How to Apply for a Hungary Schengen Visa from the UK

Contents In this Article

Hungary Entry Restrictions in Response to Coronavirus
- EU Digital COVID Certificate
Who needs a visa to travel to Hungary from the UK?
Steps to Applying for an Hungarian Schengen Visa from the UK
Visa Application Decision
- Common Hungary Schengen Visa Rejection Reasons
- What If My Hungary Schengen Visa Is Rejected?
Hungary Schengen Visa Extension
- Schengen Visa Extension Application Process
Hungary Schengen Visa Frequently Asked Questions

Visit Hungary Parliament with a Schengen visa

Hungary is a popular, enchanting, landlocked nation located in Central Europe. Right from the several quaint villages to the beautiful city of lights, Budapest, and the fantastic scenery, Hungary exudes a strong sense of tradition and history at every turn.

The Danube River bisects this capital city, and you can watch the eye-catching river and city view by going for a boat ride in the river waters. Also, Hungary has rich culture and history that feature Roman, Magyar, Turkish, and Slavic influences. You can discover spectacular remains of Roman fortifications that belong to the Middle Ages.

Hungary Entry Restrictions in Response to Coronavirus

In early 2020, Hungary joined the rest of its Schengen country neighbours in closing its borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The country has since partially reopened its borders, with conditions.

Hungarian citizens are allowed to enter Hungary without a need for an entry permit or PCR test regardless of the purpose of their stay but are required to isolate for 10 days, or until they are able to present two negative PCR tests performed two days apart.

Non-Hungarian citizens can only enter Hungary for exceptional cases depending on the purpose of stay or if they fall into an exemption, like someone who has recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months prior to their date of entry, if they hold a Hungarian immunity certificate or an immunity certificate recognised by Hungary based on unilateral/bilateral agreements, etc. You can find the entry restrictions on the Hungarian government’s webpage. They will also need an entry permit, which can be found on the Hungarian police's website.

You should check on the latest news regarding restrictions, quarantine or whether a test will be required either from reliable news sources, the Hungarian government website, or the UK government website one to two weeks before your trip to be aware of the latest requirements for travelling to Hungary.

EU Digital COVID Certificate

The EU Digital COVID Certificate was available starting 1 July 2021, provides proof that a person has either:

been vaccinated against COVID-19
received a negative test result, PCR or rapid antigen,
or has recovered from COVID-19

The EU Digital COVID Certificate grants travellers the same rights as vaccinated, tested or recovered citizens of the EU Member State they are visiting and allows travel into the EU.

EU citizens and residents can have their Digital COVID Certificates issued and verified across the EU. You can find out about how Hungary is handling their EUDCC on their website.

Who needs a visa to travel to Hungary from the UK?

Travelling to Hungary for EU/EEA Citizens

Hungary is a Schengen country, which allows for free movement between the 26 EU and EFTA states (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland). A uniform Schengen visa issued by one of the Schengen states is valid for travel within the whole Schengen area.

Travelling to Hungary Post-Brexit for UK Citizens

The rules for travelling or working in European countries changed on 1 January 2021:

you can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training
if you are travelling to Hungary and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days
for long-stay visits, to work or study, for business or for other reasons, you will need to meet the Hungarian government’s entry requirements.
if you stay in Hungary with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit

At Hungarian border control, you may need to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing. Your passport may be stamped on entry and exit. You may also need to:

show a return or onward ticket
show you have enough money for your stay

There are separate requirements for those who are residents of Hungary. If you are resident in Hungary, you should carry proof of residence as well as your valid passport when you travel. You should also check your passport’s validity when you travel and renew it if you don’t have enough time on it. Your passport must be:

valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave Hungary or any other Schengen country
less than 10 years old

Find out more on these requirements, in the UK government's Living in Hungary guide.

Travelling to Hungary Post Brexit for Other Third Country Citizens

Citizens of the following countries residing in the UK and planning to visit Hungary are required to get a Hungarian Schengen visa in order to be able to enter Hungary.

