Guide to temporary entry into Hungary under CETA

On this page

• Short-term business visitors
• Business visitors for investment purposes
• Investors
• Contractual service suppliers
• Independent professionals
• Intra-corporate transferees

This guide is for a Canadian business person temporarily travelling to Hungary to do business. It provides general information about temporary entry and stay requirements for business people under the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and under Hungarian law. This guide aims to facilitate the entry of Canadian business people into Hungary for the purposes of exploring, entering and expanding operations in the Hungarian market. You will find relevant links and summaries of main steps for work permit and visa applications, including costs and lengths, for the categories of business people covered in CETA.

Text of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement – Chapter 10: Temporary entry and stay of natural persons for business purposes

CETA entered into force provisionally in 2017, which means that Hungary is bound by the Temporary Entry Chapter. However, there are still significant differences between CETA requirements and the national Hungarian laws regulating temporary entry. As such, some of the paths for entry identified in this guide do not fully overlap with the categories of business people covered in CETA.  

For any questions regarding Hungary's temporary entry commitments under CETA, please contact: enquiry-demande.TE@international.gc.ca

Short-term business visitor

Do I qualify as a short-term business visitor under CETA?

Under CETA, a short-term business visitor is a Canadian traveling to Hungary for one of the following activities:  

• meetings and consultations
• research and design
• marketing research
• training seminars
• trade fairs and exhibitions
• sales (negotiations or taking orders, cannot deliver goods or services themselves);
• purchasing
• after-sales or after-lease service
• commercial transactions as an employee of a Canadian enterprise (management and supervisory or financial services personnel only)
• tourism/travel operations as an employee of a Canadian enterprise
• translation and interpretation

The detailed list of activities can be found under Annex 10-D of CETA.  

A short-term business visitor cannot:

• sell a good or a service to the general public
• receive payment from a source located in Hungary
• provide any other service to a consumer in Hungary that is not listed under activities of a business visitor

Under CETA a Canadian short-term business visitor can stay in Hungary for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.

Do I need a work permit or a visa as a short-term business visitor?

Under CETA, an eligible short-term business visitor does not need a work permit but may need a visa.

Under Hungarian law, Canadian nationals do not require a Schengen C visa to enter the EU. They are entitled to stay within the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period (rolling period).

Canadian companies can also send non-Canadian nationals locally hired for short-term business travel in Hungary. In this case, a Schengen C visa may be required, if they are not nationals of a visa-exempt country. Applications for Schengen C visas must be filed with the relevant Hungarian consulate or embassy. The processing time is approximately two weeks.

Related links

• Schengen area
• Schengen calculator
• Schengen C Visa exempt countries (Annex II)
• Work permit exemption information

Under Hungarian law, short-term business visitors arriving to Hungary cannot have their main residence in Hungary.

No work permit application process is required as these are work permit-exempted activities. For more information, consult the EU Immigration Portal for Hungary.

Business visitor for investment purposes

Note: The business visitors for investment purposes category is covered under CETA, but does not exist under Hungarian law. A Canadian business visitor for investment purposes may qualify under the short-term business visitor category. If you have encountered problems entering Hungary as a business visitor for investment purposes, please contact: enquiry-demande.TE@international.gc.ca

Do I qualify as business visitor for investment purposes under CETA? 

Under CETA, a Canadian business visitor for investment purposes is a Canadian manager or specialist responsible for setting up an enterprise in Hungary.

A Canadian business visitor for investment purposes cannot:

• work directly with the general public in Hungary
• receive compensation from a source located within Hungary

Under CETA, Canadian business visitors for investment purposes can stay in Hungary for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Do I need a work permit or a visa as a business visitor for investment purposes?

There are no specific provisions for a business visitor for investment purposes in Hungary, but business visitors may perform general activities such attending business meetings, conferences or seminars and negotiating business deals. Their stay must be limited to a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen Area.

For more information, consult the EU immigration portal for Hungary.

Investor

Do I qualify as an investor under CETA? 

Under CETA, an investor is a Canadian supervisor or executive, responsible for establishing, developing, or operating an investment, that they or their employing enterprise have committed, or are in the process of committing, a substantial amount of capital to.

Under CETA, Canadian investors can stay in Hungary for up to 90 days where the investor is not employed by a Hungarian enterprise. Extensions are possible at the discretion of Hungarian officials.

Do I need a work permit or a visa as an investor?

Hungary’s national law and regulations do require a work permit for investors who are looking to stay for up to 90 days.

In light of the absence of a suitable immigration route, investors can only opt for visiting under a Schengen C visa to enter the EU. They are entitled to stay within the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period (rolling period).

Canadian companies can also send non-Canadian nationals locally hired for short-term business travel in Hungary. In this case, a Schengen C visa may be required, if they are not nationals of a visa-exempt country. Applications for Schengen C visas must be filed with the relevant Hungarian consulate or embassy. The processing time is approximately two weeks.

