Hungary's White Card lets remote employees, or owners of a profitable company outside Hungary, live in Hungary for a year with at least €3,000 a month in net income. It can be extended once.
Checked against the sources at the end on November 2, 2026. This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the official source before you apply.
At a glance
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Visit first | 90 days in any 180 (Schengen) |
| Route for remote workers | White Card residence permit for digital nomads |
| Money you need to show | At least €3,000 a month net, for the 6 months before you apply and throughout your stay, from an employer or company outside Hungary |
| Length | Up to 1 year, extendable once for another year |
| Government fees | Set by Hungary's procedural fee schedule; check the current amount |
| Timeline | Decision within about 30 days |
| Where you apply | At a Hungarian consulate, or through the Enter Hungary platform if you're already in Hungary legally on a visa-free stay |
| Family | Family members generally can't get permits through the White Card |
| Long-term residence | No path to permanent residence; you can't switch to another permit type afterward |
| US taxes | Still due every year. See our US taxes and banking guide |
Who qualifies
Hungary's White Card lets remote employees, or owners of a profitable company outside Hungary, live in Hungary for a year with at least €3,000 a month in net income. It can be extended once.
- Remote employees of companies outside Hungary: yes.
- Freelancers and business owners: not on this route; check the alternatives below.
- Income: At least €3,000 a month net, for the 6 months before you apply and throughout your stay, from an employer or company outside Hungary. That's about $3,360 a month.
Open question: Hungary's fees are set in a separate schedule; confirm before applying.
Documents
Order US documents first: apostilles and FBI checks are the slowest part.
- Passport
- Proof of employment with a non-Hungarian employer, or ownership of a profitable foreign company
- Proof of €3,000+ monthly net income for 6 months
- Health insurance or proof you can pay for care
- Proof of accommodation
Step by step from the US
- Check your numbers against the rule above, using the last 6 to 12 months of income.
- Order US documents: FBI background check, apostilles and translations where needed.
- Apply: At a Hungarian consulate, or through the Enter Hungary platform if you're already in Hungary legally on a visa-free stay.
- Buy health insurance that meets the requirement for your whole stay.
- Arrive and register your address and any residence card on time.
Taxes
- More than 183 days generally makes you a Hungarian tax resident (15% flat income tax)
- The US-Hungary tax treaty ended in 2024, so double tax is managed only through US credits
- The US-Hungary totalization agreement still applies
- US citizens still file a US return every year. The foreign earned income exclusion is up to $132,900 for 2026; the foreign tax credit is the alternative. See our US taxes guide.
Common mistakes
- Freelancers serving many clients don't fit unless they own a company
- Working for Hungarian clients gets the permit withdrawn
- Family can't join on it
Where to live in Hungary
Our city guides cover costs in dollars, neighborhoods, live weather and the time difference: Budapest · Debrecen · Szeged · Pécs.
Moving with a partner or kids? See Moving abroad with family.
Sources
Checked on November 2, 2026. Where sources disagree, we say so above.
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