish to ask for an invoice on the payment of the procedural fee, please click on the link below:
Invoice request on payment of procedural fee.
The regional directorate shall rule on the application for residence permit for the purpose of family reunification within 21 days.
The competent immigration authority shall deliver the document evidencing right of residence to the applicant by way of post. The applicant may collect the residence permit document at the competent immigration authority in person if able to evidence that he/she is not in a position to receive the residence permit document at the mailing address given, however, he/she is required to prove such circumstances.
In case of refusal, the decision may be appealed within 8 days of delivery, submitted to the authority of first instance, or at the Hungarian diplomatic or consular mission where the application was submitted. If the applicant introduces any new evidence in the appeal, of which he/she was aware before the decision was adopted, or if the appeal is lodged without showing cause, or if the appeal is late or does not originate from the eligible applicant, the authority of first instance shall dismiss the appeal without any examination as to merits.
The administrative service fee charged for an appeal submitted at a diplomatic or consular mission is EUR 160, which is to be paid in Euros or in other convertible currency, or in exceptional cases, in the legal tender of the state in which the application for an appeal is submitted. In case of submissions within the territory of Hungary before a regional directorate, the administrative service fee charged for an appeal is HUF 47.000, which is to be paid by way of an electronic payment instrument (bank card) or in the form of a bank deposit (using the cheque supplied by the regional directorate). The client’s name and date of birth, and the case type i.e. „Residence Permit Appeal” are to be indicated in the comment box.
If you wish to ask for an invoice on the payment of the procedural fee, click on the link below:
Invoice request on payment of procedural fee
FORMS
The application shall be submitted with the form „Application for Residence Permit” and Appendix 2 completed.
If the third-country national plans to enter into an employment relationship Appendix 9 must be also completed.
If the applicant is travelling together with his/her minor child, shown in his/her passport, Appendix “A” must be completed and enclosed with the application.
Forms optimised for Microsoft Word to be completed electronically:
- Application for Residence Permit and Appendix 2
- Application for Replacement Residence Document
- Application for Substitute Residence Document
Forms available for downloading in PDF format, to be filled out manually:
- Application for Residence Permit and Appendix 2
- Application for Replacement Residence Document
- Application for Substitute Residence Document
MANDATORY ENCLOSURES
DOCUMENTS VERIFYING THE PURPOSE OF RESIDENCE
Family reunification, as the purpose of residence, may be verified by:
- birth certificate;
- marriage certificate;
- adoption document;
- any other document attesting the existence of family relationship.
Moreover, please note that an authentic instrument made out abroad, and any private document certified by a foreign court, administrative body, notary public or any other person vested with authority to issue authentic documents shall – unless any law pertaining to the case in question, an international agreement or the principle of reciprocity suggests otherwise – be considered affirmative proof according to Hungarian laws if endorsed by the Hungarian diplomatic or consular mission in the country where it was issued. Any instrument made out in a language other than Hungarian shall be accepted only with the official Hungarian translation attached, unless otherwise prescribed by an act.
Marriage certificate submitted by third country national family member of a Hungarian citizen can be accepted only after domestic registration.
Family relationship for the purpose of reunification with a person with refugee status or a person who has been granted subsidiary protection may be verified by any reliable means, specifically by DNA analysis. A sample for DNA analysis shall be taken in the presence of an officer of the regional directorate, or the competent consulate officer. If the third-country national verifies family relationship by means of a DNA analysis performed abroad, the regional directorate shall contact the Bűnügyi Szakértői és Kutatóintézet (Hungarian Institute for Forensic Sciences) requesting an expert assessment with a view to verifying the admissibility of such proof. All costs related to such DNA analysis shall be borne by the applicant.
DOCUMENTS IN PROOF OF MEANS OF SUBSISTENCE IN HUNGARY
A third-country national is considered to have sufficient resources to cover his/her subsistence for residence exceeding ninety days within a one hundred and eighty day period if his/her lawful income or assets or his/her family member’s income or assets is sufficient to cover their living expenses, including accommodation, return travel, and if necessary, healthcare.
The requirement of subsistence may, in particular, be verified by:
- a notarised statement made by the receiving family member promising support to the applicant along with a document in proof of the family member’s ability to provide such support;
- an income certificate issued by the tax authority for the family member’s or applicant’s previous year’s income;
- an income certificate issued by the employer;
- the family member’s or applicant’s bank statement of a Hungarian bank account;
- a certificate issued by the employer and/or tax authority as proof of regular income received from abroad;
- other documents.
DOCUMENTS PROVING THE EXISTENCE OF HUNGARIAN ACCOMMODATION
The place of Hungarian accommodation must be a property shown in the real estate register as a residential building or detached house, or any similar property suitable for habitation (minimum 6 square meters of living space per person) or a commercial or other accommodation deemed appropriate by law.
Compliance with the requirement of accommodation in Hungary may be verified by:
- a residential lease contract in proof of the rental of a residence;
- a document on accommodation by courtesy;
- a document in proof of ownership of the residential property, by means of a certified copy of title deed issued within 30 days to date;
- documentary evidence to verify the reservation of accommodation and payment;
- a notarised statement made by a family member with the right of residence in Hungary as holding a long-term visa or residence permit, with immigrant or permanent resident status, holding a residence card or a permanent residence card in accordance with specific other legislation, or with refugee status, promising lodging to the applicant; or
- a real estate sales contract and a copy of the decision of the competent Budapest or county government agency granting permission for the acquisition of a real estate property;
- other documents.
