Can You Work Remotely in Hungary?
Hungary has been a long-time favorite European destination for digital nomads in recent years. With reliable wifi, great infrastructure, and an affordable cost of living, many digital nomads spend time in Hungary. But, if you’re new to the location-independent lifestyle, you may ask yourself, can you work remotely in Hungary?
Yes, you can work remotely in Hungary.
And there are a couple of different ways you can do it—legally!
Whether you’re visiting Hungary as a tourist or applying for the digital nomad visa, this is your guide about how to work remotely in Hungary.
Hungary for Digital Nomads
While Hungary may not be at the top of a vacationer’s bucket list, it is a great country for digital nomads who want to experience the European lifestyle while getting more bang for their buck.
Budapest, the country’s capital is arguably most popular city for digital nomads. With its lively culture, scenic riverside, and iconic parliament building, Budapest is a picturesque city to work remotely in Hungary.
The central location of the country in Europe also makes it easy for digital nomads to travel to other destinations nearby and get the most out of their overseas plane tickets.
Lastly, digital nomads are welcomed in Hungary with open arms thanks to the launch of the digital nomad visa back in 2022! Individual applicants who earn at least 3,000€ per month working remotely can apply for Hungary’s digital nomad visa and live there for up to two years.
Can You Work Remotely in Hungary as a Digital Nomad?
Yes, you can work remotely in Hungary as a digital nomad.
There are no specific laws stating that tourists cannot work remotely in Hungary.
Whether you choose to apply for the Hungary digital nomad visa or answer some emails while traveling as a tourist, you may work remotely in Hungary as long as the entities paying you are established outside of Hungary.
It is important to note that as tourist or a digital nomad visa holder, you may not seek local employment in Hungary, even if it is a remote role.
How Long Can You Stay and Work Remotely in Hungary?
With the Hungary digital nomad visa, you can stay and work remotely in Hungary for up to two years.
However, if you are a tourist, then your stay in Hungary is quite limited.
Citizens from 61 non-European countries can enter Hungary (and the Schengen Area) visa-free and stay for a total of 90 days in a 180-day period. Some of these countries include the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Mexico, New Zealand, Brazil, Taiwan, Peru, Japan, South Korea, and Ukraine, just to name a few.
Citizens from other countries, such as Pakistan, China, Nigeria, Lebanon, Indonesia, South Africa, and Turkiye, require an entry visa to enter Hungary. The stay allowance for these visas can vary depending on your country of origin and reason for visiting. The most allowed time on an entry visa, though, is 90 days.
Hungary Visa Options for Remote Workers
There is currently one visa option for remote workers who wish to relocate to Hungary.
Hungary Digital Nomad Visa (White Card)
The most popular visa option for remote workers in Hungary is the digital nomad visa or White Card.
To be eligible for the digital nomad visa, you must be a single applicant and earn at least 3,000€ per month (after taxes) for the last six months.
You must also secure a lease agreement of at least 12-months in Hungary before applying.
What is it Like to Work Remotely in Hungary?
Now that you know it is possible to work remotely in Hungary, it’s time to learn what it is like to do so.
Average Wifi Speed in Hungary
Hungary has reliable and quick wifi throughout the country.
According to Ookla Speed Test, the average speed for mobile devices is 53.92 Mbps to download and 15.90 Mbps for uploading.
For fixed broadband, the download speed is 175 Mbps and upload speed is 40.93 Mbps.
Since Budapest is the most popular destination for digital nomads in Hungary, it’s good to note that it ranks in the 21st spot of cities with the fastest wifi.
Coworking Spaces and Cafes
As a popular digital nomad destination in Europe, it is easy to find coworking spaces and laptop-friendly cafes throughout Hungary. Of course, these will be more popular in larger cities.
Some popular coworking spaces in Budapest include:
Some popular coworking spaces in Debrecen include:
You’ll also find plenty of cafes throughout the cities that offer free wiif where you can set up your laptop for an hour or two to get some work done as well.
Do Digital Nomads Pay Taxes if They Work Remotely in Hungary?
Taxes can be a tricky situation when digital nomads work remotely in Hungary. There are many factors to consider when determine if they owe taxes.
The first general rule is that if you are not a tax resident in Hungary, then you will not owe local income tax.
However, if you spend 183 days or more in Hungary in a single year, then you will become a tax resident. For remote workers and digital nomads, there is a levied 15% tax on your worldwide income.
There is an exception, though. If your income is earned in a country that has a double tax treaty with Hungary, then you will only pay income tax in the country you receive your income from. You will still have to file taxes and declare your income in Hungary, but will not be taxed on it. You can view a list of countries with a double tax treaty with Hungary here.
It’s important to note that the United States does not currently have an active tax treaty with Hungary.
Is it Legal to Work Remotely in Hungary as a Digital Nomad?
Yes, it is legal to work remotely in Hungary as a digital nomad—provided that you are in the country legally.
Whether you are staying in Hungary on a tourist visa or have applied for the digital nomad visa, it is legal to work remotely in Hungary.
It’s important that you do not seek local employment or engage in local business activity in Hungary. This would then make working remotely in Hungary illegal and require you to obtain a work permit.
Work Remotely in Hungary for Up to Two Years with Nomads Embassy
Is Hungary calling your name? Are you ready to start a new chapter in this beautiful country with a large community of digital nomads?
Then it’s time to apply for the Hungary digital nomad visa!
While the thought of applying for a visa and dealing with bureaucracy can be overwhelming and sometimes discouraging, it doesn’t have to be.
Nomads Embassy: The World’s First Embassy for Digital Nomads has partnered with hand-selected local immigration lawyers to create Done-for-You Digital Nomad Visa Services to assist you with your visa applications.
You’ll have a dedicated immigration lawyer assisting you throughout the entire process to make sure everything goes smoothly and that you are submitting a 100% compliant application.
Ready to get started? Request our free digital nomad visa eligibility assessment by completing the quiz in this blog post.
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