Factsheets
Hungarian cultural knowledge exam

Hungarian cultural knowledge exam


In case of applications for a national residence card or an EU residence card submitted on 1 January 2025 and afterwards, the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing assesses the compliance with the conditions of social coexistence. Applicants are required to pass Hungarian cultural knowledge exam.

Please note that, under the law, exemption from the obligation to complete the cultural knowledge examination applies in the following cases:

a) persons who have already successfully completed the cultural knowledge examination in connection with another aliens policing procedure,

b) third-country nationals under the age of 14,

c) third-country nationals placed under guardianship by a final court judgment,

d) applicants for a national residence card issued in the national interest are not required to fulfil the conditions of social coexistence.

Please be advised that we are unable to grant an exemption from taking the above examination on the basis of other personal circumstances (e.g., advanced age, origin, family relationships, qualifications, etc.); accordingly, please take this into account when considering whether to submit your application. Applicants are therefore kindly requested to take this into account when considering the submission of their application.


 

When submitting an application for a residence card of an EU residence card, factual proof that the applicant has succeeded in passing the Hungarian cultural knowledge exam shall be the record report of the exam provided to the applicant at the exam.

 

Regardless of their place of accommodation or place of residence in Hungary, clients shall submit their application for the Hungarian cultural knowledge exam by completion of the separate application specifically designated to the exam by the Organisatory Unit of the Legal and Coordination Department of the Government Office of the Capital City of Budapest (‘a Budapest Főváros Kormányhivatala Jogi és Koordinációs Főosztályának Szervezési Osztálya’; Government Office of the Capital City of Budapest is hereinafter referred to as GOCCB) and submitting it to GOCCB or by sending it in via Post to GOCCB.

Fee of the Hungarian cultural knowledge exam is HUF 20.000 per a date. The amount of the fee shall be paid via bank transfer to the bank account of GOCCB.

GOCCB will notify the applicant of the date of the Hungarian cultural knowledge exam in writing at the contact details provided during the application at least 15 working days before the Hungarian cultural knowledge exam.

Please note that only clients who have paid the exam fee to GOCCB and have completed the application form in full will be notified of exam dates made available.

If the applicant finishes the Hungarian cultural knowledge exam with the result “failed” three times, his/her application for a new Hungarian cultural knowledge exam will be refused.

 

In all cases, the Hungarian cultural knowledge exam shall be taken in written form, in Hungarian language, in Budapest.

 

The requirements for the exam and the list of topics are set out in Annex 2:

1. National symbols and holidays of Hungary (coat of arms, flag, crown, national anthems (“Himnusz”, “Szózat”), and national holidays)

2. The most important events in the history of Hungary (foundation of the state, 1848-1849 revolution and war of independence, Peace Treaty of Trianon, 1956 revolution, change of the regime in 1990)

3. Important figures in European and Hungarian literature and music history

4. Basic institutions of the Fundamental Law (Parliament, President of the Republic, Government)

5. Basic rights and duties of citizens (freedoms, obligations of citizens and protection of citizens' rights)

6. Europe and Hungary in everyday life

 

Further information on the order of exam procedures, recipients of the bank transfer, as well as exam dates, and other practical details shall be provided by GOCCB.

Information notice on the Hungarian cultural knowledge exam, the application form, explanatory notes and information material are available via: https://kormanyhivatalok.hu/kormanyhivatalok/budapest/megye/szervezet/jogi-es-koordinacios-foosztaly, under the information provision section of the Organisatory Unit.

 

Documents compiled by the GOCCB are available via the following link:

Information Notice

Application Form

Explanatory notes and information material


Last edited: 2025.12.05. 09:52