Hungary - Habitual residency
This chapter provides information on the ‘habitual residency’ requirements you need to comply with in order to claim certain benefits in Hungary.
Am I a ‘habitual resident’?
A person is considered a habitual resident in Hungary when they have their centre of interests in Hungary and have a registered home in the country. A person has to declare their place of residence. The first day of stay in the territory of Hungary is, unless otherwise proven, the day on which an EEA national’s stay is reported, or the day on which the application for a residence card for a third-country citizen family member is submitted.
The resident home has to be declared at the local Office of Immigration and Nationality on the forms provided. Without this process, a person is not officially a habitual resident.
An EU national, who is only staying in Hungary, is entitled to medically necessary healthcare treatment if holding the European Health Insurance Card, but is not entitled to claim any benefit, allowance, fee or compensation.
Only a habitual resident can claim the benefits and allowances of the previous chapters.
What conditions do I need to meet?
Habitual residents, including persons falling within the scope of the Withdrawal Agreement concluded between the United Kingdom and the European Union, are entitled to claim social benefits if they are temporarily in need. However, if they receive certain types of income replacement social assistance permanently, after a certain period of time the immigration office may have to examine if they have enough resources (which is a prerequisite of the right to reside in Hungary) not to become an unreasonable burden for the Hungarian social assistance scheme.
Forms you may need to fill in
The forms necessary for establishing residence are administered by the Office of Immigration and Nationality (OIN). These forms are applicable for EU citizens (registration certificate, long-term residence permit) and their third-country family members (Registration card).
Know your rights
The link below set out your rights in law, it is not an European Commission site and does not represent the view of the Commission:
European Commission publication and website: