A free PDF guide — residence, not a visa
A guide to the WhiteCard of Hungary
A full residence permit for remote work: a residence card, the Schengen area and inexpensive living in the middle of Europe. We set out the net income threshold, the two-year limit and what to do next.
- PDF in English
- Free of charge
- Verified on 12.08.2026
- Sent by email, WhatsApp or Telegram
Preliminary information is not a guarantee of approval. On this ground the family is not included in the application.
01 / The essentials first
What to know about the status before you file
Four things that decide the term and who can be in the application.
- This is residence, not a visa
The White Card is a full residence permit: a residence card, registration at an address and life in a Schengen country.
- A net income from €3,000 a month
Evidenced for the last 6 months. The sum counted is the one after tax.
- A year plus a year
The card is issued for 1 year and renewed for a further 1. You may not stay longer on this ground.
- The middle of Europe, and Schengen
Budapest makes a convenient base: travel in the Schengen area on the usual footing, and living costs that are low by EU standards.
02 / Income
What you will have to evidence
The threshold is counted net over six months and does not depend on the family.
03 / Two steps
The first card and the renewal
On this ground only two years are available: a year and one renewal.
The values were checked against the official material on 12.08.2026. Only the rows for which there is no official wording are marked separately.
| Criterion | The first cardA permit for 1 year | The renewalA further 1 year |
|---|---|---|
| The term | 1 year | 1 year |
| Income | from €3,000 net | from €3,000 net |
| The evidence | 6 months | the period since the card was issued |
| Where you file | a consulate, or in the country | the Hungarian immigration service |
| The family | not included on this ground | not included on this ground |
| What comes next | there are no further renewals | a change of ground, or leaving |
| The Schengen area | travel is permitted | travel is permitted |
- The term
- 1 year
- 1 year
- Income
- from €3,000 net
- from €3,000 net
- The evidence
- 6 months
- the period since the card was issued
- Where you file
- a consulate, or in the country
- the Hungarian immigration service
- The family
- not included on this ground
- not included on this ground
- What comes next
- there are no further renewals
- a change of ground, or leaving
- The Schengen area
- travel is permitted
- travel is permitted
After two years the ground of the stay has to change — that is planned in advance.
04 / The country
What the country looks like
Briefly about the country and about what sets the terms of the status.
- The essentials firstThe key facts of the programme: what decides the matter.
- A comparisonThe terms of the programme in one table.
- How the work runsThe process step by step — from the check to the documents.
- The analysisWhat is checked before the status is granted.
- The limitsWhat affects the timings, the costs and keeping the status.
- Your teamWho runs the case and what each specialist answers for.
05 / The order of work
How the process runs
Most of the time goes on evidencing six months of net income.
- The employment is checked
The employer or the clients have to be outside Hungary, and the work has to be remote.
- Six months of income
Statements for 6 months showing €3,000 net a month or more.
- The documents
Insurance, housing in Hungary, a certificate of no criminal record, contracts with clients.
- Filing
The application is filed at a consulate, or with the immigration service if your stay is lawful.
- Biometrics and the card
Biometrics are given and the card is issued for 1 year. The process takes 1-2 months.
- The renewal
The status is renewed once, for a further 1 year, while the conditions hold.
07 / The check
What is examined in the application
That the work is remote, the net income, the housing and the insurance.
- That the work is remote
It is evidenced that the work is done for a foreign employer or foreign clients.
- The net income
The sum after tax over six months is examined: certificates, statements, tax documents.
- Housing and insurance
An address in Hungary and a medical policy for the whole of the term.
- No criminal record
A certificate from the country of nationality, apostilled and translated.
The difference between gross and net income is a common reason for refusal.
08 / The limits
What to take into account in advance
Five limits, the chief of them the ceiling of two years.
Two years at mostA year plus one renewal
You may not stay longer on this ground: another status is needed.
The family is not includedThe ground is individual
A spouse and children need a ground of their own to stay.
Hungarian clients are excludedIncome from abroad only
Working for local companies ends the right to the status.
The time does not count towards permanent residenceThe years do not accumulate
Time on the White Card is not counted towards permanent residence.
Tax residenceAfter 183 days
A long stay brings tax obligations in Hungary.
09 / Your team
Who runs your case
The work is led by specialists who file with the Hungarian migration authority.
The editorial record
The material was prepared and checked by
- First published
- 12 August 2026
- Last updated
- 12 August 2026
The official sources
- Act XC of 2023Nemzeti Jogszabálytár, Hungary · checked 12.08.2026The basis of the White Card, the income requirements and the terms of the status.
- The National Directorate-General for Aliens PolicingOrszágos Idegenrendészeti Főigazgatóság · checked 12.08.2026How to file, the biometrics and the renewal of the card.
- The Hungarian tax authorityNemzeti Adó- és Vámhivatal · checked 12.08.2026The rules on tax residence during a long stay.
10 / Common questions
Questions about the White Card
How much do I have to earn?
From €3,000 net a month, evidenced for 6 months.
How long is the card issued for?
For 1 year, with a single renewal for a further 1 year.
May I bring the family?
Not on this ground. Members of the family need a status of their own.
May I work for Hungarian companies?
No, the ground is work for clients outside the country.
Does the time count towards permanent residence?
No, time on the White Card is not counted towards permanent residence.
Does the status give the Schengen area?
Yes, travel in the Schengen area is permitted on the usual footing.
What happens after two years?
You have to change the ground of your stay — to business, for instance — or leave.
How long does the process take?
1-2 months from the filing of a complete pack.
Free of charge
Take the guide and a check on your income
We will send the PDF with the terms and a preliminary check on your situation.
- The net income threshold and the evidence
- The term of the card and the single renewal
- What to do after two years
- The limits on the family and on clients