Changes to Hungarian residence permits for non-EU nationals: what this means for retirees and other long-term residents

17 Comments

1. Thanks for posting this article about us whom are retired and living in Hungary. Most of us own property here and contribute a significant amount of our pensions to the Hungarian economy through our spending in Hungary. This change was not well thought out unless the thought was to discriminate against the elderly . Those whom have lived in Hungary who have fallen through the cracks with this new policy need to either be grandfathered in and allowed to remain permanently or the Hungarian government needs to purchase our flats and property if they want us out and full market value. Personally we love Hungary and the people, This miscarriage of justice needs to be reversed. We are not a threat to the nation or the Hungarian way off life. Please reverse this policy before it financially ruins many of us and tarnishes the reputation of Hungary as being welcoming and a good place to visit and invest.

   • “tarnishes the reputation of Hungary as being welcoming and a good place to visit and invest”. It has a bad reputation on everything you mentioned, so don’t worry about it!

2. i dont know why it came to my mind the same BS about Ukraine and its minorities outside hungary. I mean, those Hungarians are living in another country, and they need to adapt to those laws, not only in ukraine but also in slovakia at least is this is the Hungarian mindset that is being reflected on this article, right? so why are hungarians crying out about those minorities, if they just do the same BS to other citizens?

3. Why the change in policy against foreigners from outside the European union? I thought that there was a march towards everyone living together under globalism with open borders for everyone?

   • right. why do Fidezs care so much for hungarians outside hungary? hungary lost on WWs, so they need to live with it 🙂

     • Unfortunately I am reminded very much of being slip-streamed by a truck on a country road. You initially hope the truck will pass by quickly, but it does not. You try to manoeuvre as far to one side as you are able. You try to anticipate the drivers window to overtake. Finally you catch sight of the driver, and all hope fades away. He has on the hunting cap with long dangling sides. Buck teeth, one eye-brow. There is no intelligence behind that wheel.
       This is the same situation repeated. The politicians who have made these changes have the collective IQ of a shoe-box. They honestly think that forcing out retired foreigners, they will be replaced by millionaires happy to cast buckets of money into the economy. I am sure these politicians all wear the same hunting caps:)

       • Dat zou toch absurd zijn,om ons eruit te willen hebben, koop ons dan af met een goed bedrag maar niet zo maar mensen op straat zetten.daardoor komen duizenden in de problemen terwijl we wel maandelijks ons Nederlands geld uitgeven in Hongarije. Dat jullie de mensen eruit zetten die hier illegaal wonen kan ik nog begrijpen.maar niet na 15 jaar en in het bezit van alle vergunningen. Dat is krimineel wat ze doen.je kunt ze er toch niet zomaar uitzetten.met dank je we pikken je huis in,en dan zonder geld eruit zetten.daar kan ik behoorlijk boos over worden.

4. Thank-You – Daily News Hungary for this article.
   It’s OVERDUE – as numerous commentators over the past 6 weeks have made QUALITY commentaries, being FACTUALLY transparent, of the “Vileness” the Wrongfulness, the Discrimination through the changes “put into law” by the Orban led Fidesz Government – relating to the status of Residence Permit’s.
   The decision meeting POWERFUL opposition relating to the subject of this article, by people, from countrys who have been HUNG by the Orban – Fidesz Government, through the “heinous” changes to the status of Residency Permit’s – objection to Orban & his Fidesz Government have been refered to ;
   (1) – respective Consulates & Embassy’s.
   (2) – Foreign Ministers of the Respective Country’s.
   (3) – Prime Ministers & Presidents offices – of individuals effected.
   (4) – Respective Department of the European Union.
   (5) – Tisza Party.
   WE have and Will Not – remain SILENT.
   We are from countrys of Democracy or country’s that there Governments in fundaments “embrace” – DEMOCRACY.
   We will not be SILENCED – and continue to EXTEND notification “of our choice” – highlighting the “toxic culture” of this present Hungarian Fidesz Government, under the Prime Ministership of his present acknowledgement – Victor Orban, as the “Judas” of European & Global – DEMOCRACY.
   Hungary – will pay a HEFTY price – if this matter of the status of a Residence Permit – is NOT reversed.

5. While the decision to deny us further residency was a rash move by the Fidesz government, I find the lack of communication from the U.S. Embassy even more of a ‘slap in the face.’ Not one single communication has been made to those of us from America affected by this situation. Not even after reaching out to the Embassy. It is not unbelievable that the previous Biden regime, who had to be aware of this, did nothing. Yet one would think that the Trump administration would have something to say about this through back door channels now that there is a new ambassador here in Hungary.

   I don’t believe I am being unrealistic when I ask for some sort of rhetoric from our own embassy. While the new administration is still funding wars elsewhere, could they not at least offer to cover our costs regarding moving including hiring local estate agents while we are forced to rent or sell our properties? Those of us who will rent out our properties will still need to pay our community costs until tenants are found, is it too much to ask that the administration direct the embassy to arrange payment for this as well? On top of the grief caused by this situation, the lack of communication makes it even worse.

   We’ve been denied by one government & abandoned by our own. How is this in league w the oh so precious human rights we hear about during lofty speeches & statements from these governments?