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Afghanistan	Algeria	Angola
Armenia	Azerbaijan	Bahrain
Bangladesh	Belarus	Belize
Benin	Bhutan	Bolivia
Botswana	Burkina Faso	Burma/Myanmar
Burundi	Cambodia	Cameroon
Cape Verde	Central African Republic	Chad
China	Comoros	Congo
Cote D'iviore	Cuba

Dem. Rep. Of Congo	Djibouti	Dominican Republic
Ecuador	Egypt	Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea	Ethiopia	Fiji

Gabon	Gambia	Ghana
Guinea	Guinea-Bissau	Guyana
Haiti	India	Indonesia
Iran	Iraq

Jamaica	Jordan	Kazakhstan
Kenya	Kosova	Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan	Laos	Lebanon
Lesotho	Liberia	Libya

Madagascar	Malawi	Maldives
Mali	Mauritania	Mongolia
Morocco	Mozambique	Namibia
Nepal	Niger	Nigeria
North Korea	Northern Mariana's	Oman

Pakistan	Papua New Guinea	Philippines
Qatar	Russia	Rwanda

Sao Tome And Principe	Saudi Arabia	Senegal
Sierra Leone	Somalia	South Africa
Sri Lanka	Sudan	Suriname
Swaziland	Syria	Tajikistan
Tanzania	Thailand	Timor-Leste
Togo	Tonga	Tunisia
Turkey	Turkmenistan	Uganda
Uzbekistan

Vietnam	Yemen	Zambia
Zimbabwe

The main requirement is that you must have a UK residence permit valid for at least another three more months beyond the date you plan to leave Hungary or the Schengen Area.

Before starting a visa application, or getting a flight to Hungary, make sure to check whether you need a visa to Hungary or not.

If you have a 3-month UK visa you can extend it for three more months in order to be eligible to apply for a Hungary Schengen visa from within the UK. You must apply for an extension before your visa expires and while you’re still in the UK.

Note: You can stay in the UK until the decision about the extension is taken, but only if you have applied within the visa period.

You should apply for a Hungary visa at the appropriate Hungary Embassy/Consulate or Hungary visa application center in the UK if:

Hungary is the only Schengen country you plan on visiting
Hungary is your main destination (the country you will be staying the longest in)
Hungary is the first Schengen country you are visiting (when spending an equal amount of days in Hungary and another Schengen country)

In case you plan on staying in Hungary for more than 90 days you must apply for a residency permit, not a Hungary Schengen visa.

Please, note that if you are not a resident in the United Kingdom you should apply at the Hungary Embassy/Consulate/VAC in your home country of residence.

Steps to Applying for an Hungarian Schengen Visa from the UK

Step 1: Know your visa type and validity

There are 2 types of visa that you can apply for. The one you need will depend on the duration of your trip and your reason for travelling to Hungary:

Short-stay (Schengen) Visa – valid for up to 90 days (in a 180-day period) for the purposes of tourism, business, visiting family/friends, conference, EEA/EU national family member
Residence and work permits (Long stays) – you should apply for this kind of visa if you want to live in Hungary for more than 90 days for employment, family reunification, study, research etc.

Step 2: Identify where to make application and book an appointment

To apply for a Hungarian visa, you must book an appointment with the Hungarian Embassy in London. You can do this through the following:

Book it yourself through VFS Global
Use a service like IaM who will also make sure that your application will have the best chance of being approved

Step 3: Complete your application form

The Schengen Visa application form contains questions about you including:

Name and surname
Date and place of birth
Nationality
Sex and marital status
National Identity number
Passport number
Home address and email
Purpose of trip
Question regarding previous trips to Schengen, if any
Intended date of arrival in Schengen area you are visiting, and the intended period of stay
Cost of traveling and remaining in Schengen area you are visiting, who will cover them, etc.

Make sure your answers are correct and that they comply with the information in the rest of the documents. Complete the form, print it twice, and sign both copies at the end.

Find out more about how to complete a Schengen vis application form in this blog post.

