Updated
GL-W-01
Glossary · Citizenship and residency programs
White Card - White Card (Hungary)
White Card — a Hungarian residence permit for remote workers (digital nomads) employed by a foreign employer.
01 / In 30 seconds
The short answer
- What it is
- The White Card — Hungary’s residence permit for digital nomads
- Who it is for
- Remote workers employed by a foreign employer
- What it gives
- The right to live in Hungary while working remotely
- Condition
- Income from outside Hungary and a sufficient amount
- Can you prepare
- Yes: evidence remote income and employment
02 / In plain words
What White Card means
The White Card is Hungary’s residence permit for digital nomads: remote workers and freelancers who work for a foreign employer or clients but want to live in Hungary. It is not an investment programme but a status for those whose income comes from outside Hungary.
The key condition is work for a company or clients outside Hungary and an evidenced stable income above the set threshold. The White Card allows you to live legally in an EU country while continuing remote employment, and gives a base for life in Europe without being tied to a local employer. It is usually issued for a set term with the possibility of renewal.
It is important to understand the limits of the status: the White Card is not intended for work for Hungarian companies and is not a direct route to citizenship like investment programmes. It is a convenient tool for mobile professionals who want to live in the EU. We help evidence your remote employment and income properly so that the application is approved.
A case from practice
An IT specialist works remotely for a foreign company and wants to live in Europe. The White Card fits: they evidence the contract with a foreign employer and a stable income above the threshold and receive a Hungarian residence permit. We help gather the evidence the way the authority expects.
Who the White Card suits
- Remote workers employed by a foreign employer
- Freelancers with foreign clients
- Digital nomads in the EU
- Living in Europe without a local job
- A trial move to an EU country
- Mobile IT specialists
03 / What it covers
What matters about the White Card
Who it is for
- Remote workers
- Freelancers
- Digital nomads
Conditions
- Income from outside Hungary
- Above the threshold
- Stable and evidenced
What it gives
- Living in Hungary
- Status in the EU
- Renewal possible
Limits
- Not for local work
- Not a direct route to a passport
- For a term
04 / How it works
How to obtain the White Card
Eligibility check
Evidence of income and employment
Filing the application
Review
Residence permit and life in Hungary
05 / Key facts
What you need to know
01
The White Card — Hungary’s residence permit for digital nomads
02
For remote workers employed by a foreign employer
03
Income from outside Hungary above the threshold is required
04
It gives the right to live in an EU country while working remotely
05
Not for work for Hungarian companies
Common mistakes
- Planning to work for a Hungarian company — the status is not for that
- Not evidencing a stable remote income
- Treating the White Card as a route to citizenship
- Underestimating the minimum income requirements
- Not accounting for the term of the status and the renewal rules
06 / Expert advice
How to prepare in advance
For the White Card, remote employment for a foreign employer or clients and a stable income above the threshold are evidenced in advance: contracts, statements, certificates. The limits of the status are understood — it is for living in the EU with remote work, not for local employment or a fast passport. Then the application is approved without questions.
What we do for you. We help digital nomads obtain Hungary’s White Card: we properly evidence remote employment for a foreign employer and income above the threshold. We explain the limits of the status so that expectations match reality, and secure approval without unnecessary requests.
Anna KovalevskayaLead lawyer for EU citizenship and residency, 12 years of practice
07 / Questions
Frequently asked questions
The White Card is Hungary’s residence permit for digital nomads: remote workers and freelancers employed by a foreign employer who want to live in Hungary.
Those who work remotely for a company or clients outside Hungary and have a stable income above the set threshold.
No. The White Card is not intended for work for Hungarian companies — only for remote employment for a foreign employer or clients.
Not directly, unlike investment programmes. It is a status for living in the EU with remote work, for a set term with the possibility of renewal.
A stable, evidenced income above the set threshold, coming from outside Hungary. We check the exact amount and rules for your case.
Usually for a set term with the possibility of renewal. We help with both the initial application and the subsequent renewal of the status.
INITIAL ASSESSMENT
Tell us what outcome your family needs
We will design a solution for your case, choose the country and the right status, and take the whole process through to the result.
