Hungary White Card Visa For Digital Nomads

Hungary, one of Eastern Europe’s most beautiful and popular countries, is an excellent tourist destination with an abundance of attractions. People who visit Budapest can enjoy the country’s stunning architecture, including palaces, castles, the parliament building, and other natural attractions.

Moreover, people who are into the outdoors can enjoy national parks, caves, thermal lakes, waterfalls, and other natural attractions. Eastern European enthusiasts can also rest assured that they can easily travel to other nearby destinations, either by train or direct flights. Most western tourists can visit Hungary for 90 days. However, the Hungarian government has launched a new digital nomad visa program, which allows people to spend up to two years living and working in Hungary.

Overview of Budapest, Hungary

The Hungary White Card Overview

The Hungary White card, also known as a digital nomad visa, is a new residence permit allowing foreigners to live and work in Hungary. Once approved, you can live in Hungary for one year and then extend your visa for another year. Like most regional digital nomad visa programs, this visa allows foreigners to work in Hungary if they work for a company outside of Hungary, either as freelancers or employees. This visa also gives the visa holder the right to travel visa-free throughout the EU, which is convenient for those who want to explore the region. This visa is best for digital nomads who plan to stay in Hungary for more than 90 days out of a 180-day period.

Main street in Budapest

Why Hungary is an Attractive Base for Digital Nomads

Hungary is the perfect place for digital nomads interested in the abundance of tourism offerings in Hungary but who also want to explore the region. The relatively lower cost of living is another easy sell for digital nomads. The average monthly salary in Hungary after taxes is around €816 ($848 USD), so digital nomads who make €2,000 ($2,078 USD) or more every month should not have a problem living comfortably and saving money, especially if they choose a smaller city over Budapest. Rent for one-bedroom apartments in Budapest starts at around $400 USD/month, and Airbnb listings tend to be more expensive, starting at about $500 USD/month.

Another appeal of Hungary is that digital nomads can easily spend time travelling to regional countries. Hungary borders countries such as Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania, and Serbia. Budapest’s airport also offers over 132 flights to different countries, so one could easily find a non-stop flight to many attractive tourist destinations in the area.

Internet connection will not be a problem in Hungary as you can get 300Mb for only $16 USD monthly. Prices can vary between cities, and the only real downside in Hungary is that you may not get 5G coverage everywhere in Hungary.

Palace in Gyor, Hungary

Who Can Apply?

You can apply if you meet the definition of a digital nomad or remote employee. Hungary defines this as a non-citizen/non-EU citizen who performs work remotely through advanced digital solutions. This visa is only relevant for people who want to work for a company in Hungary, as you need to show that you work for or own a company registered outside of Hungary. Hungary also has a minimum income requirement for applicants, which is modest relative to other programs. Applicants must prove that they make €2,000/month ($2,078 USD) and have made this amount consistently during the past six months. Hungary also does not allow you to apply if you own shares in any company in Hungary. If you meet all of these requirements, then you must submit an application with supporting information.

Chain Bridge, Budapest, Hungary

Application Process

In order to apply, you need to submit the following information:

• Proof of accommodation in Hungary. This can include hotel reservations and Airbnb reservations
• Financial documents proving that you make €2,000/month ($2,078 USD) ( tax returns/contracts/pay slips/bank statements/etc.)
• Travel Insurance for the duration of the trip
• A valid return flight ticket
• A valid passport and two passport photos

The application fee varies depending on where you apply. The application fee is around $125 USD if you apply in your home country, while it's between $75-112 USD to extend your visa for another year in Hungary. Once you submit your application, you should hear back within 30 days. This makes it key to apply well in advance and to have a backup plan if there is an issue with your visa.

One crucial factor to note is that the process continues once you receive approval after submitting your application. Once your application is approved, you have 30 days to enter Hungary and apply for your white card. This white card gives you the right to stay in Hungary for one year and renew for another year if you would like.

This visa program is less family-friendly than other programs, as one person cannot apply for the entire family. If you want to bring your family with you, they must apply separately. This could create a conflict if only one family member works. If you are interested in another visa program that allows you to bring dependents, then programs like Malta, Spain, and Portugal could be better options for you.

It is also important to remember that you will be considered a tax resident after you spend 183 days in Hungary. They do tax worldwide but have a low flat tax rate of 15% for personal income tax.

The Szechenyi bath in Budapest, Hungary

Other Options

This is one of the best ways to easily spend time in Hungary, as other residency programs in Hungary are more complicated and require you to invest. The Hungary Residency by Investment program is a solid option if you want to spend more than two years in Hungary. However, for this option, you must invest €300,000 ($311,781 USD) in bonds with a five-year maturity. Some people prefer investing in real estate instead of bonds, as one could make more money with the second option. The Hungary Real Estate Residency Program allows you to gain residency if you purchase real estate for €200,000 ($207,854 USD) or more. This option is also appealing because you can also bring family members with you.

However, one of the best ways to decide if the above two options are a good fit for you is to spend 6-12 months in the country on a digital nomad visa. This would give you enough time to learn about the country and the real estate market to see if this is the best option for you.

Buda District, Budapest

Takeaway

Hungary has a very straightforward digital nomad visa program, which allows individuals to spend up to two years in Hungary. This is a great way to get your feet wet and see if long-term residency in Hungary is really something you want. The option to extend after the first year makes it stand out among other digital nomad visa programs. Furthermore, the minimum monthly income of €2,000/month ($2,078 USD) is well below most European digital nomad visa programs.