Step 4: Prepare your documents

The following list of documents are required in order to obtain a visa to Hungary in the UK:

A valid passport or travel document. Please make sure:
- Your passport has been issued within the previous 10 years,
- Your passport has 2 full blank pages, one for the visa stamp and an additional spare page,
- Your passport will be valid for at least three (3) months after the date you exit the Schengen Area.
A valid UK residence permit or other form of Identity Card.
- The UK residency permit must be endorsed in the actual passport (or on a new biometric ID card)
- The UK residence permit must be valid for at least another three more months beyond the date you plan to leave Hungary.
One Hungary Schengen visa application form filled out completely and signed by the applicant.
One recently taken passport format photo with a blank background and where all your facial features are clear, which must be glued to the application form. Applications with stapled photographs will be rejected.
A cover letter explaining the purpose of the visit to Hungary
Biometric data (Applies only if you haven’t provided biometric data within the last 59 months):
- Fingerprints
- A copy of the passport bio page where the photo is included.
  Note: Children under the age of 12 are exempted from providing fingerprints.
Proof of travel arrangements:
- Round trip flight/travel reservations or other proof of intended transport
- Complete itinerary of your visit to Hungary (if several Schengen States will be visited or if the trip covers several Schengen States and non-Schengen countries)
Travel Insurance stating that you are covered in case of a medical emergency and repatriation not just in Hungary but in the whole Schengen zone (minimum coverage of € 30,000).
- Holders of diplomatic passports and family members of EU/EEA citizens are exempted from providing proof of travel medical insurance
Proof of accommodation in Hungary:
- Evidence of a hotel booking or rental agreement, or
- Invitation from your Hungary host (family member, friend) with a copy of their passport
Proof of financial subsistence:
- Original recent Bank Statement (covering the last 3 calendar months. The last transaction must be no more than 1 month old)
- £60.00 per person per day if you are staying in a hotel.
- £40.00 per person per day if you are staying in a hostel or similar.
- £20.00 per person per day if you are staying with family or friends (even when your host has confirmed that he/she will be covering your expenses) plus funds for a return ticket to your country of residence.
- Traveller’s Cheques
  Note: Cash is not considered proof of financial subsistence.
Certificate of criminal record of the home country– showing that candidate has no open crime case involvement
Proof of paid Hungary visa fee.

Note: Photocopies of the original documents should also be submitted and documents should not be more than one month old.

The documents listed above are documents required in all cases, regardless of the purpose of your visit in Hungary.

Additional documents that are required for your visa application based on employment status:

For employees:

Employment contract
Current bank statement of the latest 6 months
Leave permission from the employer
Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary

For the self-employed:

A copy of your business license
Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
Income Tax Return (ITR)

For foreign students in the UK:

Proof of enrollment
No-objection certificate from school or university

For retirees:

Pension statement of the latest 6 months

If unemployed and married to an EU citizen:

A recent (less than 3 months old) Confirmation of Employment letter from their spouse’s employer stating the position held within the company as well as the starting date,
Spouse’s valid passport
An officially translated marriage certificate. The translation must be in English or Hungary and must be certified as a true copy by the Embassy of the country where the marriage took place or by the Legalization Bureau of the Foreign Office in UK

Requirements for children under the age of 18:

Parents or an adult guardian are required to accompany their under-age children at the application center at the Embassy of Hungary in London. Also, minors who are granted a Hungary visa are not allowed to travel to Hungary by themselves. They should be accompanied by an adult during their stay in Hungary.

Apart from the general documentation required, accompanying should be other additional documents depending on the purpose of your Hungary Visa application.

List of additional documents required for the most frequent purposes of Hungary Schengen visa application:

Hungary Tourist/Visitor Visa:

Invitation letter from your family or friends in Hungary with the address and phone number – if applicable
Bank statement of the last 6 months
Passport copies

Hungary Visa for Business Purposes:

Invitation letter from the Hungarian company you will be visiting and their detailed address accompanied with the dates of your visit
A certificate from your employer stating/allowing your business travel
If there were previous trade relations between the two companies, proof of such events must be provided
Business bank statement of the latest 6 months
Memorandum and Article of Association in original certified copy (registered with joint stock companies) Trade License (first issued and present renewal), Proprietorship/Partnership documents
Regarding the applicant’s expenses during stay in the Schengen zone, either the employer or the partner company must state coverage of expenses on the letter or invitation.