For more information, consult the EU Immigration Portal for Hungary.

Related links

• Schengen area
• Schengen calculator
• Schengen C Visa exempt countries (Annex II)
• Work permit exemption information

Contractual service supplier

Do I qualify as a contractual services supplier under CETA? 

Under CETA, a contractual services supplier is a Canadian service supplier employed by an enterprise in Canada with a contract to provide a service to a consumer in Hungary in an eligible service sector. A list of eligible services sectors under CETA is found under CETA Annex 10-E, number 9.

A Canadian contractual service supplier must also:

• have provided services as an employee of the contracted Canadian enterprise for at least one year before the date of their application for entry into Hungary
• have a university degree or an equivalent qualification
• have at least 3 years of professional experience since the age of 18 in the sector of the contracted activity
• have any professional qualifications required to practice the activity according to the laws or requirements in Hungary

A Canadian contractual service supplier cannot get paid for their services during their stay in Hungary other than what is paid to them by their Canadian employers.

The Canadian enterprise that employs a Canadian contractual service supplier cannot have any establishment in Hungary.

Fulfillment of the contract must require the temporary presence of the Canadian contractual service supplier in Hungary.

Under CETA, a Canadian contractual services supplier can stay in Hungary for up to 12 consecutive months, or for the duration of the contract, whichever is shorter. Extensions are possible at the discretion of Hungarian officials.

Do I need a work permit or a visa as a contractual service supplier?

Hungarian legislation does not provide for an entry route specifically for contractual service suppliers. However, it offers an alternative immigration route for service suppliers by applying for a residence permit for the purposes of employment.

For more information, consult the EU Immigration Portal for Hungary.

What are the eligibility requirements for a residence permit for the purposes of employment?

You will need to provide the following documents to apply for the residence permit:

• Document verifying the purpose
• Documents in proof of means of subsistence in Hungary
• Documents verifying the existence of Hungarian accommodation
• Documents verifying the existence of comprehensive health insurance
• Documents evidencing the conditions of exit

More information can be found on the EU Immigration Portal for Hungary.

How do I apply for the residence permit for the purposes of employment?

The process for obtaining a residence permit consist of the following steps:

Step 1: Submission of the application for the residence permit either online or in person;

Step 2: Issuance of the approval;

Step 3: Once in Hungary, notification by the Hungarian host entity to authorities.

How long will it take to process a residence permit for the purposes of employment? 

Average processing times are approximately three months.

How much will it cost for a residence permit for the purposes of employment?

The typical fee for a residence permit is EUR 60

More information about the residence permit for the purposes of employment can be found on the EU immigration portal for Hungary.

Independent professional

Do I qualify as an independent professional under CETA?

Under CETA, an independent professional is a self-employed Canadian service supplier with a contract to supply a service to a consumer in Hungary in an eligible sector. A list of eligible services sectors under CETA is found under CETA Annex 10-E, number 9.

A Canadian independent professional must also have:

• at least six years of professional experience in the sector of the contracted activity at the date of application of entry
• a university degree or equivalent qualification
• any professional qualifications required to practice the activity, according to the laws or requirements in Hungary

Other requirements:

• a Canadian independent professional must not have established an enterprise in Hungary
• fulfillment of the contract must require the temporary presence of the independent professional in Hungary

Under CETA, a Canadian independent professional can stay in Hungary for up to 12 consecutive months, or for the duration of the contract, whichever is less. Extensions are possible at the discretion of Hungary’s officials.

Do I need a work permit or a visa as an independent professional?

Under Hungarian law, Canadian nationals who intend to reside and provide services in Hungary as self-employed can benefit from the residence permit for the purposes of gainful activity, suitable for individuals who want to exercise a self-employed activity in Hungary.

The residence permit for the residence permit for the purposes of gainful activity is typically valid for a maximum duration of three years. The residence permit is renewable upon request, for another three years, if the conditions for obtaining it remain fulfilled.

For more information, consult the EU Immigration Portal for Hungary.

What are the eligibility requirements for a residence permit for the purposes of gainful activity?

Depending on the type of independent profession, the following eligibility requirements must be complied with: 

• documents verifying the purpose of residence;
• documents in proof of means of subsistence in Hungary;
• documents verifying the existence of Hungarian accommodation;
• documents verifying the existence of comprehensive health insurance;
• documents evidencing the conditions of exit.

How do I apply for the residence permit for the purposes of gainful sctivity?

The process for obtaining a self-Employed residence permit consists of the following steps:

Step 1: Submission of the application for residence permit either online or in person

Step 2: Issuance of approval

Step 3: Once in Hungary, notification by the Hungarian host entity to authorities

How long will it take to process a residence permit for the purposes of gainful activity? 

Average processing times are estimated to be between two to three months.

How much will it cost for a residence permit for the purposes of gainful activity?

