Eligibility Quiz
Are you currently a family member of a recognized refugee or subsidiary protection beneficiary already living in Hungary?
Application Process
Applying for international protection in Hungary currently follows a restrictive two-stage process known as the "embassy procedure." Unless you fall under specific exceptions, you cannot apply for asylum from within Hungary or at its borders; you must first obtain a special entry permit from a designated Hungarian embassy abroad.
Stage 1: The Embassy Procedure (Declaration of Intent)
Before you can enter Hungary to seek protection, you must undergo a pre-screening process.
- Visit a Designated Embassy: You must appear in person at one of the two designated Hungarian embassies currently authorized to handle these requests:
- Belgrade, Serbia
- Kyiv, Ukraine (Note: Check current security conditions before traveling).
- Submit the Statement of Intent: You must fill out and submit a formal Szándéknyilatkozat (Statement of Intent) form. This document explains why you are seeking protection in Hungary.
- Wait for NDGAP Assessment: The embassy will forward your statement to the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (NDGAP) in Budapest. They have 60 days to review your statement.
- Receive the Entry Permit: If the NDGAP approves your statement, the embassy will issue you a single-entry permit. This is not a grant of asylum; it is simply permission to enter Hungary to start the actual application. You must enter Hungary within 30 days of receiving this permit.
Stage 2: Formal Asylum Application in Hungary
Once you have entered Hungary using your permit, you must immediately begin the formal process.
- Lodge the Application: Visit the nearest NDGAP office to formally lodge your asylum application.
- Provide Biometrics: During this visit, officials will take your fingerprints and photographs.
- The Interview: You will be interviewed by an asylum officer. You must explain your "well-founded fear" of persecution or the risk of "serious harm" in your home country.
- Admissibility Check: Within the first 15 days, the NDGAP will check if your case is "inadmissible." A common reason for rejection is if you traveled through a "safe third country" (like Serbia) to reach Hungary.
- The Decision: The NDGAP has 60 days from the date you lodged your application to issue a final decision. You will be granted one of two statuses:
- Refugee Status (Menekült): For those persecuted for race, religion, nationality, social group, or politics.
- Subsidiary Protection (Oltalmazott): For those facing a risk of the death penalty, torture, or indiscriminate violence in their home country.
Exceptions (Direct Application)
You may apply directly within Hungary at an NDGAP office without the embassy procedure if:
- You are already a beneficiary of Subsidiary Protection in Hungary.
- You are a family member of a recognized refugee or subsidiary protection beneficiary already in Hungary.
- You are an individual arriving from Ukraine who qualifies for Temporary Protection.
Fees
The Hungarian government does not charge fees for the international protection procedure.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Statement of Intent (Embassy Stage) | 0 HUF |
| Asylum Application (NDGAP Stage) | 0 HUF |
| Biometrics and ID Issuance | 0 HUF |
| Official Translation of Essential Documents | 0 HUF (Provided by NDGAP) |
| Legal Aid (via NGOs) | 0 HUF |
Total Estimate: 0 HUF
Does not include: Travel costs to Belgrade or Kyiv, private legal counsel, accommodation after the first 30 days of recognition, or translations of non-essential supporting documents.
Processing Time
The timeline for seeking protection in Hungary is divided into the pre-screening phase and the merit-based phase.
- Embassy Statement Review: 60 days from submission in Belgrade or Kyiv.
- Entry Deadline: You must enter Hungary within 30 days of receiving your entry permit.
- Admissibility Phase: 15 days after lodging the formal application in Hungary.
- Formal Decision: 60 days from the date the application is lodged.
- Total Estimated Timeline: 6 to 9 months (Note: This can be significantly longer if you choose to appeal a negative decision in court).
Document Validity:
- Residence Permit: If your application is successful, you will receive a permit valid for 3 years.
- Mandatory Review: Hungary conducts a mandatory review of your status every 3 years to determine if the protection is still necessary. If the situation in your home country has improved, your status may be revoked.