White Card
White Card (Hungary)
White Card — a Hungarian residence permit for remote workers (digital nomads) employed by a foreign employer.
- 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
In plain words
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.
Who the White Card suits
What matters about the White Card
- Remote workers
- Freelancers
- Digital nomads
- Income from outside Hungary
- Above the threshold
- Stable and evidenced
- Living in Hungary
- Status in the EU
- Renewal possible
- Not for local work
- Not a direct route to a passport
- For a term
How to obtain the White Card
- 01Eligibility check
- 02Evidence of income and employment
- 03Filing the application
- 04Review
- 05Residence permit and life in Hungary
What you need to know
- The White Card — Hungary’s residence permit for digital nomads
- For remote workers employed by a foreign employer
- Income from outside Hungary above the threshold is required
- It gives the right to live in an EU country while working remotely
- 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
What this means for a BRIDGES client
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.
Frequently asked questions
01 /What is the White Card?
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.
02 /Who does it suit?
Those who work remotely for a company or clients outside Hungary and have a stable income above the set threshold.
03 /Can you work for a Hungarian firm?
No. The White Card is not intended for work for Hungarian companies — only for remote employment for a foreign employer or clients.
04 /Does it lead to citizenship?
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.
05 /What income is required?
A stable, evidenced income above the set threshold, coming from outside Hungary. We check the exact amount and rules for your case.
06 /For what term is it issued?
Usually for a set term with the possibility of renewal. We help with both the initial application and the subsequent renewal of the status.
See also
Read next
This material has undergone editorial review by BRIDGES.
Live in the EU and work remotely?
We will obtain Hungary’s White Card: we will evidence your remote income and employment the way the authority expects — through to the residence permit.