Hungary Visa Guide 2026: Tourism, Study, Work and ETIAS Ahead

(HUNGARY) Hungary’s visa rules in early 2026 come with two big deadlines: a relaunched Golden Visa route for long-term residence, and mandatory ETIAS travel authorisation for most visa‑free visitors from late 2026. If you’re planning tourism, business, study, or work, the right category and timing now matter more because the EU’s Entry‑Exit System started biometric tracking on October 12, 2025.

Hungary has applied Schengen rules since December 21, 2007, so short stays follow the 90 days in any 180‑day period limit across the Schengen Area. Citizens of the EU, the EEA, Switzerland, and more than 50 visa‑exempt countries can enter with a passport alone, but that passport must have been issued within 10 years and remain valid for at least three months after leaving Schengen.

Your first decision: visa, visa-free travel, or ETIAS

Nationals of countries that aren’t visa‑exempt must get a Schengen visa (Type C) for trips up to 90 days, or a national long‑stay visa (Type D) for stays over 90 days. From late 2026, visa‑exempt travellers also need ETIAS, an online pre‑screening linked to the EU’s systems, even though it isn’t a visa.

• ETIAS cost: €7 for travellers aged 18 to 70; free for under 18 and over 70.
• Typical response time: minutes to days.
• Validity: up to three years or until your passport expires.
• Entries: multiple entries allowed under the 90/180 rule.

Apply on the official ETIAS site using your passport details and trip purpose.

The Hungary visa journey in five stages

Most applicants move through the same core process, whether they seek a short Schengen visit or a longer national stay.

1. Pick the correct category and check deadlines (Day 0).
2. Prepare documents and translations (Weeks 1–3).
3. Book an appointment and give biometrics (Weeks 2–6).
4. Wait for a decision and respond to questions (15–45 days for Type C).
5. Travel, then stay compliant after arrival (ongoing).

Short-stay Schengen visas (Type C): tourism and business

A Type C visa covers tourism, visiting friends, and business meetings such as conferences or trade talks, but your stay across Schengen still cannot exceed 90 days in 180 days. For business travel, consulates expect an invitation from a Hungarian company that matches your itinerary.

Required documents typically include:

• The Schengen visa policy.
• A passport with two blank pages, issued within 10 years and valid for at least three months after leaving Schengen.
• One recent photo.
• Flight and hotel bookings or a host invitation.
• Travel medical insurance covering €30,000 for treatment and evacuation.
• Proof of funds — often six months of bank statements and a practical budget around €50 per day.
• A clear cover letter explaining purpose, itinerary, and ties that ensure you will return (work, school, family).

Fees and processing:

• Fees: €80 for adults; €40 for children aged 6 to 12 (non‑refundable).
• Processing time: standard 15 days, up to 45 days for complex cases.

Booking and interview:

• Book your interview through the Hungarian embassy, consulate, or a VFS Global centre serving your country.
• Arrive ready for biometrics and questions about your plans.

Long-stay national visas (Type D): study, work, and family reunification

A Type D visa is required for living in Hungary beyond 90 days — for university programs, employment, or joining close relatives with status. Authorities perform a more detailed review of the purpose of stay and supporting documents.

Student requirements:

• Proof of acceptance from a Hungarian school.
• Evidence of funds to cover living costs.

Worker requirements:

• Job contract and employer declaration on salary and accommodation.
• Labour market test (to check if the position could be filled locally).

Family reunification:

• Marriage certificates, birth records, and the sponsor’s Hungarian documents.
• Minors: birth certificate plus notarised consent if travelling without both parents.

Document handling:

• Keep translations ready; records should be in English or Hungarian, with apostilles where required.

Fees and timing:

• Fees: vary by category, typically €60 to €110.
• Processing: Type D and residence decisions often take 2 to 8 months.

Golden Visa route: the 2024 guest investor visa and the 10-year residence permit

Hungary’s Golden Visa pathway, relaunched in 2024 as a guest investor program, begins with a six‑month multiple‑entry visa that lets you enter and complete investment steps. You must meet the investment requirement within 93 days of first entry to keep the route open.

Investment options:

• €250,000 investment into a real estate fund, with 40% placed in Hungarian properties.
• €1 million donation to education foundations.

Family inclusion:

• Immediate family (spouse, children, and parents) can be included, making the route attractive for multi‑generation planning.

Timing:

• Approvals from entry to residence have been running 2 to 8 months under the updated scheme.

Outcome:

• After receiving the residence card, you gain Schengen‑wide visa‑free travel, though stays in other Schengen countries are still limited to 90 days in 180 days.

Note: VisaVerge.com reports interest surged after the 2024 relaunch, driven by families seeking a stable EU base and predictable residence renewal.

After arrival: documents to carry, limits to watch, and how EES changes border checks

Carry the same evidence you used to apply, because border officers can ask for accommodation proof, insurance, or return plans. The Entry‑Exit System (EES), which began biometric tracking on October 12, 2025, records entries and exits, so overstays are easier to detect.

• Schengen extensions for Type C visas are rare.
• If you need more time, plan for a Type D route before the initial 90 days end.
• Violations can lead to fines, deportation, or 3 to 5 year entry bans.

For official requirements and local procedures, consult the Hungarian immigration authority at the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing.

When a case is refused: appeal windows and a smarter reapplication

Hungary, like other Schengen states, refuses applications when documents are incomplete, funds look weak, or the trip purpose does not match the evidence. The guide cites a Schengen refusal rate of 35%, so treat paperwork as seriously as the travel plan.

If refused:

• You will receive written reasons.
• You can appeal at the consulate within 15 days.
• Alternatively, reapply after addressing the deficiencies.

Because fees are not refunded, reapplications make sense only after adding stronger evidence — clearer bank history, a stronger invitation, or missing documents.

Important: Fees are non‑refundable even if refused. Fix documentation gaps before reapplying.

Time planning for 2026 travel and longer-term options

Short visits:

• Start preparing 15 to 60 days before travel to secure an appointment, correct translations, and meet airline boarding checks.
• If visa‑exempt, include ETIAS in your timeline from late 2026 — remember to obtain a new authorisation if you renew your passport.

Long stays and work/study moves:

• Plan around the 2 to 8 months Type D timeline.
• Avoid quitting jobs or ending leases until you hold the visa sticker and know the start date.

Golden Visa applicants:

• Budget time for fund onboarding or donation paperwork; these steps often determine the actual calendar.

Long-term residency and citizenship:

• Long-term residents can later pursue permanent status.
• Citizenship route noted after eight years, or sooner with family ties, plus an A2 Hungarian language requirement.
• Dual citizenship is allowed.
• Naturalisation decisions for approved applicants are listed as taking 8–12 months.

Quick reference table: fees and typical timelines

Key takeaways

• Choose the right category early: Type C, Type D, Golden Visa, or ETIAS.
• EES biometric entry/exit recording (since Oct 12, 2025) increases the importance of strict compliance.
• Prepare full, translated documentation and sufficient proof of funds to reduce the high refusal risk (~35%).
• Respect the 90/180 rule and plan timelines: 15–60 days for short stays, 2–8 months for long stays, and specific Golden Visa windows (93 days to complete investment steps).

For official updates and procedural details, use the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing and the official ETIAS site.