Step-by-step guide: how to get a visa for Hungary

Reminder: Travel insurance is required to obtain a Schengen visa

Written by: S.Castlemilk
Date: 06/11/2025

Ready to discover the secrets of one of Europe’s oldest countries and celebrate its two national days while sipping local wine on the beaches of Lake Balaton, also known as the Hungarian Sea? Before setting off to discover the several World Heritage Sites Hungary has to offer or enrolling in a study program at Budapest Metropolitan University, you will need to check if you are one of the many World citizens who needs a visa to be allowed in Hungary.

To help you along the way, the AXA team has prepared a step-by-step guide on how to apply (and obtain!) your visa for Hungary. Now, as the Tatars who invaded Hungary in 1241 would most certainly have said: “Let’s get to it!”

• Who needs a visa to visit Hungary?
• Where must you apply for your visa for Hungary?
• What type of visa do you need to travel to Hungary?
• When should you apply for your visa for Hungary?
• How to prepare your visa for Hungary application file?
• What documents must be provided with your visa for Hungary application?
• What happens when you submit your visa application?
• How much does a Schengen visa for Hungary cost?
• How will you know if your visa request has been granted?
• Why choose AXA Schengen travel insurance?

Do you need a visa to visit Hungary?

First things first: do you actually need a visa to visit Hungary, which is part of the Schengen Area?

The need for a visa depends on the visitor’s nationality and how long they plan on staying.

Let’s start by eliminating candidates:

Who doesn’t need a visa to visit Hungary?

• Citizens (and family members residing with them) of Schengen member- States or of European Union countries.

• Third-country nationals, holders of a valid residence permit issued by a Schengen country.

• Citizens of about sixty countries which have signed a visa-waiver agreement with the European Union. (the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Israel, Japan, etc.)

Please note: if these third-country travellers do not need to apply for a visa to visit Hungary, they must still meet the following requirements:

• They must travel with a passport issued less than 10 years before their trip and valid more than 3 months after their scheduled date of departure from the Schengen area.

• Their stay must not exceed 90 days over a 180-day period.

• They must apply online for an electronic travel authorisation (ETIAS) to enter the Schengen area (starting the last quarter of 2026).

Who needs a visa to visit Hungary?

All travellers who do not belong to one of the above categories need a visa to be allowed in Hungary.

Not sure if this includes you? Check out our list of all the countries where nationals must apply for a visa for Hungary. It includes Bahrain, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Tanzania, Vietnam and others.

Where must you apply for your visa for Hungary?

You must submit your visa application file at the Hungarian diplomatic representation of your place of residence.

Different situations can occur:

1. In countries where Hungary has diplomatic representation (embassies, consulates):

​→ You will need to submit your visa application file at the consular services attached to your place of residence. They will examine your file and decide to grant or deny your visa request.

2. In countries where Hungary has no diplomatic representation,

• In compliance with the EU Visa Code, Hungary can entrust another Schengen country with the responsibility of receiving, examining and making a decision concerning visa application files.

​→ You will thus need to submit your visa for Hungary application file at the consular services of the other Schengen country which has agreed to represent Hungary and to receive visa applications on its behalf.

• Hungary can also commission a specialised private company, such as VFS Global, to inform applicants, receive their applications and handle administrative tasks concerning visa application.

​→ You will have to submit your visa application file to the certified VFS Global visa centre of your place of residence.

Important! The role of visa centres is to collect your application files and manage the administrative part of the process. They then transfer these files to the Hungarian consular services as they are the only ones authorized to examine the request and decide to grant or deny a visa.

What type of visa do you need to travel to Hungary?

The duration and purpose of your stay will determine what type of visa you need to be allowed to enter and stay in Hungary.

Three types of visas might apply to your situation:

The Schengen visa or type C short stay visa for Hungary

• If you intend on staying less than 90 days (3 months) in Hungary,
• If you are travelling for one of the most common purposes: tourism, business, visiting relatives, short internships and training courses, attending professional, cultural or sports events:

​→ You need to apply for a ​​Type C short-stay visa, also called a uniform visa or Schengen visa.

Good to know!

• As a member of the Schengen Area, Hungary follows the European Union’s common visa policy. This means that the requirements for obtaining a Schengen visa, as well as the rights it grants, are the same regardless of which Schengen country processes your application or issues your visa.

