The 2024 Immigration Law: Voluntary Activity as a Good Option to Stay

A foreigner, who otherwise meets the general conditions for residing in Hungary and succeeds in concluding a voluntary work or activity contract with a host organization specified in the law, can obtain a residence permit for the purpose of carrying out voluntary activities. This type of residence permit can also be applied for by those who carry out voluntary activities within the framework of the European Voluntary Service (EVS).

We think that this can be a good option for all those foreigners who do not have (yet) a determined, serious goal for their stay in Hungary, but are also not afraid to do some kind of voluntary activity during their stay and thus work e.g. for a non-profit organization without remuneration.

Not any type of organization can be a host organization and not any voluntary activity contract shall be appropriate and acceptable by the immigration police. Both finding the right host organization and preparing the contract with the necessary very formal content requires careful preparatory work. In addition, the host organization must also register the contract signed with the foreigner in a central register. But if you manage to find the right host organization for voluntary activity, you can gain a few years of lawful stay in Hungary with this type of residence permit.

It’s important to note that certain groups of people (e.g. refugees) are excluded from obtaining this residence permit, thus it’s worth getting legal advice regarding this well in advance.

This residence permit can be requested for a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 2 years, and basically cannot be extended after that.

Shortcomings of this residence permit: If the foreigner receives this residence permit, his close family member cannot also receive a family reunification residence permit based on the status of the voluntary worker. During the validity of this residence permit and after its expiration, it is not possible to apply for another type of residence permit in Hungary. A foreigner who has this residence permit cannot obtain a permanent residence permit.

We recommend this type of residence card to those who have no other realistic option, who are single or not married to a Hungarian, and who are ready to do some volunteer work in Hungary in order to stay here for two years.