Hungary Visa for Medical Purposes:

A local medical report
A medical attestation from the hospital or doctor in Hungary, confirming the date of your appointment as well as your medical situation
Payment receipt of medical fees

Hungary Visa for Cultural, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes:

Invitation letter from the above-mentioned authorities with details upon the nature of events or activities – purpose of visit, expense coverage
Names of the applicants (crew members)
Duration of stay
Travel itinerary

Hungary Visa for Members of Official Delegations:

The official invitation copy
Identity of applicant
Purpose of journey (negotiations, meetings, event by intergovernmental organizations, consultations)
Duration of stay
Place of accommodation

Hungary Visa for Study, Training, Research, or other types of Internship Purposes:

An enrollment certificate allowing attendance of courses
Certificate of completion or courses attended
Financial sustenance

Hungary Airport Transit Visa:

Visa or other type of entry permit in the transit country
Copy of your valid visa for your final destination

Required documents for visa application for underage children

Birth certificate
Hungary Schengen Visa application form should be signed by both parents.
Family court order, in cases where only one parent has full custody over the child.
Certified copies of ID / passport of both parents
A notarized parental authorization to travel to Hungary, signed by both parents / guardians, if the minor will be travelling alone with another person.

All documents provided should be legalized and be in of the following languages:

English
Hungarian

Step 5: Attend your appointment

The visa interview is a meeting between you and the consular officer/interviewer. During this interview, the consular officer will ask you several questions about you and your intended trip. You will also be submitting the required documents throughout the meeting, to the interviewer.

Visa Fees for UK Residents

Since Hungary is a Schengen country, the visa fees are the same as any other Schengen visa.

The fee must be paid upon submitting the Hungary visa application. After you complete this payment, you will receive a receipt, which shows that payment has been made, which must be offered amongst other documents of the application. You will have to pay a Hungary Schengen visa fee in order for your application to be processed. Find out about the Schengen visa fee in our blog post: Schengen Visa Fees – How Much Does a Schengen Visa Cost?

Step 6: Receive your visa

Visa Application Processing Time in UK

You can apply for a Hungary Schengen Visa 6 months before your planned trip. Depending on the nationality of the applicant, the processing time may take at least 15 days from the day of application. In some cases when required documents are missing from the application, this process may take longer.

Therefore, to avoid unwanted complications, the Hungary Consulate General in London advises that you provide all required documents and submit your application at least 20 workdays (4 weeks) before the day you leave for Hungary.

Hungary Schengen Visa Application Decision

Approved – Once your visa is approved, it will be stamped in your passport. Make sure to carefully check the visa sticker to make sure everything is correct and exactly how you need it.
Rejected – if your visa has been rejected, it would have been for a specific reason and you have the right to appeal.

Common Hungary Schengen Visa Rejection Reasons

Marriage certificate missing – if you are applying for a visa for family reasons, you may have to prove family ties. This is why you must provide a marriage certificate
You applied for the wrong visa – it is your responsibility to apply for the correct visa depending on how long you are going to Hungary for and your reason for travelling there
It is not clear that you plan to return to the UK – it must be clear that you intend to return to the UK before the visa expires. If the visa staff have doubts about this, your visa will be rejected
The purpose of your trip cannot be established – the reason why you are planning to go to Hungary must be made clear. You can do this by providing specific documents like a full itinerary, work contract or invitation letter, etc.

What If My Hungary Schengen Visa Is Rejected?

If you receive a negative answer in your Hungary Schengen visa application, this does not mean you cannot ever travel to Hungary. You have two options.

