Family unification in Hungary

20+

years of experience

10+

languages spoken

150+

nationalities

Relocating to Hungary often involves the desire to bring your family along. Through the “Family Unification” residence permit application process, you can ensure that your loved ones accompany you, whether you are obtaining a residence permit based on business activities or for employment purposes.

HELPERS has been providing comprehensive business and immigration assistance to international clients since 2005. At HELPERS, we are dedicated to offering exceptional service and thorough support for people of all ages during the relocation process. The new immigration law, which came into effect in 2024, no longer allows for family unification in all types of permits (or not necessarily immediately). However, in many cases, we can still provide solutions, and if we are managing the permit application for the primary applicant, we take this factor into account from the outset.

20+

years of experience

10+

languages spoken

150+

nationalities

Reviews FAQ Contact us

Family unification

Are you or your employees planning to bring family members to Hungary? Ensure a smooth transition by exploring your eligibility for family unification. With the new Hungarian immigration law, effective January 2024, not all residency types allow for family unification, making it essential to seek expert advice tailored to your specific circumstances.

Depending on the main applicant’s situation, the residence permit application of the family can be submitted either together with the primary residency application or after the main residency has been granted. While holders of dependent visas enjoy the same rights as the main applicant, they will need a separate work permit to engage in employment.

Read more about the different work permit types on our dedicated page.

Hungarian Work Permit

Eligible family members include:

Spouse of a third-country national or a Hungarian citizen (including the registered partner of a same-sex couple)
Minor children
Dependent parents and siblings (in certain circumstances)

Contact us for personalized assistance in navigating the family unification process and securing a seamless relocation for your family!

Full-service packages

Your service package will include

Initial consultation
Preparation of all required application documents
Submission via Enter Hungary
Government fee
In-person assistance with biometric data registration at the Immigration Office in Budapest
Declaration of initial accommodation
Support with certified Hungarian translations

Our list price for a package starts at EUR 1,000 (+VAT) with special discounts available for larger families.

Beyond family unification

If you have other close family members who are not eligible for the family unification process or if your residency type does not allow for it, they may still qualify for Hungarian residency based on their plans in Hungary. For example, if you have children above 18, they can enroll in Hungarian higher education and get a student residence permit. Those finishing university in Hungary can apply for “study-to-work” residency, which enables them to stay another 9 months in Hungary to find a job or start a company. When they find a job, they can apply for a work permit. At the same time, your parents can move to Hungary to retire here.

To learn more about the new residency types and how they may affect you, please read our blog post about residency types.

Reviews

What our clients say

Marco A

Me and my wife, who is now a holder of a residence permit in Hungary, were very happy with the service offered by Helpers, especially by Anna Köszegi. From the first meeting in Budapest, we understood that she is a dedicated professional willing to work in our best interest. Our process, although accompanied by some pitfalls along the way, was handled smoothly within a reasonable time. What I personally appreciated most was the responsiveness exhibited throughout the whole case. Any answer, we received within a day, when time-critical even quicker. This is quite impressive. I can only recommend this company and will certainly relate back whenever needed.
Dong Y

It was a pleasant experience working with Helpers. They handled my requirements with efficient communication, and the entire process was seamless. I would definitely recommend their expertise and services to anyone in need of professional support.
Mohammad W

HELPERS Hungary is truly exceptional—the leading provider of high-quality services for foreigners seeking to live, work, or do business in Hungary. Their highly professional staff combine expertise with genuine care, ensuring every step is smooth, reliable, and stress-free. The commitment, efficiency, and personalized attention they provide are truly up to the mark. HELPERS doesn’t just deliver services—they create trust, confidence, and peace of mind for everyone they assist.
Ekaterina K

I would like to express my gratitude to the team of Hungarian Helpers, Adam, Martin, Timea, Atilla, especially Tala, who has shown herself to be a professional employee, knowledgeable in all the processes of the company – I dedicate this review to her. Thanks to Tale, all processes were coordinated great, she united the work of different departments and promptly answered all questions. Tala clearly explained all the stages of registration and the tasks that, thanks to her help, were solved very quickly. I have extensive international experience with different service providers, but this time I was very pleasantly surprised by the very clear and well-coordinated work of the team. And once again I want to note the irreplaceability of Tala, who has become my lifesaver in various matters. She always stayed in touch and gave feedback. I would also like this post to be read by the company’s management and special thanks to Tala in the form of bonuses and bonuses-) Thanks to her well–coordinated work, efficiency in decision-making at the first meeting, we decided in favor of Helpers services and thanks to this, a new client appeared in your company in the person of us. And for customers, such feedback – if you decide to interact with Hungarian Helpers – look for Tala, she will become your right hand in all matters!
Seungho C

I recently had the pleasure of working with Helpers Hungary to obtain a residence permit and set up a company as a foreigner, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with their exceptional service. From start to finish, the team at Helpers Hungary demonstrated professionalism, efficiency, and a genuine commitment to helping me navigate the complex processes involved. Their expertise and knowledge in handling residence permit applications were evident from our first interaction. They guided me through every step with clear instructions and timely updates, ensuring that I had all the necessary documents and information. The entire process was smooth and stress-free, thanks to their meticulous attention to detail and proactive approach. Setting up a company in a foreign country can be daunting, but Helpers Hungary made it a seamless experience. They provided comprehensive support, from choosing the right business structure to handling all the legal formalities. Their local insights and understanding of the Hungarian business environment were invaluable, allowing me to make informed decisions and avoid potential pitfalls. The team’s dedication to their clients’ success is truly commendable. They were always available to answer my questions, address my concerns, and offer practical solutions. Their friendly and approachable manner made me feel at ease throughout the entire process. In summary, Helpers Hungary exceeded my expectations in every way. Their professionalism, expertise, and unwavering support were instrumental in helping me achieve my goals. I highly recommend Helpers Hungary to anyone seeking assistance with residence permits or business setup in Hungary. They truly did a great job, and I am incredibly grateful for their outstanding service.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

What is a family visa?

People looking for a family visa or a dependent visa often mean a residence permit that allows family members to accompany the main applicant to Hungary. The best-known dependent visa procedure is called “family unification”, where the spouse and the minor (less than 18 years old) children of the applicant can apply for residency based on the residency of the main applicant received.

If I move to Hungary for a job or business, will my spouse be able to work legally here?

Yes – but not right away, since the residence permit based on family unification will not enable your spouse to enter employment. However, once they are here, they can more easily find a job, and simply change the dependent permit to a work permit once they have found one. Alternatively your spouse can also decide to start a small business in Hungary – we are happy to assist with either.

What is it like living in Hungary as a family?

Most expats love living in Hungary! Budapest is a safe and clean city with many affordable, high-quality entertainment options, good international schools, lots of green areas, easy public transportation, and fast and inexpensive connections to all major European capitals. Living cost in Hungary is quite low, so even on a basic salary you can achieve a high living standard.

Is family unification available with every type of Hungarian residency?

No, family unification is available only with certain types of residency in Hungary. One important change introduced recently is that family unification is no longer available for student residency or for the residence permit for the purpose of employment. At the same time, family unification remains available for several employment based residence permits, such as the Hungarian Card, the EU Blue Card, or the National Card. Contact us to learn more.

Contact

Contact us today

We will respond within one business day.

If you don’t get a response, add us to your whitelist or call us.

+36 1 317 8570

info@helpers.hu

Monday – Friday
9am – 5pm CET

Helpers Hungary Kft

Budapart Gate

Dombóvári út 27

Budapest 1117, Hungary

If you’re visiting us, please use entrance A and come to the 2^nd floor.