Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
Data collection on asylum statistics contains statistical information based on the Article 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 of Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 on Community statistics on migration and international protection.
Asylum applications:
Asylum, first time and subsequent applicants by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Persons subject of asylum applications pending at the end of month by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Asylum applications withdrawn by citizenship, age, sex and type of withdrawal (also for unaccompanied minors);
Asylum applicants having had their applications processed under the accelerated procedure by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Applicants having benefited from material reception conditions at the end of the reference year;
Asylum applicants considered to be unaccompanied minors by citizenship, age and sex.
Decisions on asylum applications:
First instance decisions on applications by citizenship, age, sex and type of decision (also for unaccompanied minors);
Decisions withdrawing status granted at first instance decision by citizenship, type of decision and type of reason (also for unaccompanied minors);
Final decisions in appeal or review on applications by citizenship, age, sex and type of decision (also for unaccompanied minors);
Decisions withdrawing status granted as final decision in appeal or review by citizenship, type of decision and type of reason (also for unaccompanied minors).
Resettled persons:
Resettled persons by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Resettled persons by citizenship, age, sex and country of previous residence;
Resettled persons by citizenship, age, sex and type of decision;
Resettled persons by citizenship, age, sex and resettlement framework.
In March 2022, the European Commission activated the Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55/EC for people from Ukraine seeking refuge.
Temporary protection:
Decisions granting temporary protection by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Beneficiaries of temporary protection at the end of the month by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors).
3.2. Classification system
Similar as Eurostat.
See table 3.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
3.3. Coverage - sector
Migration and asylum – Asylum statistics.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Similar definitions as Eurostat.
See table 3.4. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
3.5. Statistical unit
Persons.
3.6. Statistical population
Foreigners and stateless persons.
See table 3.6. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
3.7. Reference area
Hungary
3.8. Coverage - Time
Time coverage according to Regulation (EC) No 862/2007, from January 2008, eventually January 2021.
Data on first-time asylum applicants are not available from January 2008 to December 2012.
Data on withdrawn final decisions are not available from 2011 to 2014.
See table 3.8. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Number of persons.
Calendar month, calendar quarter and calendar year.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Act LXXX of 2007 was adopted to protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of displaced persons. It establishes the conditions for the granting of asylum, subsidiary protection, temporary protection and other humanitarian grounds for stay.
Since the establishment of the Immigration and Asylum Office of Hungary (2000), there is also asylum data collection. The Analysis and Coordination Unit was established in 2015.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
A cooperation agreement had been established between NDGAP and the Hungarian Central Statistical Office.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
All data used by the Statistics Division are confidential. All statistical staff are bound by confidentiality obligations. The Office has a designated Data Protection Officer.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
IT data protection for statistical data and data reporting. The data are anonymised in the statistical system and cannot be used to identify individuals (Data Protection Act and the Office's data protection rules).
8.1. Release calendar
There is no release calendar for Asylum statistics. Yearly statistics are available on the website of NDGAP (OIF).
8.2. Release calendar access
There is no release calendar for Asylum statistics.
8.3. Release policy - user access
Yearly statistics are available on the website of NDGAP.
Statistics concerning numbers of asylum applications and decisions are published yearly by NDGAP and Hungarian Central Statistical Office (Központi Statisztikai Hivatal (ksh.hu)).
Data collection and processing follow the established reporting schedule of Eurostat.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
There are no regular press releases on asylum data.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Data partly disseminated in PDF with annual results on website of the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing Statisztikák - kiadványfüzetek (gov.hu).
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Hungary does not maintain a publicly accessible online database for migration statistics.
However, data submitted to Eurostat is available through the Eurostat online database: Asylum (migr_asy) Statistics | Eurostat.
Hungary does not track the number of accesses to online databases.
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
The asylum statistics are published in the Eurostat online database under the folder "Asylum (t_migr_asy)" Statistics | Eurostat.
