Temporary protection: Hungary
🛰️ Varta monitors 6 official sources for this country — checked daily.
Legal basis: EU Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55/EC + government decree • status valid until 04/03/2027 • already extended until 04/03/2028
Steps
- 1
Cross the border
Visa-free entry.
📍 Border crossing💳 Free - 2
Apply for protection at OIF
Apply for átmeneti védelem at the Országos Idegenrendészeti Főigazgatóság (OIF). You receive a menedékkártya — residence, work, healthcare, education rights.
📍 OIF / police⏰ As soon as possible💳 Free - 3
Healthcare, school, aid
For healthcare covered by law, show your protection document to the provider. A TAJ card is not a prerequisite for that care; an employer requests it when you are employed. Enrol children at the local school or kindergarten.
📍 Healthcare provider / school; TAJ through the employer💳 Free
Documents
Foreign passport
requiredChild’s birth certificate
requiredProof of residence before 24.02.2022
if availablePhoto
requiredUkrainian Embassies and Consulates
Map
Document samples and how to fill them
Surname and first name in LATIN letters as in the passport.
Format YYYY.MM.DD.
Foreign passport number.
Address in Hungary: city, postcode, street, number.
❌ Name in Cyrillic ❌ Date format (in Hungary the year comes first)
As in the passport.
Format YYYY.MM.DD.
Protection card number.
❌ Without menedékkártya (protection first) ❌ Date format
Benefits
Labour market access
Menedékkártya holders.
How to apply: Automatic
Healthcare under temporary protection
Temporary protection holders; employment-based health insurance is a separate basis.
How to apply: Show your protection document to the provider. Access guidance: https://help.unhcr.org/hungary/healthcare/
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Where to apply
What happens after protection ends
After protection: tartózkodási engedély on other grounds (work, study, family), permanent residence after 5 years.
What happens when protection ends
These are options for the future — you will need to choose ONE, and not now.
These routes are available outside temporary protection — work, study, family, business, etc.
The description below is a general scheme, similar across countries. Check exact requirements, fees and timelines via the official link in each card — they differ by country and change over time.
💼 Work-based residence — Hungary
Those with a valid employment contract in this country.
Passport; employment contract; proof of residence. Authority: OIF (Immigration Office).
- Foreign passport
- Employment contract
- Proof of residence
- Health insurance (optional)
OIF (Immigration Office)
The employer or the applicant files; the immigration authority decides.
Before the current status or permit expires.
- Collect the card/decision
- Register address and social number
Renewable together with the contract.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🎓 Study — Hungary
Enrolment at an accredited institution.
Acceptance letter; proof of funds; housing; insurance.
- Foreign passport
- Acceptance letter
- Proof of funds
- Health insurance (optional)
OIF (Immigration Office)
Apply via the institution or the immigration authority.
Before the semester starts.
- Register at the institution and locally
Yearly with continued studies.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
👨👩👧👦 Family reunification — Hungary
Spouse, children or relatives of a resident or citizen.
Marriage/birth certificates; housing; sponsor income.
- Foreign passport
- Marriage/birth certificate
- Sponsor income proof
- Proof of residence
OIF (Immigration Office)
The sponsor or family files; documents need apostille and translation.
Before the current status expires.
- Collect the family member card
Renewable; a path to permanent residence.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🏢 Self-employment/business — Hungary
Company or self-employment registration; business plan or contracts.
Registration documents; tax number; funds; housing.
- Foreign passport
- Company/self-employment registration
- Business plan or contracts (optional)
- Proof of residence
OIF (Immigration Office)
Register the business, then apply for residence as an entrepreneur.
Before the current status expires.
- Tax registration and bank account
Tied to the company activity.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🏠 Permanent residence — Hungary
Usually after 5 years of continuous legal residence.
Stable income; housing; integration/language per national rules.
- Foreign passport
- Income proof
- Proof of residence
- Language/integration certificate (optional)
OIF (Immigration Office)
Apply once the required residence period is met.
After the required residence period is met.
- Obtain permanent resident status
Permanent status; card replaced periodically.
Temporary protection time often counts towards the period (per national rules).
Opportunities: housing, jobs, grants
6 verified programmes: housing support, job portals, business grants, free courses — with direct official links and verification dates. Available with Varta.
Forms & samples (PDF)
FAQ
Do I need to do anything to keep my protection after the current period?
In Hungary no action is needed: the menedékes (temporary protection) card is extended automatically by government decree and is currently valid until 4 March 2027, even if an earlier expiry date is printed on the plastic card. There is no application, no in-person appointment and no card replacement. However, as of 3 September 2026 Hungary has not yet adopted the decree covering the next period (to 4 March 2028), so check the OIF "Hírek" section in January–February 2027. Where: Országos Idegenrendészeti Főigazgatóság (OIF / National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing), oif.gov.hu. Особистий візит НЕ потрібен для продовження — воно відбувається силою закону (196/2025. (VII. 8.) Korm. rendelet 2. § (4)). Important: Головне застереження: угорська норма прив'язана до дати, а не до рішення Ради автоматично. Чинна постанова 196/2025 (у редакції 401/2025. (XII. 16.), чинній з 02.01.2026) називає конкретну дату — 2027. március 4. Станом на 03.09.2026 Угорщина ще не ухвалила зміну, яка вписала б 2028. március 4. Сторінка OIF «A menedékes okmány érvényességi ideje» востаннє редагована 05.02.2026 і 2028 рік не згадує; у стрічці новин OIF станом на вересень 2026 нічого про новий строк немає. Історична модель: у грудні 2025 постанову змінили (401/2025), а наприкінці лютого 2026 OIF оприлюднив повідомлення. Source: https://oif.gov.hu/a-menedekes-okmany-ervenyessegi-ideje (checked 03.09.2026).
What is the menedékkártya?
The temporary protection card — confirms status and grants residence, work, healthcare rights.
Can I work?
Yes, protection status gives free labour market access.
Where do I apply for protection?
At the OIF (Budapest) or via local police. The Helsinki Committee offers free legal aid.
This information is for reference only and is not legal advice.