Important: Your permanent residence card may become invalid on 3 August 2026
If you are a non-EU family member of a Hungarian or another EEA national and live in Hungary with a permanent residence card issued between 3 August 2016 and 2 August 2021, an important deadline is approaching. Your card will automatically become invalid on 3 August 2026, so you must apply to the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing for a new residence document by 27 July at the latest.
This information is relevant to you if:
- you are not an EU citizen; and
- you live in Hungary as the family member of an EEA national or a Hungarian citizen; and
- you hold a document called a permanent residence card; and
- your card was issued between 3 August 2016 and 2 August 2021.
Under an EU regulation, these permanent residence cards will automatically become invalid on 3 August 2026. This will happen even if a later expiry date is printed on your card.
What do you need to do?
You must apply for a new residence document from the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing, or OIF, by 27 July 2026 at the latest.
If you are the family member of a Hungarian citizen and normally live in Hungary, you may apply for either a national residence card or an EU residence card.
You can submit your application in one of two ways:
- In person at the OIF regional directorate responsible for your place of residence. You must book an appointment in advance. If no appointments are available, go to the customer service office during opening hours and ask for a queue number. Bring the information letter you received from OIF and your permanent residence card with you.
- Online through the Enter Hungary platform.
Before submitting your application, check the OIF website or the Enter Hungary platform to find out exactly which documents you need to attach and whether you must pay an administrative fee.
Information on the OIF website:
https://oif.gov.hu/tajekoztatok/nemzeti-tartozkodasi-kartya
https://oif.gov.hu/tajekoztatok/eu-tartozkodasi-kartya
Do not leave it until the last minute
If you do not apply for a new document before 27 July 2026, your residence card will no longer be valid from 3 August 2026, and you will lose your right to reside in Hungary. As a result, proceedings may also be started against you for expulsion due to unlawful residence.
If your circumstances have changed since your permanent residence card was issued – for example, you no longer live in Hungary as the family member of a Hungarian or another EEA national but you still normally reside here, or you have left Hungary for more than six months in recent years – or if you are unsure which residence document you should apply for, contact the OIF regional directorate responsible for your place of residence. Ask them to check your details and help you regularise your residence status.
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