However, Hungary does not track the number of consultations of these data tables at the national level.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Not disseminated.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
No other dissemination formats.
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Not applicable.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Currently, there are no national methodological papers, summary documents, or handbooks available.
However, Hungary follows the EUROSTAT guidelines on asylum statistics, which define the methodologies, classifications, and data collection requirements used in the reporting process.
Statistics are provided by Hungarian authorities to ensure compliance with the requirements of Article 6 of Regulation 862/2007 on Community Statistics on Migration and International Protection. Statistics are based on administrative sources. Before publishing, consistent checks are implemented. As required by Article 9 of the Regulation 862/2007, Member States must report to Eurostat on the data sources used, the reasons for the selection of these sources and the effects of the selected data on the quality of the statistics. Member States shall provide it with all the information necessary to evaluate the quality, comparability and completeness of the statistical information.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
It covers almost all quality requirements. The quality checks are performed.
The quality of the data provided is good, but not all breakdowns can be provided. Missing disaggregation by type of applicant (from March 2022) and by age and sex (from March 2022 to December 2024) for persons granted temporary protection.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The statistics collected under the Regulation 862/2007 are used in official publications. The Asylum statistics produced are used by national authorities and organisations for the development and monitoring of national asylum and immigration procedures, and the projection of the future population and labour force.
At European level, the main users of Asylum statistics are Eurostat and DG Migration and Home Affairs. These statistics are used in several publications of the Commission, as well as in the preparation of regular reports, policy proposals and analysis. The statistics also provide an input to the European Migration Network (EMN) studies and reports.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
No feedback available.
12.3. Completeness
The status of minors (applicants) is missing from March 2022 for persons granted temporary protection. The age and sex are missing from March 2022 to December 2024 for persons granted temporary protection.
See table 12.3. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Not applicable.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Data are collected from reliable administrative sources. The data is accurate, there is no estimation.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Migration statistics in Hungary are derived from administrative data sources, not sample surveys.
As a result, non-sampling errors may occur due to incomplete or delayed data reporting, as well as standard data processing procedures.
No statistical adjustments or corrections are applied to compensate for such errors.
However, data consistency is ensured by following Eurostat’s methodological guidelines and performing basic validation checks before submission.
13.3.1. Coverage error
Migration statistics in Hungary are derived from administrative data sources, primarily the registers maintained by the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (NDGAP).
The data frame includes all third-country nationals who have applied for or hold a valid residence permit.
Due to the nature of administrative records, undercoverage may occur in cases where certain groups are not included in the database, such as short-term visitors from visa-exempt third countries who are not required to register.
No statistical adjustments are applied to correct these issues. However, administrative procedures and periodic updates help minimize inconsistencies in the data.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Hungary’s migration statistics are entirely based on administrative data sources, and no survey data is used for migration statistics compilation. Therefore, no comparison can be made between administrative and survey-based sources, making this concept not applicable to our data collection process.
13.3.2. Measurement error
Migration statistics in Hungary are derived entirely from administrative data sources, without survey-based data collection.
As a result, classical measurement errors related to survey methodology (e.g., respondent misunderstanding, interviewer mistakes) do not apply.
However, administrative records may contain data entry errors or delays in updating information.
These issues are minimized through internal validation procedures and compliance with Eurostat’s methodological guidelines. No additional statistical corrections are applied to adjust for potential measurement errors.
13.3.3. Non response error
Not applicable.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Migration statistics in Hungary are entirely based on administrative data sources, and no survey-based data collection is conducted.
As a result, classical unit non-response (where respondents fail to return a questionnaire) does not apply.
However, delays or missing records from certain administrative reporting entities may occasionally occur, affecting data completeness.
No statistical imputation is applied to compensate for missing units.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Since migration statistics are derived from administrative registers, there are no missing responses due to non-cooperation by individuals.
However, certain data fields may not always be available or fully recorded in administrative systems.
These cases are handled through standard administrative procedures, but no statistical imputation is applied to fill in missing values.