• The Schengen visa allows its holder to travel freely not only in the country which issued it but in all the countries part of the Schengen area.

• However, Schengen visa holders can only stay in the area for a maximum of 90 days over a 180-day period.

Please note:
A Schengen visa grants you the right to enter Hungary to attend a business meeting but not to work in the country. If you wish to do so, even if only for a short-term mission or a contract lasting less than 3 months, you will need to apply for a type D work permit.

The national long-stay visa for Hungary

• If you intend on staying in Hungary longer than 3 months (up to 1 year),

• If you come from a non-Schengen State, including those exempt from short-stay visa requirements,

• If you intend on working, studying or reuniting with family members,

​→ You will need to apply for a type D visa for Hungary.

Good to know!

• The type D visa for Hungary allows its holder to enter the territory in order to submit a residence permit application within 30 days after their arrival. For more detailed information, visit the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing website.

• For type D visas, Hungary, as the other Schengen States, is free to apply its own rules as the issuing criteria for long-stay visas are not standardized between European countries.

• If citizens of Schengen countries wish to stay longer than 3 months in the country, they will need to register online and within 93 days of their entry in Hungary.

The Airport Transit Visa (ATV) for Hungary

If you’re traveling between two countries outside the Schengen Area and connecting via a Hungarian airport, you may need an airport transit visa (type A or ATV)_depending on your nationality_even if you don’t leave the international transit area.

Not sure if this applies to you? Our complete guide on this unusual but not uncommon type A visa has the answers.

When should you apply for your visa for Hungary?

1. Your Schengen visa application for Hungary should be submitted 6 months at the earliest and 15 days at the latest prior to your scheduled date of departure.

2. Processing time is usually 15 calendar days.

3. However, in some specific situations, processing time can be longer, reaching 45 days:
   • During the busier times of the year (school holidays, bank holidays in Europe, end of the year celebrations…) when the number of visa applications rises.
   • If the Hungarian consular authorities need to carry out additional verifications or ask for more supporting documents.
   • For some third-country applicants, consular authorities must consult the other Schengen States before deciding to grant a visa to make sure no Member is opposed to their decision.

4. Don’t forget to take into account the possible difficulties to find an available date to submit your visa application at the embassy or the visa center. In some countries or during different times of the year, this can push back the examination of your request by several weeks!

PRO TIP: The AXA Team recommends submitting your file as early as possible: 6 to 8 weeks prior to the scheduled departure date.

How to get your Hungary visa application ready?

1. Make sure your passport complies with the visa application requirements:

• Issued less than 10 years ago.

• Valid more than 3 months after the scheduled date of departure from the Schengen area.

• Must include 2 blank pages.

PRO TIP: The European Commission regularly updates on a regular basis the list of requirements for travel documents on its website.

2. Find out what type of visa you need and where you must submit your application file.

3. Download your visa for Hungary application form.

4. Book your appointment online to submit your file.

5. Subscribe to certified and compulsory travel insurance for Hungary

6. According to article 15 of the EU visa Code, all applicants must subscribe to travel insurance which covers medical expenses as well as repatriation in case of accidents or illness during their stay in the Schengen area.
   Schengen travel insurance must thus meet several criteria to be accepted by consular services.

7. Gather all the required supporting documents.

What documents must be provided with your visa for Hungary application?

Before submitting your visa application, you will need to gather several supporting documents. Some are compulsory for all applicants, others are only required depending on the profile and purpose of the stay of the traveller. Here is an overview of the most common one.

Mandatory document for all visa applicants

• A valid passport.

• The application form completed, dated and signed.

• An ICAO ID picture meeting international standards.

• A travel insurance certificate.

Additional supporting documents

You might be asked for additional documents specifying and/or justifying:

• The purpose of your stay.

• Your accommodation arrangements during your stay in Hungary.

• Your ability to cover your financial needs during your stay.

PRO TIP: The minimum amount required by Hungarian authorities is €40/per day.

• Proof of your intent on leaving the Schengen area at the end of your trip.

Important: This short inventory is only provided for information purposes. A more detailed and personalised list, established according to your individual situation, will be given to you by the Embassy, consulate or Visa center.

