Information for holders of permanent residence cards
Please be informed that based on Article 8 (1) of Regulation (EU) 2025/1208 of the European Council on strengthening the security of identity cards of Union citizens and of residence documents issued to Union citizens and their family members exercising their right of free movement, “residence cards of family members of Union citizens who are not nationals of a Member State, which do not meet the requirements of Article 7 shall cease to be valid at their expiry or by 3 August 2026, whichever is earlier”.
Based on the above, permanent
residence cards issued to family members of EEA citizens and third-country
family members of Hungarian citizens between the period of 3 August 2016 and 2 August 2021 will cease as of 3 August 2026. Therefore, an application for another residence title in Hungary will be needed.
Please note that to all persons affected will be delivered an information notice in detail by Post to their valid place of accommodation or residence; enquiring information is also available at NDGAP’s Client Service Office as per the concerned person’s place of accommodation (https://oif.gov.hu/regional-offices).
IMPORTANT
note: The fact that a document’s validity ceased does not automatically mean that the legality of residence in Hungary
ceases immediately, nor does it mean that the individuals concerned must leave
the territory of Hungary. The individuals concerned will still have the
opportunity to regularise their residence status even after 3 August 2026.
Applications for the regularisation of a residence status submitted even
after 3 August 2026 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, in line with the
legal framework, in a fair and client-oriented manner—naturally, taking the
personal and family circumstances of the individuals concerned, as well as
their individual life situations into account.
Clients who are planning to travel abroad in the near future should, if possible, initiate the procedures required for document replacement or the establishment of a new ground for their right of residence as soon as possible—preferably before their departure—considering that international travel may be problematic without a valid residence document.