13.3.4. Processing error
Processing errors may occur due to data entry mistakes, delays in updates, or technical issues related to data extraction and transformation.
Standard validation procedures help minimize inconsistencies, and data are checked before submission to Eurostat to ensure compliance with methodological guidelines.
However, no additional statistical corrections or imputations are applied to adjust for potential processing errors.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Migration statistics in Hungary are entirely based on administrative data sources, and no statistical models or estimation methods are used to define the target population.
As a result, model assumption errors do not apply to our data collection process.
14.1. Timeliness
Data is supplied to Eurostat within the requested deadlines.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not applicable.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Not applicable.
14.2. Punctuality
Data are delivered on time.
See table 14.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Not applicable.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Not applicable.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Data are comparable over time.
See table 15.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Not applicable.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Overall data are coherent across ASYLUM domains.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Statistics are consistent within a given data set.
The statistics are based on administrative register data sources hence the cost and burden to produce the statistics can be assessed as moderate.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Revision is not planned. If errors are found in the raw data, or subsequent processing and analysis, the data will be corrected.
17.2. Data revision - practice
No planned revisions.
See table 17.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
Registry of the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing.
See table 18.1. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Data collection is continuous.
18.3. Data collection
Acquisition process and validation
Data is recorded in the NDGAP system manually by an officer during the application process.
The recorded information includes personal details and asylum-related data.
Quality control and validation checks
Built-in system validations ensure that required fields are completed and meet format constraints.
The extracted data undergoes additional validation checks before submission.
Corrections can be made within a limited timeframe if errors are identified before finalizing the records.
18.4. Data validation
Before publishing the data, consistent validation checks are performed. The uploaded files are also automatically validated by the Eurostat Data Portal.
Data collection on asylum statistics contains statistical information based on the Article 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 of Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 on Community statistics on migration and international protection.
Asylum applications:
Asylum, first time and subsequent applicants by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Persons subject of asylum applications pending at the end of month by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Asylum applications withdrawn by citizenship, age, sex and type of withdrawal (also for unaccompanied minors);
Asylum applicants having had their applications processed under the accelerated procedure by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Applicants having benefited from material reception conditions at the end of the reference year;
Asylum applicants considered to be unaccompanied minors by citizenship, age and sex.
Decisions on asylum applications:
First instance decisions on applications by citizenship, age, sex and type of decision (also for unaccompanied minors);
Decisions withdrawing status granted at first instance decision by citizenship, type of decision and type of reason (also for unaccompanied minors);
Final decisions in appeal or review on applications by citizenship, age, sex and type of decision (also for unaccompanied minors);
Decisions withdrawing status granted as final decision in appeal or review by citizenship, type of decision and type of reason (also for unaccompanied minors).
Resettled persons:
Resettled persons by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Resettled persons by citizenship, age, sex and country of previous residence;
Resettled persons by citizenship, age, sex and type of decision;
Resettled persons by citizenship, age, sex and resettlement framework.
In March 2022, the European Commission activated the Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55/EC for people from Ukraine seeking refuge.
Temporary protection:
Decisions granting temporary protection by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Beneficiaries of temporary protection at the end of the month by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors).
15 September 2025
Similar definitions as Eurostat.
See table 3.4. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
Persons.
Foreigners and stateless persons.
See table 3.6. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
Hungary
Calendar month, calendar quarter and calendar year.
Data are collected from reliable administrative sources. The data is accurate, there is no estimation.
Number of persons.
Not applicable.
Registry of the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing.
See table 18.1. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
Statistics concerning numbers of asylum applications and decisions are published yearly by NDGAP and Hungarian Central Statistical Office (Központi Statisztikai Hivatal (ksh.hu)).
Data collection and processing follow the established reporting schedule of Eurostat.
Data is supplied to Eurostat within the requested deadlines.
Not applicable.
Data are comparable over time.
See table 15.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
