Table of Contents

Overview of Hungary

A landlocked country in Eastern Europe, Hungary shares its borders with Austria, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia. Its population of almost 10 million people speak mainly Hungarian; the country’s only official language. Budapest, Hungary’s capital and largest city, is a top European travel destination for its rich history and beauty; a large portion of it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Budapest contains many impressive architectural monuments, including Buda Castle, the Baroque-style palace complex located on medieval-era Castle Hill, the Great Synagogue, the largest in Europe, and Fisherman’s Bastion, a 20th century, Romantic inspired structure, which overlooks the Danube river and provides magnificent views of the city. Visitors to Budapest can dine on Hungary’s national dish, Goulash, in its buzzy new restaurants, and relax in one of its hundreds of public baths; a legacy of the Ottoman occupation. Thermal springs proliferate throughout the country, which boasts the largest thermal spa complex on the continent, as well as Lake Balaton; the largest lake in central Europe. Hungary signed the Schengen agreement in 2003, becoming part of the Schengen area in 2007.

Hungary Schengen Visa Eligibility

Schengen visa eligibility for Hungary includes third-country nationals from the following states, who are excluded from visa-free to Hungary/the Schengen area, and are therefore eligible to apply for a Schengen visa to Hungary:

1.     AFGHANISTAN

53.   LAOS

2.     ALGERIA

54.   LEBANON

3.     ANGOLA

55.   LESOTHO

4.     ARMENIA

56.   LIBERIA

5.     AZERBAIJAN

57.   LIBYA

6.     BAHRAIN

58.   MADAGASCAR

7.     BANGLADESH

59.   MALAWI

8.     BELARUS

60.   MALDIVES

9.     BELIZE

61.   MALI

10.   BENIN

62.   MAURITANIA

11.   BHUTAN

63.   MONGOLIA

12.   BOLIVIA

64.   MOROCCO

13.   BOTSWANA

65.   MOZAMBIQUE

14.   BURKINA FASO

66.   NAMIBIA

15.   BURMA/MYANMAR

67.   NAURU

16.   BURUNDI

68.   NEPAL

17.   CAMBODIA

69.   NIGER

18.   CAMEROON

70.   NIGERIA

19.   CAPE VERDE

71.   NORTH KOREA

20.   CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

72.   OMAN

21.   CHAD

73.   PAKISTAN

22.   CHINA

74.   PAPUA NEW GUINEA

23.   COMOROS

75.   PHILIPPINES

24.   CONGO

76.   QATAR

25.   COTE D’IVOIRE

77.   RUSSIA

26.   CUBA

78.   RWANDA

27.   DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

79.   SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE

28.   DJIBOUTI

80.   SAUDI ARABIA

29.   DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

81.   SENEGAL

30.   ECUADOR

82.   SIERRA LEONE

31.   EGYPT

83.   SOMALIA

32.   EQUATORIAL GUINEA

84.   SOUTH AFRICA

33.   ERITREA

85.   SOUTH SUDAN

34.   ETHIOPIA

86.   SRI LANKA

35.   FIJI

87.   SUDAN

36.   GABON

88.   SURINAME

37.   GAMBIA

89.   SWAZILAND

38.   GHANA

90.   SYRIA

39.   GUINEA

91.   TAJIKISTAN

40.   GUINEA-BISSAU

92.   TANZANIA

41.   GUYANA

93.   THAILAND

42.   HAITI

94.   TOGO

43.   INDIA

95.   TUNISIA

44.   INDONESIA

96.   TURKEY

45.   IRAN

97.   TURKMENISTAN

46.   IRAQ

98.   UGANDA

47.   JAMAICA

99.   UZBEKISTAN

48.   JORDAN

100.VIETNAM

49.   KAZAKHSTAN

101.YEMEN

50.   KENYA

102.ZAMBIA

51.   KUWAIT

103.ZIMBABWE

52.   KYRGYZSTAN

 

Third party nationals from the following entities/territories are also required to apply for a Schengen visa: KOSOVO and the PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY.

Required Documents for Hungarian Visa

Hungarian Schengen visa application forms are available in Hungarian, English, or French. However, if your application contains supplemental materials written in a language other than these 3 languages, they will likely need to be accompanied by an official translation into either Hungarian or English. All documents required for your Hungarian Schengen visa must be filled in using capital Roman letters. Applications for all Schengen visas to Hungary will contain the following Basic Required Documents:

  • Valid passport
  • Passport sized photos
  • Application form
  • Fingerprints (biometric data)
  • Travel medical insurance
  • Visa Fee
  • Materials related to your trip:
    • Reason for visit
    • Where you will stay (accommodation)
    • How you will fund your trip (finances)
    • Proof that you will leave Hungary before your visa becomes invalid/expires. This is often in the form of a paid roundtrip plane ticket (proof of return).
    • Please note, if you are applying from a country where you do not legally reside, you must supply proof of legal residence with your application.

Note: For more information on what to include in your application, including a detailed description of required materials, please see: Basic Required Documents. Please note that you may have to submit additional Hungarian Schengen visa supporting documents related to your specific purpose for travelling.

Hungarian Schengen Visa Fee

The standard Hungarian Schengen visa fee for an adult is 80 Euros. Certain types of applicants (most students, children under 6) are exempt from all visa fees. Please note that these fees are non-refundable. To get a Schengen visa for Hungary, you will likely have to submit a service payment with your visa application-this is a separate cost from the visa fee. Please note that these fees are non-refundable in the case of visa rejection.

