Hungary
Hungary · Capital: Budapest
A Central-European EU member with a flat 15% income tax, a large automotive and electronics manufacturing base and one of the continent's most beautiful, affordable capitals.
Migration statistics
Who is arriving
Top source countries and the make-up of recent arrivals into Hungary.
Policy overview
3 visa routes into Hungary
Eligibility, fees, processing times and whether each route leads to permanent residence.
EU Blue Card
SkilledHU-EUBC
Residence for highly qualified non-EU professionals.
Eligibility
- Degree
- Job above the salary threshold
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
HU-EMP
Employer-tied residence permit for third-country workers. It remains open after the separate guest worker permit closed to new applicants on 6 June 2026. Fee EUR 110 when applying abroad (HUF 26,000 online in Hungary).
Eligibility
- Job offer from a Hungarian employer
- Qualifications for the role
Document checklist (10 items)
Core
Professional
Background
Guest Investor Residence Permit
InvestorHU-GIP
Ten-year residence permit, renewable once for another ten years, for buying at least EUR 250,000 of units in a Hungarian National Bank-registered real estate fund, or donating at least EUR 1 million to a public-trust higher-education institution. Guest investor visa fee EUR 110.
Eligibility
- EUR 250,000 in a registered real estate fund, or
- EUR 1,000,000 donation to a qualifying higher-education institution
- Apply for the permit within 30 days of entering on the guest investor visa
Document checklist (11 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Economic context
The numbers behind the move
Pay reflects the local market in Hungary, what you'd typically earn there, not your current salary.
Skill shortages
Sectors actively recruiting from abroad
Where Hungary needs foreign talent most, and what those roles pay.
Automotive & battery
Huge German and Asian auto and EV-battery investment drives labour demand.
Shared services & IT
Budapest is a major regional service-centre and tech hub.
Recent changes
What's changed lately
Recent policy changes that affect migrants, newest first.
No policy changes recorded in the last 90 days. The intelligence agent is monitoring.
Quality of life
What living there feels like
Budapest
Capital & nomad hubA magnificent, low-cost capital with thermal baths, a thriving nomad scene and most jobs.
- Cost index
- 56
- 1-bed rent
- $750
- Quality
- 80
Debrecen
Industrial boom townA fast-industrialising eastern city attracting major battery and electronics plants.
- Cost index
- 46
- 1-bed rent
- $500
- Quality
- 76
Szeged
University cityA sunny university town on the Tisza with a low cost of living.
- Cost index
- 44
- 1-bed rent
- $480
- Quality
- 78
Safety & climate
The reception you can expect
How welcoming the public and political mood is, how safe it is, and how geopolitically stable the country is right now.
Anti-migrant sentiment
trendPolitically restrictive on asylum migration but actively recruits skilled labour for industry.
Higher = more hostile public/political climate.
Geopolitical stability
A composite of governance, security and regional-risk signals. Higher means a more predictable environment for settling long term.
Higher = more stable.
Safety
Safe and walkable; usual big-city pickpocketing in Budapest.
Higher = safer (crime index 30/100).
Where to live
Which Hungary city fits you?
Cities matched to who you are, career, family, retirement, study or remote work. We flag the ones to consider and the ones to approach with care.
Budapest
Grand & affordable
A magnificent, low-cost capital with thermal baths, a thriving nomad scene and most jobs.
Szeged
Sunny & relaxed
A sunny university town on the Tisza with a low cost of living.
Debrecen
Up-and-coming
A fast-industrialising eastern city attracting major battery and electronics plants.
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