Volunteer in Hungary

Conditions

You can apply to be a volunteer in Hungary if you take part in a voluntary service on the basis of a voluntary service agreement concluded with a host entity provided for in special law (Act LXXXVIII of 2005 on Voluntary Activities of Public Concern) for providing voluntary services in the public interest, furthermore, to volunteers participating in the European Solidarity Corps.

If you fulfil the conditions, you will be issued a residence permit.

Procedures

Where and how to apply

Visa entitling you to a residence permit

You have to apply for a visa, which entitles you to receive the residence permit before admission to the country at the embassy or consulate in your country of origin or, in certain cases, in the country of legal residence.

Residence permit

Upon your arrival, you have to obtain your residence permit for the purpose of traineeship at the competent regional directorate of the immigration authority of your place of residence.

Fees

1. Procedural fee for issuing a residence permit and issuing an entry visa for the purpose of receiving the residence permit: EUR 110.
2. Procedural fee for issuing a residence permit in case of an application submitted in Hungary in person: HUF 39 000.
3. Procedural fee for issuing a residence permit in case of an application submitted in Hungary via the Enter Hungary platform: HUF 26 000.
4. Procedural fee for extension of the residence permit: HUF 26 000.

Documents required

Documents proving the purpose of residence

The purpose of residence can be proved by a voluntary contract concluded with the host organisation.

Documents proving means of subsistence in Hungary

One of the following documents must be submitted as proof that the applicant has sufficient resources, i.e. (s)he can cover costs related to his/her subsistence, accommodation, return/onward travel (i.e. exit from Hungary) and healthcare services from legally acquired income and savings:

• a certificate from a credit institution under the applicant’s name (e.g., a bank account statement, an account statement on savings or stocks and bonds, bank balance statement);
• a notarised declaration made by the applicant's family member, who undertakes to ensure the applicant's maintenance and care, and with a document certifying the maintenance capacity of the person undertaking the maintenance;
• a document on regular income issued by the employer or the tax authority;
• other credible means.

Documents proving that the applicant has a place of accommodation in Hungary

You shall provide proof of an address in Hungary as accommodation. No separate document needs to be attached to the notification.

Documents proving that the applicant has a health insurance

Documentary evidence must be submitted as proof that the applicant has access to comprehensive health insurance services covering all healthcare services or that (s)he can cover the costs of such services.

An applicant meets this condition in the following cases:

• (s)he qualifies as a person with health insurance services under social security;
• (s)he has access to the Hungarian health insurance services within the framework of an international convention/treaty or agreement;
• (s)he can cover the costs of his/her healthcare services based on documents in proof of his/her means of subsistence available in Hungary.

Documents proving that the applicant meets the conditions of exit (i.e. conditions to a return/onward travel)

Meeting the conditions of exit may be proved by:

• a valid passport;
• having a valid ticket/valid tickets for the relevant travel or the amount of money to cover the costs of the travel.

Other required documents

• Attaching/enclosing 1 facial photograph to/with the application is required.

In case of an extension, attaching/enclosing documents on unchanged conditions again is not required.

Further requirements

You must not be subject to an entry ban or an alert in the Schengen Information System for the purposes of refusing entry, nor must your entry and stay threaten public policy, public health or public security in Hungary.

Duration of validity of permits

The validity period of a residence permit for the purpose of voluntary activities shall be at least one year and shall be at most two years. If the term of the volunteer agreement is less than one year, the validity period of the residence permit shall be the same as the term of the hosting agreement.

The validity period of the residence permit is to be determined ascertaining that the travel document must be valid for at least 3 additional months beyond the date of expiry of the residence permit.

Conditions for renewal

Submission of applications for the extension of a residence permit for the purpose of voluntary activity is only available within the territory of Hungary, via the platform of Enter Hungary. Please be informed that the extension of the residence permit is only possible if you are a holder of a valid residence permit at the time of application submission, and you resided within the territory of Hungary with your residence permit at least for 90 days in any 180-day period.

An application for the extension of a residence permit for the purpose of voluntary activity is to be submitted at least 30 days prior to the date of expiry of the issued residence permit.

Appeals

Appeals against decisions of regional offices regarding residence permits can be brought within 8 days of delivery to the immigration authority, or to the Hungarian diplomatic or consular mission where the application was submitted.

Rights

Change of status

During the validity period of a residence permit for the purpose of voluntary activity and after its date of expiry, the application for the issuance of a residence permit under another legal title is not allowed in Hungary.

Family members

Family members of a third-country national who is a holder of a residence permit for the purpose of voluntary activity or an applicant for a residence permit for the purpose of voluntary activity may not be granted a residence permit for family reunification.

An exception to this is if a third-country national holding a residence permit for the purpose of voluntary activities gives birth to a third-country national child in Hungary during the period of validity of the residence permit, as in this case the child will receive a residence permit issued for the purpose of family reunification after notification on the child’s birth.

Long-term residence

Third-country nationals who are holders of a residence permit for the purpose of voluntary activity may not be granted a national residence card.