Ready to base yourself in the heart of Europe and keep working for your employer back home? Hungary’s new Digital Nomad Visa—officially called the White Card—lets you live in Budapest (or beyond) for up to two years while you clock in remotely. In this guide, you’ll find every requirement, step and insider tip you won’t see on other sites.

What Is the White Card?

The White Card is Hungary’s special permit for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who work exclusively for foreign companies or as independent contractors for clients outside Hungary. It isn’t a traditional work permit—you can’t pick up a local job—but it grants you legal residency in Hungary with full Schengen Area visa-free travel for up to 90 days in 180, opening Hungary’s vibrant cities and countryside to global talent via two-year consecutive stays.

“This permit opens Hungary’s vibrant cities and countryside to global talent,” says Anna Nagy of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Who Qualifies?

Nationality and Remote-Work Status

• Must hold citizenship outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland. See the official SchengenVisaInfo.com announcement for details on eligible nationalities.
• Income must derive from employers or clients based abroad.

Income and Savings Criteria

1. Gross monthly income of at least €3,000 (raised from €2,000 in 2024). Verified by the Hungarian Immigration Office guidelines.
2. Proof of €10,000 in liquid savings on top of six-month income records.
3. Bank statements covering the six months before application; see a sample document checklist on Anywhere’s Hungary Digital Nomad Visa guide.

Health, Accommodation & Criminal Record

• Valid international health insurance (starting around €15 /month); compare plans at NomadInsurance.io.
• Proof of a rented or owned dwelling offering ≥ 6 m² living space per person, in line with EU Regulation 2014/240 on student accommodation standards.
• Clean criminal background check from every country you’ve lived in over the past five years; see the Hungarian government’s consular service page.

No Family Reunification

Each family member must submit their own application and meet full White Card criteria individually, as confirmed by Global Citizen Solutions.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Determine your entry type
   • If you need a visa to enter Schengen, apply for a long-stay (D-type) visa at your local Hungarian consulate.
   • Visa-exempt nationals can skip straight to the online White Card request.
2. Gather documents
   • Passport valid for at least one year beyond your planned stay.
   • Income, savings and health insurance proofs.
   • Tenancy contract or property deed.
   • Return-ticket booking or proof of departure funds; guidance available at Expatica’s Hungary White Card overview.
3. Submit your application online or in person; pay €110 processing fee (as outlined in the Expatica fee schedule).
4. Await decision (up to 90 days) and, once approved, collect your White Card at your consulate or Immigration Office in Hungary.

How Long Can You Stay?

• Validity: 12 months, renewable once for an additional 12 months.
• Two-Year Limit: After two years total, you must leave Hungary and reapply from abroad if you wish to return; see reapplication rules on iVisa’s White Card FAQ.
• No Path to Permanent Residency: The White Card does not lead to citizenship or permanent residency—you’ll need a long-term permit such as the EU Blue Card or family reunification visa; for more details, refer to DigitalNomads.World’s visa comparison.

Perks & Practicalities

• Benefits:
• Live in Budapest, Szeged or lakeside villages at a lower cost than most Western capitals.
• Immerse yourself in rich history, thermal spas and a booming startup scene.
• Travel visa-free across the Schengen zone for work or weekend trips.
• Key considerations:
• Hungarian can be tough to pick up—English is common in urban centres.
• Bureaucracy moves slowly; book your visa interview and medicals early.

How Hungary Stacks Up

Compared to Portugal’s D8 or Spain’s new Self-Sufficiency Visa, Hungary’s White Card sits in the mid-range on cost and complexity. Its €3,000 income bar is higher than some neighbours, but the two-year total stay beats shorter digital-nomad permits elsewhere.

Your Next Move

Polish your résumé, pull together your bank statements and lock in that rental. Once your White Card is in hand, you’re free to tap away on your laptop in a ruin pub in Budapest’s Jewish Quarter, unwind in a countryside spa town or roam Europe on weekends. Hungary is ready for you—are you ready for Hungary?