Hungarian Schengen Visa

How to Apply for Hungarian Schengen Visa : Steps

  • Step 1: Determine your Purpose for travelling to Hungary, which will determine the Type of visa you should apply for.
  • Step 2: Determine how many Entries to Hungary/the Schengen area you need.
  • Step 3: Gather your Required Documents.
  • Step 4: Schedule a Hungarian Schengen Visa appointment (if applicable).
    • Depending on the location of the consulate/visa center you are applying through, you may have to schedule an appointment in order to submit your application. Alternatively, you may be able to drop off your application without prior arrangement, so long as you do so during normal operating hours. Contact your Hungarian Consulate/visa center directly to find out if you need to schedule an appointment in order to submit your application. 
  • Step 5: Fill out your application.
    • Applications for Hungarian Schengen Visas can be downloaded online, through the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website via this link. Alternatively, you can collect a paper copy application at your respective Hungarian Consulate/Embassy.
  • Step 6: Pay the application fee.
  • Step 7: Submit your Hungarian Schengen visa application (at least 15 days prior to travelling, not before 6 months).
    • While different Hungarian consulates/processing centers may have different procedures for submitting applications, in almost all cases, applications must be submitted in person to the consulate/center you are applying through.
    • In rare cases, an authorized person may submit your application on your behalf, so long as the application authorization is certified by a notary. Other exceptions to personal submission include cultural/ professional/sporting associations or institutions, which may submit applications on the behalf of a member, and valid travel agencies, in the event the applicant is taking part in an organized travel trip. Please note, your application must be signed by you personally, even if someone else is submitting it for you.
    • When you submit your application, you will likely also be asked to submit biometric data (fingerprints). Children younger than 12 years are likely exempt from having their fingerprints collected. If you have previously submitted fingerprints (within the last 59 months), you likely will not need to resubmit them.
    • Please note, after submitting your application, you may be asked to return at a later date for a personal interview to provide further information/materials related to your trip.

When to Apply

Submit your application at least 15 days prior to the day you intend to travel, and no earlier than 6 months before you leave.

Where to Apply

Applications for Schengen visas to Hungary should be submitted at either a Hungarian Consulate or a visa application center that has a relationship with Hungary.

Ideally, you will lodge your application in the country where you legally reside/hold a residence permit.

If you must apply through a Hungarian Consulate/Embassy or visa application center located in a country where you do not legally reside, you must have a valid reason for doing so. Valid reasons include that you are legally staying in another country (on a valid visa/ permit), and that the consulate within the country has accepted your reasons for applying through them and has chosen to process your application.

Click here to find Hungarian Consulate/Embassies nearest to you.

In countries where there is no Hungarian consular presence, applications may be lodged via the consulate of a Schengen state representing Hungarian consular interests.

In countries where there is neither a Hungarian consular presence nor a Schengen state representing Hungarian consulate interests, you may apply through any Hungarian Consulate located outside the Schengen area.

Processing Time for Hungarian Schengen Visa Fee

The Hungarian Schengen visa processing time is generally 15 days, although it can take up to 45 days in certain cases.

If your visa was approved:

Collect your visa and make sure the information it contains is valid and complete.

If your visa was denied:

If you receive a Schengen visa rejection for Hungary, you (or your legal representative) have the right to an appeal within 8 days of receiving your rejection.

Begin this process by picking up your standard issued-visa refusal form, which describes why your request was denied. Your letter of rejection should explain the detailed steps of the appeal process, including where to send it.

Your appeal is decided by the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which renders a decision 15 days after receiving the appeal.

You should submit your Schengen visa appeal in writing in either Hungarian or an EU official language (if you choose to submit in a non-E.U. language, you must include an official translation of your appeal). Your appeal should be signed either by you personally or someone who is legally authorized to sign for you.

Please note, you must also submit an appeal fee of 30 euros, which is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the appeal (positive or negative).

Finally, once you obtain your Schengen Visa for Hungary, please note the following:

Your visa may be revoked if you do not notify the Hungarian Consulate/visa application center of any changes to your trip itinerary that occur after you have submitted your application.

Being approved for a Hungarian visa does not guarantee you entry to either Hungary or the general Schengen area – you can still be refused entry to both places upon arrival.

Alternatively, you may have to show additional documents regarding your finances or accommodation in order to enter Hungary/the Schengen area.

FAQ about Hungary Schengen Visa

Is Schengen visa valid for Hungary?

Yes, Schengen visa validity extends to Hungary, as Hungary is one of the Schengen states. This means that if you successfully apply for a Schengen visa, you can use it to enter Hungary.

How long a Hungary Schengen visa takes?

The typical processing period for Hungary Schengen visas is 30 days, although you may receive a decision on your application in anywhere from 15-60 days.

Is it easy to get visa for Hungary?

It’s easy to get a visa for Hungary if you meet all the Schengen visa requirements. Applicants who receive visas are those who successfully demonstrate that they 1) Can afford all the costs associated with their trip to Hungary 2) Will exit the Schengen area before their visa expires and 3) Do not present a security risk to the zone (in terms of terrorism/criminality/health). Essentially, meeting the Hungary visa requirements entails submitting documents and materials which demonstrate your financial soundness, awareness of your visa’s terms and conditions, and general good character. Applying is relatively easy and consists of submitting the materials on time and in total. If you meet the requirements, you should therefore find it easy to get a visa for Hungary.