Here is what you actually need to apply for a residence permit in Hungary. If you are from a different country, contact your local immigration office – I am sure they have a website/phone # you can call. Please find out what you need and get it before you go – you don’t want to have to wait forever, just to find out you are missing some paper or another.
For all of you in the EU, you do not need to worry about it, because mostly likely you will go home 2x a year and not need one. But if you plan on staying within the country for more than 90 days, then I believe you do. But rules are different for different countries, so it changes all the time. However, all of you Israelis, Persian, Americans, Canadians, Nigerians, and so on – listen up!
- Residence permit application form – Download this online, link here
- 18,000 HUF in fee stamps. – Obtain these at the post office. In Hungarian, these are called illeték *For renewal, it’s only 6000 HUF.
- Your student health insurance card. – Get the check from the education office upstairs, and pay for it at the post office. You will then have to take the pay stub back to the education office, so they can give you an actual health insurance card. If you have your own health insurance from home, great!
- A certificate from the school stating that you are, in fact, a student attending the university – Again, the educational office. (downstairs, for you debrecenites)
- Your student ID
- 6 months worth of bank statements – proof that you have money to provide for yourself while you are in the country.
- A flight itinerary home – doesn’t have to be an actual booked flight, just flight info for the flight you might take home.
- Valid passport - with a visa, or older residence permit inside
- Passport photos – any photo shop, but the one I go to is by the big church, next to city burger. The person I spoke to said only one photo is necessary, but it is always good to have extra.
- Proof of a place to stay – Now here it gets tricky, because if you live in student hostels, fine – just get a copy of your contract and you are sorted. If you are like me and never lived there, and now live in a flat – you need more information.
- Signed lease contract – with both your signature and your landlord’s
- Proof of ownership – legal document stating that your landlord, does own the property in which you are staying and is stated on the above mentioned lease
- Residence registration form – this is a card for you to fill out, with your landlord, stating all relevant information about where you live and about you and your landlord. Can also download from the link above.
If you are a new student, you may also need proof of your vaccinations, but I am not sure. Again, that is why websites with contact detail are so great.
Good luck, bring a book, some company and prepare to wait – Aren’t you excited?!!
Some music to keep you company – and all about waiting….If you can’t help but wait, don’t want to wait, and it is going very slow
