Changes related to applying for the EU Blue Card

As of 2024, the Act on the general rules governing the entry and residence of third‑country nationals (Btátv.) has restricted the types of permits for which it is possible to apply for a residence permit under a different legal title. This restriction also applied to guest worker‑type residence permits; consequently, holders of employment‑purpose residence permits were previously unable to modify their permit type during the validity period of their existing permit.

In practice, this meant that if a third‑country national employee wished to apply for a different type of permit, they could only do so after their residence permit had expired or been withdrawn. For visa‑required nationals, an additional difficulty was that they could only submit a new application after leaving the country.

However, according to information provided by the authority, the previous legal interpretation — according to which no other residence purpose could be applied for domestically by holders of certain types of residence permits — has been revised in light of client interests and the relevant EU directive (2021/1883). As a result, if a third‑country national holding another type of valid residence permit (for example, for employment purposes) intends to work in Hungary, they may now submit their EU Blue Card application while staying in the country. This represents a practical relief for both applicants and employers.

General conditions for switching to the EU Blue Card

Applicants for the EU Blue Card must continue to meet the statutory requirements, including the mandatory minimum monthly salary established for third‑country nationals employed under an EU Blue Card. In 2026, the minimum monthly gross salary for EU Blue Card holders is HUF 1,001,048 (or HUF 800,838 in certain exceptional cases). Employers must ensure that the salary complies with the annually prescribed adjustments throughout the entire duration of employment.

In addition, the following general conditions are examined during the assessment of an EU Blue Card application:

• possession of a valid residence permit
• proof of means of subsistence in Hungary
• proof of accommodation in Hungary
• valid health insurance
• higher education qualifications relevant to the highly skilled position (or, in some cases, the legally prescribed duration of professional experience)

The revised administrative interpretation makes the transition between an employment‑purpose residence permit and the EU Blue Card more flexible, which is a significant advantage for third‑country nationals lawfully residing in Hungary. While the EU Blue Card offers broader entitlements — such as longer permit validity, family reunification, and access to long‑term residence — the application process continues to require strict legal and formal compliance. Therefore, seeking professional support is advisable; Deloitte’s team of experts is ready to assist.