File an appeal for Hungary Schengen visa rejection if you believe that the decision to deny you a visa is unjust. You should have a strong basis for your complaint. You can appeal this decision by writing an appeal letter for a Hungary Schengen visa rejection.
Reapply by correcting the mistakes you did in your previous application. Or improve your situation to comply with the eligibility criteria for a Hungary Schengen Visa.

Hungary Schengen Visa Extension

A person visiting Hungary on a Schengen visa is allowed by law to extend their visa if they have legitimate reasons. This could be either personal, professional, medical, emergency, or any other. The decisions to approve a Schengen visa extension request are handled case by case.

The duration you are allowed to stay in the country is stated in your Schengen visa sticker. It is important not to overstay during your trip to Hungary or the rest of the Schengen Zone or risk facing penalties like a fine, deportation, being banned from travelling back to the Schengen Zone, and having difficulties in your future Schengen applications.

There are also cases when people do not get any penalties for overstaying, for example a child or a person that cannot travel without a caretaker because of an illness or disability or an unforeseen event that prevents you from leaving the country, like COVID-19.

Find out more about overstaying in the Schengen visa in our blog post.

Schengen Visa Extension Application Process

If you wish to extend your visa and stay longer in the Schengen Zone, then you need to start getting ready for your application. The overall process of extending your HungarySchengen visa will involve:

Determining whether you have a justified reason to request for an extension
Submitting all the necessary documents. These include a valid passport that has the Schengen Visa used to get in the Schengen area stamped in it, one passport-sized photo, proof of financial subsistence, Schengen Visa Insurance that covers the extension duration, and all the documents that justify your reason for an extension
Paying visa fees where applicable
Attending a visa interview if necessary
Waiting for the approval

You must apply for a Schengen visa extension before it expires. It may take a few days to a month for the authorities to process your visa extension request, during which you are legally permitted to stay in the country where you applied for the Schengen visa but cannot travel to other Schengen countries. If your visa extension request is approved, you can extend your stay in the Schengen Area until the visa validity. If your visa extension application is rejected, you will have to leave the Schengen area as soon as possible.

Hungary Schengen Visa Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Hungary Schengen visa easy to get?

Yes, it's easy to apply for a Hungary Schengen visa! You can apply for the visa online or use immigration services like IAM to make the process even simpler for you and have a higher chance of your application being accepted.

How long does a Hungary Schengen visa take to process?

You can apply for a Hungarian Schengen visa up to 180 days before your planned trip. The Hungarian visa application process takes a minimum of 5 working days but can take up to 2 weeks. We advise you to make your application 3 weeks before your trip to make up for any possible delays in processing.

How much is a Schengen visa for Hungary?

The fee for a Hungarian Schengen visa is 80€ for adults, 40€ for children between 6-12 years of age, and free for children younger than 6 years of age. Keep in mind that these fees may change depending on currency fluctuations and can be paid only in UK Pounds. Payments can be made in cash and by credit or debit card.

How can I get a Hungary Schengen visa fast?

You can get a premium Schengen visa to get your Hungarian Schengen visa within 24 to 48 hours, which includes personalised advice from an expert immigration adviser.

How much money do I need to show in my bank account for a Hungary Schengen visa?

It depends on your accommodation in Hungary. You need £60 per day if staying in a hotel, £40.00 per day if you are staying in a hostel or similar, and £20.00 per day if you are staying with family or friends.

Are Euros used in Hungary?

The official currency of Hungary is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). A few places accept Euros but you will not get the best exchange rate from regular merchants. You should exchange your currency at a currency exchange office or a bank.

What other countries can I travel to on a Hungary Schengen visa?

You can travel to any of the 26 countries in the Schengen Area and 18 other countries.

Ready to apply for your Hungary Schengen visa? Is there anything we missed or anything you need clarification on? Comment below.

IaM can help with your visa application to the United States, the UK & other countries

If you need help with a US visa, a UK Visa, or visa to Europe, including help with appointment booking obligations, IaM can help. For more information and advice on US immigration, UK immigration law and US visa applications or if you need any help or assistance please, reach out to your Visa Coordinator at IaM.