The typical fee for a residence permit is EUR 60

More information about the residence permit for the purposes of gainful activity can be found on the EU immigration portal for Hungary.

Intra-company transferee

Do I qualify as an intra-corporate transferee under CETA? 

Under CETA, Canadian intra-corporate transferees are senior personnel, specialists, or graduate trainees at a Canadian enterprise who are being temporarily transferred to a subsidiary, branch, or head company of the Canadian enterprise in Hungary.

Senior personnel are Canadian business people in a senior position within an enterprise who:

• primarily direct the management of the enterprise or a department or sub-division of the enterprise
• make a wide range of decisions, including recruitment, promotions and dismissals
• receives general supervision or direction from higher-level executives, the board of directors, or stockholders of the business or their equivalent
• supervises and controls the work of other supervisory, professional or managerial employees and exercise discretionary authority over day-to-day operations

Specialists are Canadian business people who have:

• uncommon knowledge of the enterprise's products or services and its application in international markets
• an advanced level of expertise or knowledge of the enterprise's processes and procedures such as its production, research equipment, techniques, or management

In assessing such expertise or knowledge, Hungarian officials will consider abilities that are unusual and different from those generally found in a particular industry and that cannot be easily transferred to another business person in the short term. These abilities would have been obtained through specific academic qualifications or extensive experience with the enterprise.

Please note, a partner in an enterprise does not qualify to be transferred as an intra-corporate transferee for Hungary’s commitments under CETA.

Graduate trainees are Canadian business people who:

• have a university degree
• are being temporarily transferred to an enterprise in Hungary for career development purposes, or to obtain training in business techniques or methods

The training delivered to a graduate trainee must be linked to their university degree.

Under CETA, Canadian senior personnel and specialists can stay in Hungary for whichever is shorter, three years or the length of the contract, with a possible extension of up to 18 months at the discretion of Hungarian officials. However, under Hungarian law, a partner in an enterprise is not eligible for entry under the intra-corporate transferee category.

Canadian graduate trainees can stay in Hungary for whichever is shorter, one year or the length of the contract.

Do I need a work permit or a visa as an intra-company transferee?

Under Hungarian law, Canadian companies can transfer highly skilled managers, specialists and graduate trainees to an entity in Hungary belonging to the same group by obtaining an EU intra-corporate transferees (ICT) permit for the employees. This permit also grants the employees the right to work at a client site.

The maximum duration of this work and/or residence authorisation is three years (for managers and specialists) and one year (for graduate trainees).

For more information, consult the EU Immigration Portal for Hungary.

What are the eligibility requirements for an EU intra-corporate transferee permit?

The following criteria must be met in order to be eligible for an EU intra-corporate transferee (ICT) permit:

• The employee (Canadian citizen) and host entity (in Hungary) must be part of the same corporate group
• The employee is a manager, specialist or trainee
• The employee has been employed by the home employer (Canadian employer) for three to twelve continuous months for managers and specialists, or three to six continuous months for trainees
• The employee receives a salary comparable to a local employee in Hungary in a similar position
• Prove adequate accommodation
• Prove sufficient financial resources and subsistence means

Prove health insurance.

How do I apply for an EU intra-corporate transferee permit?

The process for obtaining an EU intra-corporate transferee (ICT) permit:

Step 1: Submission of the application to the Hungarian embassy or consulate

Step 2: Application processing and issuance of a decision by Hungarian authorities

Step 3: Once in Hungary collection of the EU ICT Permit Card and reporting accommodation

Step 4: Notification by the host entity to Hungarian authorities

Step 5: Security registration with national health insurance

Step 6: Issuance of the residence card

How long will it take to process an EU intra-corporate transferee (ICT) permit? 

Average processing times are approximately six to eight months.

How much will it cost for an EU intra-corporate transferee (ICT) permit?

The typical fee for an EU intra-corporate transferee (ICT) permit is EUR 60. Please note that to obtain an EU ICT permit for Hungary, businesspersons are required to apply for a residence permit in the same application,

For more information, consult the EU Immigration Portal for Hungary.

What if I am a business person from a category that is not covered?

Entry into Hungary for Canadian business people not belonging to any of the categories covered under the CETA is subject to Hungarian acts and regulations governing entry and stay.

To explore other paths for entry into Hungary, please consult the EU Immigration Portal for Hungary.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is current as of March 2023 (national immigration legislations may change, sometimes at short notice). It is offered for informational purposes only and does not constitute general legal advice. The information: (i) must be regarded as a practical guide for general information and not a process guide for determining the specific immigration requirements of the countries covered, (ii) should not be a substitute for a more in-depth analysis of applicable facts and circumstances (including, without limitation, criminal or health-related circumstances) conducted by competent professionals, (iii) indicated processing times and fees herein are approximate, are subject to the specific case circumstances, and  change. The information herein does not guarantee the outcome or approval of any particular immigration application.