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News · Hungary
KSH: 252,290 foreign citizens lived in Hungary on 1 January 2026
On 26 June 2026 the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) updated its annual data series on foreign citizens residing in Hungary. On 1 January 2026, 252,290 foreign citizens were residing in the country, compared with 255,443 a year earlier. By purpose of stay, gainful activity remained the largest group, but the numbers residing for studies and for settlement continued to grow.
Summary
In brief
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On 1 January 2026, 252,290 foreign citizens were residing in Hungary (2025: 255,443; 2024: 250,912).
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By purpose of stay: gainful activity 94,482 (2025: 100,643), studies 42,874 (38,752), settlement 39,191 (38,998), family reunification 26,992 (27,275), international protection 6,588, other and unknown 42,163.
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133,796 were citizens of European and 97,390 of Asian countries. Among the largest groups are Chinese (29,157), German (25,918), Ukrainian (17,262), Slovak (17,060) and Romanian (15,561) citizens.
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The data come from KSH STADAT tables 22.1.1.23 and 22.1.1.25; last updated 26 June 2026.
Background
What happened
Each year the KSH publishes, as at 1 January, the number of foreign citizens residing in Hungary by citizenship and by purpose of stay. According to the tables updated on 26 June 2026, 252,290 foreign citizens were residing in the country on 1 January 2026: fewer than the 255,443 on 1 January 2025, but more than the 250,912 on 1 January 2024.
By purpose of stay, gainful activity is the largest group with 94,482 people, although it fell from 100,643 in one year. The number residing for studies rose from 38,752 to 42,874 and the number residing for settlement from 38,998 to 39,191. The number residing for family reunification changed from 27,275 to 26,992; 6,588 were under international protection and 42,163 had other or unknown purposes.
By citizenship, 133,796 were citizens of European and 97,390 of Asian countries. Among the largest groups are Chinese (29,157), German (25,918), Ukrainian (17,262), Slovak (17,060) and Romanian (15,561) citizens.
For you
What it means for you
- Family reunification: 26,992 people were residing for family reunification, around 27,000 for the third consecutive year. Among the named purposes of stay it follows gainful activity, studies and settlement.
- Long-term residence: the number residing for settlement has grown for three years in a row (37,175, 38,998, 39,191). If you have lived in Hungary for several years, the national residence card may be the next step.
- White Card: digital nomads do not appear as a separate category in the KSH breakdown; the statistics show the overall picture of residence, not the demand for individual titles.
- Information: when you request a quote, we will brief you in detail on which residence title fits your circumstances and what conditions it carries.
Programmes
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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.