Hungary Introduces Exam for Permanent Residency Applicants

As of January 1, 2025, Hungary has tightened the requirements for foreigners seeking permanent residency. Applicants must now pass an exam on Hungarian culture and history to demonstrate their readiness to integrate into society, according to Helpers.hu reporting.

The written test is conducted in Hungarian and consists of 12 questions, which must be answered within 60 minutes. At present, the exam is only available in Budapest, as noted by Imidaily here.

Exam Content & Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of:
- Hungary’s national symbols and holidays
- Key historical events that shaped the country
- Hungarian literature and music
- Major state institutions
- Rights and responsibilities of residents
- Hungary’s role in Europe and daily life

The exam fee is HUF 20,000 (€50). To register, applicants must complete a form and submit a copy of their passport. Study materials and further details are available on the official government website.

Introduction of the "National Residence Card"

Under the new law, the term "permanent residency" has been replaced by the "National Residence Card" (NRC). To qualify, applicants must prove three years of continuous and lawful residence in Hungary.

Officials emphasize that this change ensures that only candidates with strong ties to Hungary can obtain long-term residency.

Hungary’s Stricter Immigration Policies

Hungary has been tightening migration rules for some time. For instance, since July 1, 2024, new regulations require employers to prove there are no suitable local candidates before hiring foreign workers.

Additional measures include:
- Private recruitment agencies are banned from hiring foreign workers from third countries.
- Only 15 countries are eligible for Hungary’s work migration program, including North Macedonia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan.
- In 2025, the quota for foreign workers has been cut to 35,000, down 50% from 65,000 in 2024.

According to the Ministry of National Economy, this decision aligns with Hungary’s policy of prioritizing local workers. Officials have explicitly stated:

"Hungary belongs to Hungarians; it will not become a country of guest workers or migrants."

The Exam: More Difficult Than in Other EU Countries

Hungary’s new permanent residency test is considered more challenging than similar exams in other European countries. Although it does not include a language proficiency section, it is entirely conducted in Hungarian and covers complex topics.

These new rules affect several categories of foreigners, including:
- Workers and students seeking long-term residency.
- Investors, who must now prove cultural integration, rather than just making financial contributions.

Analysts suggest the new measures could significantly reduce the number of foreigners applying for residency. While this may ease pressure on social services, it could also discourage foreign professionals and investors, potentially impacting Hungary’s economy negatively.

Future Changes: A Hungarian Language Test?

Hungarian authorities have repeatedly stated that their goal is not just migration control, but ensuring that residency is granted only to those who truly deserve it.

Experts predict that further requirements may be introduced in the coming years, such as:
- A mandatory Hungarian language test for permanent residency.
- Additional integration criteria for foreign applicants.

Currently, there is no official language test for permanent residency, but the culture and history exam already assumes basic Hungarian proficiency. If the tightening trend continues, new criteria could be added soon.

These policy changes are not merely technical adjustments, but part of Hungary’s long-term strategy to strictly regulate immigration.