Hungary
Long-term residence in Hungary
After 3 years of legal residence in Hungary you can apply for a national residence card; after 5 years, for an EU residence card.
News · Hungary
Cultural knowledge exam: under-14s and persons under guardianship exempted
The Magyar Közlöny (official journal) of 13 August 2025 published an amendment to Government Decree 35/2024. (II. 29.). The amendment exempts two groups from the Hungarian cultural knowledge exam that has been required since 1 January 2025 for applications for the national residence card and the EU residence card. The decree entered into force on the day after its promulgation and also applies to pending cases.
Summary
In brief
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Government Decree 267/2025. (VIII. 13.) was published in issue 94 of the Magyar Közlöny of 2025 on 13 August 2025 and entered into force on the day after promulgation, 14 August 2025.
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Exempt from the exam are "a third-country national who has not reached the age of 14" and "a third-country national placed under guardianship by a final court judgment".
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Those who previously passed the exam in connection with another immigration procedure, and applicants for a national residence card issued in the national interest, remain exempt.
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The Government put the draft out for public consultation on 29 July 2025; the deadline for comments was 6 August 2025.
Background
What happened
Since 1 January 2025, an application for the national residence card or the EU residence card has been conditional on meeting the conditions of social coexistence, which the applicant proves by passing the Hungarian cultural knowledge exam. The exam is organised by the Government Office of the Capital City Budapest, which notifies the applicant in writing at least 15 working days before the exam.
On 29 July 2025 the Government published the draft amendment to the implementing decree. According to the content summary, the aim of the amendment is to exempt third-country nationals under 14 and those placed under guardianship by a final court judgment from the exam requirement. The decree was promulgated on 13 August 2025 as Government Decree 267/2025. (VIII. 13.). It entered into force on the day after promulgation, and its provisions also apply to proceedings pending at the time of entry into force.
The information page of the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (OIF) now lists the two new groups among those exempt. The exam fee is HUF 20,000 per attempt; it is taken in writing, in Hungarian, in Budapest.
For you
What it means for you
- Families applying with children: if the family applies for the national residence card together, children under 14 do not have to sit the exam. For adult applicants the exam remains a condition.
- Settlement plans: the other conditions of the national residence card are unchanged: at least 3 years of lawful, uninterrupted residence in Hungary, secured accommodation and means of subsistence, and the certificate of the exam.
- Pending cases: the exemption also applies to proceedings already pending at entry into force, so children do not have to sit the exam retrospectively in applications submitted earlier.
- Information: when you request a quote, we will brief you in detail on the conditions of the national residence card and on how to register for the exam.
Programmes
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Sources
Sources
Last checked:
- Magyar Közlöny 2025 issue 94: Government Decree 267/2025. (VIII. 13.) – 13 August 2025 (opens in a new tab)
- National Legislation Database (Nemzeti Jogszabálytár): Government Decree 267/2025. (VIII. 13.) – 13 August 2025 (opens in a new tab)
- Government of Hungary: amendment of Government Decree 35/2024. (II. 29.) – public consultation – 29 July 2025 (opens in a new tab)
- National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing: Hungarian cultural knowledge exam – 3 March 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing: National residence card – 3 March 2026 (opens in a new tab)