6. Asa Meister, I doubt very seriously ANY nationals from theUK, US, NZ, Australia or Canada or else-wheres governments gives a care about their citizens outside or that matter inside their own country. Most governments have forgotten that they are supposed to serve their citizens not dictate to them. If this situation is not addressed by the Hungarian government and the policy reversed to at least grandfather in those of us who have been here more than 5 years continuously I think our human rights are being violated and if this policy was changed in early 2024 the very least that they should have done is inform those affected of the future change and any option we had.

   • My limited understanding is that 5 years of continuous residence in the EU provides a protected legal status, irrespective of the nationality of the residence permit holder. It may be the case that unilaterally cancelling (or denying the renewal) of residence permits runs contrary to EU rules in circumstances where any one of a list of legitimate reasons don’t apply (such as being convicted of a crime). Those impacted may considering seeking legal counsel with a view to launching a class action.

     I’m mystified as to the motivation on the part of the government seeking to remove self-funding retirees hailing from outside of the EU. Although they’re unable to vote in national elections, politically they’re even often aligned with the government on key issues.

7. Londonsteve, I just had a look at the EU website for immigration policies and I really did look but I did not find anything specifically about 5 years legal residency conferring any rights It may be there and I did not find it, I also did not see anything specific to retired or people not seeking employment either. I hope that there is a reversal or modification of these policies by the Hungarian government. I also contacted the Embassy in BP but from my previous experiences with them I do not expect to get any reply. I plan to seek legal counsel next month to see if I have any legal remedies or if I should engage a estate agent.

8. https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/migration-and-asylum/legal-migration-resettlement-and-integration/long-term-residents_en

   • That’s the one, thank you for sharing this.

9. Als jullie dit doen ,waarom laten jullie wel mensen die illegaal wonen zonder verblijfsvergunning in Hongarije wonen ,waarom zetten jullie die er niet uit dan.hier zijn genoeg illegale Europeanen zet die er dan uit,maar daar doet de politie niks aan ook al weten ze het wie het zijn. Maar dat mag wel.en de mensen die legaal hier zijn die willen jullie eruit zetten.een omgedraaide wereld.en vanaf wanneer zou dit ingaan dan.??

10. DIABOLICAL – Descrimitory decision AGAIN from this Orban led Fidesz Government.
    YES – in SOLIDARITY, a Class Action, knowing Governments and Embassy’s are already “on notice” – of the Orban led Fidesz Governments – “CULLING” of us, from countrys of DEMOCRACY or “embracers” of.
    Living in excess of (5) five years hundreds of – Self Funded either retirees or working paying taxes contributing into the Hungarian Economy, titled owners of Hungarian property, private Medical Coverage, no right to vote in National Elections, taking NO “freebies” from the Orban led Fidesz Government.
    Embassy’s – Governments, there Department of Foreign Affairs, communication must be LODGED.
    The European Union – respective department – MUST be advised.
    Individually – we have taken ACTION’s – to INFORM – COMMUNICATE this ORBAN led Fidesz Governments – act of CULLING.
    We must NOT SURRENDER being victims of this DISCRIMINATION against – holders of passports of DEMOCRATIC countrys, non European Union countrys, retirees or “other” – that are SELF Funded retiress or working paying tax into the Hungarian Governments “pocket”.
    Residence Permits – we have titled property taxes from those or if NO property being SELF Funded Retires – taking “nothing for nothing” from the Hungarian Government – Private Health coverage.
    The word from a DEMOCRACY or country that “embraces” DEMOCRACY on our respective PASSPORTS – that’s this Orban led Fidesz Government – that’s there VENDETTA.
    CLASS Action – under DEMOCRACY permitted.
    COMMUNICATE it OUT – lets ALL – in SOLIDARITY – not be SILENCED.

11. Derick Van der Lisle – excellent contribution.
    Australians – what you write is FACT.
    The Australia Embassy in Vienna, responce has been that under the “place” the role they play for the country of our BIRTH, they can’t not be of assistance.
    The Australian Embassy – recommended to pursue the matter, by personal engagement of Legal council in Hungary to act on this “personal” issue.
    The Australian Embassy, being an “Emeritus” Professor of Law, specialising in International Law, have received, directed to the DESK of the Australian Ambassador – a letter of “solid” objection that included the word used – the ABANDONMENT – of Australians, the innocent VICTIMS of this DISCRIMITORY act placed on Australians, and my “fellow brothers and sisters” – from “other” countrys passport holders other than of the European Union – who have been “cut off” at the knees, by this “Heinous” – Orban led Fidesz Government of Hungary.
    I have “on-forwarded” my communication to ;
    (1) – the Australian Prime Minister.
    (2) – the Australian Foreign Minister.
    We – (7) seven years under the status of a Residence Permit – SELF Funded, comfortable in wealth, but SHARING people, respecting and embracing the people of Hungary, it “cuts” me, the attitude, one that is REPULSIVE – taken by the Embassy, the Government of Australia.
    LEGALLY – it’s a HUMONGOUS failing as a country Australia under “Duty of Care”.
    We will = please ALL in SOLIDARITY – CULLED through these Laws under Residence Permit status – we must not be SILENCED.