DOCUMENTS PROVING THE EXISTENCE OF COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH INSURANCE
Enclosed with the application for residence permit the applicant shall provide proof of having access to comprehensive health insurance services (in particular on the basis of specific other legislation on the social security system, international agreement, or under specific agreement), or that he/she has the necessary financial resources to cover the costs of such services.
DOCUMENTS EVIDENCING THE CONDITIONS OF EXIT
The conditions of exit may be verified by:
- a valid passport or the permits necessary for the third-country national for returning to his/her country of origin, or to the country he/she indicates;
- and a valid ticket for departure, or sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket, or a means of transport lawfully used by the third-country national.
Enclosed with the application the third-country national is required to provide a statement undertaking the commitment of voluntary departure from the territory of the Member States of the European Union if the application is refused.
Moreover, a minor third-country national shall provide proof that his/her parent or legal representative gave permission for his/her stay in Hungary, for the duration of the planned stay. Parental consent may be evidenced by a statement executed in a private document representing conclusive evidence or an authentic instrument, with Hungarian or English translation.
During the process, the immigration authority may request further documents, apart from the mandatory enclosures, for ascertaining the relevant facts of the case, and may take further procedural steps as well. The administrative time limit shall not include the length of time between the receipt of the notice for remedying deficiencies until the time of compliance.
After the application is submitted the applicant or his/her representative shall be able attach documents by way of post or electronically. In case the application has been submitted electronically, the notification of incomplete application and the provision of missing documents will be carried out electronically as well.
VALIDITY PERIOD
The validity period of a residence permit for family reunification is:
- four years maximum, and it may be extended by up to four additional years at a time, if the sponsor has an EU Blue Card;
- five years maximum, and it may be extended by up to five additional years at a time, if the sponsor has an EC permanent residence permit on account of holding an EU Blue Card; or
- three years maximum – except as provided above –, and it may be extended by up to three additional years at a time.
The validity period of a residence permit issued for the purpose of family reunification may not exceed the validity period of the sponsor’s residence permit. If the sponsor has an EU Blue Card, the validity period of a residence permit issued for the purpose of family reunification shall be the same as the validity period of the sponsor’s EU Blue Card.
The validity period of the residence permit shall be set in consideration of the date of expiry of the passport. The validity period of a residence permit issued for the purpose of family reunification may not exceed the validity period of the applicant’s travel document even if the time limits provided for above are taken into consideration.
ACCRUED RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS
- A third-country national holding a valid residence permit has the right of entry without a visa and the right of residence in the territory of Schengen Member States not exceeding ninety days within a one hundred and eighty day period.
- The holder of a ‘Residence Permit for the Purpose of Family Reunification’ is entitled to undertake employment (if he/she is a holder of a residence permit issued on the basis of a single application procedure.
However, it should be taken into consideration that if the third-country national plans to enter into an employment relationship, this should be reported to the regional directorate of the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing responsible for the place where the place of accommodation is located, for having the single permit for employment issued.
- The application for residence permit for the purpose of family reunification shall be assessed by the competent authority by way of the single application procedure, if the third-country national submitted an application for residence permit for gainful employment for the purpose of residence with a view to entering into a contract for employment relationship with a specific employer. Please, click here to access detailed information on the single application procedure. In the single application procedure, in the interest of determining whether or not to support a third-country national taking up employment in Hungary, on general principle the employment centre of the county (Budapest) government agency of jurisdiction by reference to the place of work functions as the competent authority in the first instance, and the minister in charge of employment and labour participates in the second instance as a specialist authority, accordingly it is not necessary to obtain a special work permit.
- Third-country nationals shall certify the fact of registering the place of accommodation with the proof of registration received upon notification of the place of accommodation. Third-country nationals are required to retain the proof of registration and to carry it at all times. When relocating, third-country nationals shall notify the immigration authority electronically upon registration on the electronic platform of the immigration authority for procedure initiation within three days.
- Third-country nationals holding a residence permit shall report the birth of a child – who is also a third-country national – in the territory of Hungary and shall simultaneously supply the following information:
- the natural identification data of the child as provided for by law;
- particulars of the child’s travel document;
- address of the child’s place of accommodation or home address.
Third-country nationals are obliged to report without delay to the immigration authority (the regional directorate of the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing, any police station, or the competent Hungarian diplomatic or consular mission when staying abroad) if their travel document or residence permit is lost, stolen or destroyed. The immigration authority shall confirm receipt of such report in writing. The immigration authority shall be immediately notified in the event that a travel document, which was presumed lost and reported as such, is found subsequently.
Any third-country national who received his/her residence permit for reasons of family reunification shall be required to report to the competent regional directorate of jurisdiction by reference to the place where the residence of the third-country nationals is located if his/her marriage is dissolved or in the event of the death of his/her spouse within 30 days following the date of delivery of the final court ruling for the dissolution of the marriage or the date of the death certificate, with the relevant documents attached.
