For Non-EEA Citizens with EU Residence Permits
For Non-EEA Citizens with EU Residence Permits
Updated: 24.07.2024
Even if you are not eligible, although you will need to obtain a residence permit, special rules may apply to you, making your arrival in Hungary easier.
Am I eligible for a Student Mobility Certificate?
If you are already a student in another EU country and plan to come to Hungary for one or two semesters, you may be considered a mobility student rather than a regular student.
To be eligible for a Student Mobility Certificate:
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you need to have a residence permit for the purpose of studies in another EU country; and
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your residence permit needs to remain valid throughout your mobility at ELTE; and
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your mobility needs to be covered by an EU or multilateral programme involving mobility measures or an agreement between two or more higher education institutions.
If this is your case, please read Student Mobility Certificate below.
You are not eligible:
- if your residence permit for the purpose of studies expires before the end of your mobility at ELTE; or
- if you have any type of EU residence permit that is not for the purpose of studies (eg. residence permit for the purpose of work, etc.).
Student Mobility Certificate
If you have a residence permit for the purpose of studies in another EU country that will be valid throughout your mobility at ELTE, you need to notify the Hungarian authorities to receive your Student Mobility Certificate.
You cannot hold more than one EU residence permit at the same time. As such, this certificate does not terminate your other residence permit, but it allows you to study and reside in Hungary.
Process of obtaining:
- No action is required in advance;
- Arrive in Hungary with your current EU permit;
- Announce your mobility to the authorities in Enter Hungary. You may find a detailed guide to fill your application in Enter Hungary here;
- Receive your Student Mobility Certificate via post to your Hungarian address.
For more information on the Student Mobility Certificate, refer to the dedicated website of the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing.
Residence Permit for Mobility Students
If you are not eligible for a Student Mobility Certificate, because you do not have a residence permit for the purpose of studies, or you do, but it will expire earlier than the end of your mobility, you will need to apply for a new residence permit, similar to other third-country students.
If you do not need a visa based on your original citizenship to enter Hungary, read Case A below.
If need a visa based on your original citizenshipto enter Hungary, read Case B below.
Do you need a visa to travel to Hungary? Click here to find out!
Case A
If you are coming from a visa waiver country, you can apply for the residence permit for the purpose of study after you arrive in Hungary. The application happens online, on the Enter Hungary website. (You can also apply for the residence permit at the nearest Hungarian consulate of your current residence, before you travel to Hungary, but it is not recommended due to long waiting times.) On the Enter Hungary website, choose "Pursuing studies or student mobility"! This guide will help you along the application process.
After submitting the online application, the applicant needs to book an appointment on the website of the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing and visit one of their customer services in person whitin 15 days from the submission to provide biometric data (e.g. photo and fingerprint). Booking the appointment and showing up in person is the responsibility of the applicant. The official process starts with the registration of biometric data. If the applicant does not complete this step within 15 days after submitting the online application, their application will be deleted by the authorities.
Since 2023. 01. 01. all applications (except the ones submitted at the consulate/embassy) must be submitted online, personally visiting the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing for submitting applications is only possible in special and vis maior cases.
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REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, IF YOU APPLY FOR A RESIDENCE PERMIT FOR THE FIRST TIME ON ENTER HUNGARY |
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Please download and fill them! |
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Valid passport |
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1 colour photo of you |
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Letter of Acceptance or Student status certificate |
You receive the Letter of Acceptance from your faculty when you get accepted to ELTE. You can receive a Student status certificate at Quaestura Office. |
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Language certificate |
The student must have adequate language skills, which must be proven with a certificate. It can be an internationally recognised language exam OR proof of former studies in the working language of the study program. |
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Certificate of accommodation |
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Completed form of “Notification of Accomodation” |
Please download and print the form, then fill it and ask your dormitory /landlord/ agent to sign it before you upload it! |
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Certificate of financial conditions |
Scholarship letter of award OR bank account statement OR a bank account statement of your parents and a declaration from your parents that they support you financially, etc. |
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Certificate of payment of the tuition fee |
If you are a self-funded student. |
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Certificate of health insurance |
Any health insurance valid in the territory of EU, e.g. TAJ card. |
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Completed form of “Declaration to undertake voluntary leave” |
Download it, print it and fill it! |
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Fee: In case of a new request:
In case of extension:
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The costs of the procedure is payable by way of electronic payment instrument (bank card) or in the form of bank deposit (using the cheque supplied by the regional directorate). In respect of yellow cheques, in the “comment” box the client’s name and date of birth, and the case type “Application for Residence Permit” shall be indicated. Please note, that state scholarship holders are exempt of the application fee! (Individuals who have the right to free movement and residence, as well as citizens of third countries who study in Hungary with a Hungarian government scholarship or with a regular study allowance from the minister responsible for education are exempt from paying administration service charges according to point 2) c) of paragraph 5 of the Decree 28/2007 /31.05/ of the Ministry of Justice and Law Enforcement on the charges of administration related to the entry and residence of individuals who have the right to free movement and residence, as well as the citizens of third countries.) |
Case B
If you are coming from a country that is under visa obligations according to the Schengen acquis, you need to apply for a residence permit for the purpose of study before you travel to Hungary.
Important note: Even though your EU residence permit allows you to travel to Hungary and stay here visa-free for up to 90 days, you can only apply for a residence permit at a Hungarian embassy / consulate or at other locations authorized to receive residence permit applications which operates in the country of your permanent residence or nationality.
After the application is concluded, you are free to travel to Hungary and wait for the decision regarding your residence permit application. The decision on residence permit with study purposes will be made within 30 days. Please note that due to the increased number of applications before the start of the semester, the waiting time can exceed 30 days.