What to expect when you attend your visa application appointment?

On the day of your appointment, you will attend your interview in person to submit your application file which must include:

• The letter confirming your appointment,

• Your passport,

• The printed application form duly completed, dated and signed,

• The required supporting documents (originals and copies),

• The accepted means of payment to settle the visa fees and service fees when applicable.

You will meet with a visa agent who will:

• check that your file is complete and that your supporting documents comply with visa requirements,

• record your biometric data (fingerprints and photo),

Please note: Children under age 12 are exempt but must still attend the appointment.

• collect the visa and service fees,

• keep your passport which will be given back to you once a decision has been made concerning your visa request.

After you’ve submitted your application file , you can track the progress of its examination following the instructions given to you by the visa agent.

How much does a Schengen visa for Hungary cost?

The price of a Schengen visa (or visa fee) for Hungary, depends on the age of the applicant:

• Travellers aged 12 and over: full fee

• Children between ages 6 to 11: reduced fee

• Children younger than 6: free of charge

To find out more, read our article detailing the costs entailed by a Schengen visa application.

Visa for Hungary: Specific reduced fees

• Depending on the purpose of their trip (school trips, research, humanitarian work, etc.), some travellers can also enjoy a reduced visa fee or even visa fee exemption.

• Citizens of Hungary’s neighbouring countries also benefit from specific reduced rates when they apply for a Schengen visa, thanks to visa facilitation agreements between the following countries and the European Union: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine.

Visa for Hungary: what is included in the cost?

• Visa fees, collected by the Hungarian government, cover the expenses entailed by the processing of your visa application by consular services.

• If you submit your application at a certified visa centre, you will have to pay additional service fees to this company.

• Visa fees are non-refundable even if the visa application is denied. Service fees can be refunded but only in very rare and specific situations.

Good news! If your visa for Hungary is denied, AXA Schengen will reimburse the cost of your compulsory travel insurance.

How will you know if your visa request has been accepted?

Once your application has been examined, you will be asked by text/email/phone to come recover your passport where you have left it (consular services, visa centre).

​→ If your visa is granted, a visa sticker will feature on your passport.

​→ If your visa is denied, a document will be enclosed, explaining the reasons why and how you can appeal the decision.

PRO TIP: To make sure it doesn’t come to that, make sure to read our article on how to avoid visa refusal.

Why choose AXA Schengen travel insurance?

Efficient, reliable and certified by the consular services of all Schengen countries, AXA Schengen travel insurance is always accepted with visa applications.

It offers many other benefits allowing you to enjoy a carefree trip to Hungary:

• Quick and easy online subscription. Your travel insurance certificate is immediately available to enclose with your visa for Hungary application file.
• Excellent value for money coverage
• A decreasing rate based on the length of your stay.
• Refundable if your visa application is denied.
• A zero-excess policy.
• No age limit.
• Complete coverage including medical care, hospitalisation, repatriation, personal liability, baggage loss, etc. (depending on the chosen option).
• Free 24/7 medical consultation and assistance.
• Different options to suit each traveller’s profile and budget.

Ready to prepare your trip to Hungary stress-free? Compare our different Schengen travel insurance plans and choose the one best suited to your needs.

You might find these articles interesting:

• How to apply for a visa for Germany?
• How to apply for a visa for France?
• A simple guide to Europe: from A to Z

FAQ

I’m planning a trip to Hungary and its neighbouring Schengen countries, where should I submit my visa application?

According to the European Union Visa Code, you must submit your visa application file at the consular services of the country where you will be staying the longest.
However, if you intend on staying the same number of days in each country, you will then need to submit your application at the consular services of the first Schengen country you will visit.

What has the new Hungarian immigration law changed concerning Schengen visas?

A new Hungarian immigration law came into force in 2024 and changed regulations on how third-country nationals can obtain a residence permit. However, this has no impact on the requirements to obtain a Schengen visa.

Has Hungary reintroduced border control?

As of June 2025, Hungary hadn’t reintroduced border control. However, several of its neighbour States – including Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia, have decided to reinstate controls at their borders in the last few years, even if not on a permanent basis.

PRO TIP: Before you travel, remember to double-check your destination’s entry requirements to avoid any complications or delays at the border.