Hungary residence permit for Russians in 2026
Russian citizens can only work for an employer in Hungary on the National Card: ordinary work permits are closed to them. We cover which Hungarian residence permits Russians can get in 2026, what they cost and how to apply.
In short
- Work - only on the National Card: up to 2 years, extendable by up to 3, with no labour market test.
- Remote work - the White Card with income from $3,400 a month, for a year plus one more.
- By investment - a 10-year guest investor permit, a real estate fund from $290,000.
- The fee for a permit is about $130 per person.
- The catch: ordinary employment permits are not issued to Russian citizens in 2026.
In detail
Russian citizens get Hungarian residence through three main routes: the National Card for work, the White Card for remote work and the guest investor permit for investing in a real estate fund. The permit fee is about $130 per person. The investor route is covered in detail on our Hungary residence page.
Which Hungarian residence permits Russians can get
The 2023 immigration law has applied since 2024 and sharply cut the list of work routes. For Russian citizens five grounds actually work in 2026.
| Ground | Main condition | Permit term |
|---|---|---|
| National Card | an employment contract in Hungary, agency work or managing your own company | up to 2 years, extendable by up to 3 |
| White Card | remote work for a foreign company, income from $3,400 a month | 1 year plus 1 more |
| Guest investor | a real estate fund from $290,000 for 5 years or a university donation from $1.2 million | 10 years plus 10 more |
| Study | enrolment at a Hungarian university | for the study period |
| Family | marriage or kinship with a Hungarian citizen or resident | in line with the relative's status |
What is missing: Hungary accepts guest workers from no country at all, and the ordinary employment permit is issued only to citizens of countries on a government list. Russia is not on it.
The National Card: work with no labour market test
Since July 2024 the National Card has been open to citizens of eight countries, including Russia and Belarus. It is a residence and work permit in one document and noticeably simpler than the ordinary work route.
- Ground - an employment contract with a Hungarian employer, work through a staffing agency or a management role in your own company.
- No labour market test: the employer does not have to prove no Hungarian can fill the job.
- No quota, unlike other work permits.
- Family moves under family reunification.
- Term - up to 2 years, then an extension of up to 3 years.
For business owners this is the clearest route: your own Hungarian company plus a director's role. We register the company through the company registration in Hungary page.
The White Card and residence by investment
The White Card is for those who work remotely for a foreign employer or their own foreign company. You need income from $3,400 a month for the 6 months before applying. The card is issued for a year and extended once. Working for Hungarian clients is not allowed, family members get no separate status, and White Card years do not count towards permanent residence.
A guest investor buys units of a real estate fund from the immigration service's list for from $290,000 and holds them for 5 years. The permit is issued for 10 years with a further 10-year extension, and the spouse and children get status through family reunification. There is no direct apartment purchase in the programme, but you can buy a home separately - see our article on buying an apartment in Hungary.
How to apply for Hungarian residence from Russia
- Choose the ground and gather proof: a contract, income statements or a fund certificate.
- Find housing: a lease or a property document in Hungary.
- Take out insurance for the whole term.
- Translate documents into Hungarian and apostille Russian certificates.
- Apply through the immigration service portal, at a Hungarian consulate or in person in Hungary while legally present.
- Get an entry visa to collect the card if you applied from abroad.
The immigration service decides within 70 days, and on the investor route in about 21 days.
How much Hungarian residence costs
The state fee for a permit is about $130 for each family member. Beyond that the budget depends on the route: for the National and White Cards the main costs are housing, insurance and translations, for an investor - the investment from $290,000, which can be recovered at the unit value after 5 years. We will calculate the total for your family in the chat, and registering a Hungarian company with our support starts from $12,000.
After the move you become a Hungarian tax resident by living in the country for more than 183 days a year, and income tax is 15%. More on the taxes in Hungary page, and our tax residency calculator helps count the days. Hungary does not require giving up your previous citizenship, and naturalization is generally possible after 8 years of living in the country.
A fee of about $130, but not every route is open to Russians
The law does not stop you from applying on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fee: an application on a ground closed to Russian citizens, a contract that does not fit the National Card, White Card income below the threshold in even one month, a fund that is not on the immigration service's list, Russian certificates without an apostille and Hungarian translation. We choose the ground for your situation, register a company for the National Card, prepare documents and translations and handle the application through to the card. We guarantee professional work and a transparent process, and in most cases a result on the first application.
Registering a Hungarian company starts from $12,000; residence support depends on the ground and family - a manager will calculate it in the chat.
How we help
The law does not stop you from applying on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fees: a ground that is closed to Russian citizens, income below the threshold in even one month, a fund that is not on the immigration service's list, certificates without an apostille. We choose the ground, register the company, prepare documents and translations and handle the application through to the card and renewals.
Hungary residence by investment
The real estate fund and donation, timing and family.
Learn more →Hungary's White Card
Residence for remote work.
Learn more →A company in Hungary
Registering a business for the National Card.
Learn more →FAQ
Can a Russian citizen get Hungarian residence in 2026?
What is Hungary's National Card?
How much does Hungarian residence cost?
Can you get Hungarian residence by buying property?
What income do you need for Hungary's White Card?
How long does a Hungarian residence application take?
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