Spouse
The spouse of a third-country national sponsor or a Hungarian citizen can potentially qualify.
Registered partners recognised under the applicable Hungarian legislation can also fall within this category.
🇭🇺 Hungary
Family Reunification
Bring Your Family to Hungary
← Back to Hungary
Hungary provides a Family Reunification residence pathway for eligible family members of Hungarian citizens and qualifying foreign residents.
Eligibility depends significantly on the residence status of the sponsor and the relationship between the applicant and the sponsor.
CETO Global Immigration Consulting & Partners assists international families in assessing eligibility and coordinates the residence process together with qualified legal and immigration professionals.
What is Family Reunification?
Depending on the circumstances, the sponsor can include:
Family Reunification allows qualifying third-country national family members to join an eligible sponsor legally residing in Hungary.
- A Hungarian Citizen
- Holder of an Eligible Hungarian Residence Permit
- Holder of Certain Long-Term Residence Statuses
- Holder of Certain Residence Cards
- Recognised Refugee
- Other Qualifying Sponsor Under Hungarian Law
Who Qualifies as a Family Member?
Under the applicable Hungarian rules, qualifying family members can include:
Minor Children
Minor children of the sponsor and spouse, adopted children, and foster children.
Dependent minor children under the sponsor's or the spouse's parental custody.
Parent of a Minor Hungarian Child
A person who has and exercises parental custody and lives in the same household with a minor Hungarian child.
Certain Dependent Parents
Under specific circumstances, dependent parents of the sponsor or the sponsor's spouse may potentially qualify.
Certain Dependent Relatives
In specific circumstances, certain siblings or ascendant family members who are unable to support themselves due to health reasons.
Important – Not Every Residence Permit Allows Family Reunification
Current restricted categories include:
Hungarian residence permits provide significantly different family rights. Family Reunification is generally not available where the sponsor holds certain residence categories.
Guest Self-Employment Restriction
- Seasonal Employment
- Residence for Employment
- Employment for the Purpose of Investment
- Guest Worker Residence
- White Card
- Student Residence
- Post-Study Job Search / Business Start
- Training Residence
- Traineeship Residence
- Voluntary Service Residence
During the first year from issuance of Guest Self-Employment Residence, Family Reunification is generally not available based on that permit. After the applicable period, eligibility can potentially arise subject to current requirements.
Residence Categories With Family Options
Family Reunification can potentially be available where the sponsor holds an eligible residence status such as:
Important: Eligibility must always be verified according to the sponsor's exact residence status.
EU Blue Card
Hungarian Card
Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT)
Research Residence
Guest Investor Residence
Certain Long-Term Residence Statuses
Guest Investor Families
Hungary's Guest Investor Residence pathway provides particularly strong family residence possibilities.
Eligible family members of a Guest Investor Residence holder can potentially receive Family Reunification Residence for up to 10 years, subject to the validity of the sponsor's residence permit and applicable requirements.
Up to 10 Years Validity
Proof of Family Relationship
Applicants must demonstrate the qualifying family relationship with evidence such as:
- Marriage Certificate
- Birth Certificate
- Adoption Documentation
- Other Credible Evidence of Family Relationship
Foreign documents may require legalisation, an Apostille, certified translation, or domestic registration depending on the circumstances.
Financial Resources & Core Requirements
Financial Resources
Family Financial Support
The applicant must demonstrate sufficient lawful resources to cover living expenses, accommodation, healthcare, and return or onward travel.
Evidence can include bank statements, savings, regular employment income, or tax authority documentation.
A qualifying family member can undertaken to financially support the applicant, which may require a notarised declaration and evidence of the sponsor's capacity.
Accommodation
The applicant must demonstrate suitable accommodation in Hungary.
Evidence can include a residential lease agreement, property ownership, accommodation provided by courtesy, or a reservation.
Healthcare
Applicants must demonstrate access to comprehensive healthcare services or sufficient financial resources to cover healthcare expenses.
Application Process
- 01
Submission From Outside Hungary
Where the applicant does not hold a residence permit and is not entitled to visa-free entry, the application is generally submitted at a Hungarian Embassy or Consulate.
- 02
Visa-Free Applicants
Qualifying third-country nationals who can enter Hungary visa-free may generally submit the application during their stay via Enter Hungary or a Regional Directorate.
- 03
Biometrics
Applicants must provide a facial photograph, fingerprints (if over the applicable age), and a signature specimen.
- 04
Processing
The official procedural administration period is 21 days, though additional requirements can extend the overall time.
Residence Validity
The validity of Family Reunification Residence depends significantly on the sponsor's residence status.
Important: Family Reunification Residence cannot generally remain valid beyond the applicant's travel document validity or the sponsor's residence permit validity.
General Rule
Up to 3 Years
Can potentially be extended for up to another 3 years.
EU Blue Card / Corporate Card Sponsor
Up to 4 Years
Can potentially be extended for up to another 4 years.
Hungarian Citizen / Long-Term Resident
Up to 5 Years
Can potentially be issued for up to 5 years and extended for up to another 5 years.
Guest Investor Sponsor
Up to 10 Years
Can be issued for up to 10 years and extended for up to another 10 years.
Working & Extension Rules
Extensions must be submitted through Enter Hungary:
Family Reunification Residence can potentially provide access to employment in Hungary. Where employment is intended, the appropriate Single Application Procedure must be followed.
Guest Investor Family Exception
- No earlier than 90 days before expiry.
- No later than 30 days before expiry.
- General physical presence requirement: at least 90 days within any 180-day period.
The 90-day residence requirement does not apply to qualifying family members of Guest Investor Residence holders in the same way.
Changes in Family Circumstances
Changes such as divorce or the death of a spouse must be reported to the competent immigration authority within 30 days.
In certain circumstances, a family member may acquire an independent basis to continue residing in Hungary, for example, after 5 years from the first issuance of Family Reunification Residence.
Long-Term Residence & EU Rights
Family Reunification can form part of a longer-term strategy, potentially leading to a National Residence Card or EU Residence Card.
A Hungarian Family Reunification Residence Permit does not automatically provide unrestricted employment rights in other EU Member States like Austria, Germany, or Slovakia. Separate requirements apply when relocating to another country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every Hungarian residence permit allow family reunification?
No. Several categories, including Seasonal Employment, White Card, and Student Residence, currently do not provide family reunification rights.
How long does the process take?
The official procedural administration period is 21 days, though the overall time can be affected by document preparation and biometric procedures.
Can I work on a Family Reunification Residence Permit?
Yes, it can potentially provide access to employment, provided the Single Application Procedure is followed and required documentation is submitted.
Can my family join me if I have Guest Investor Residence?
Yes. The Guest Investor Residence pathway provides strong family rights, with permits potentially valid for up to 10 years.
What documents are needed to prove my relationship?
Typically marriage certificates, birth certificates, or adoption papers. Foreign documents often require legalisation, an Apostille, and certified translation.
Bring Your Family to Hungary
Family Immigration & Residence Coordination
If you already hold or are planning to obtain Hungarian residence, CETO can assess whether your spouse, children or other qualifying family members may be eligible to relocate with you.
Because family rights vary significantly between Hungarian residence categories, the sponsor's immigration pathway should ideally be assessed before the main residence application is submitted.