Hi
At the end of this fine February, on the 29th !!!!!, Yuka has finally become a permanent resident of the Hungarian Republic. But how exactly did we get here? Well, that was no easy task even for a Japanese, Hungary did give her as much pain and sorrow that not many would have bared. Read on for details and to see what the Permanent Residency card looks like.
Looking at these images is easy, but getting them, oh boy…
We got married in Japan, and went to the Hungarian embassy of Tokyo. Things went really smootly, the ambassador was a real gentleman, and we got our papers needed for the Hungarian acceptance of the marriage in a matter of a few weeks including post, etc. The temporary VISA of 6 months was in our hands, and we were looking forward to our life in Hungary. We had no idea what awaits us on the Hungarian end at that point…
Once we arrived to Hungary, we had a few months to settle things, so we got started. We needed first to get Married in Hungary, I mean to get our Japanese marriage accepted. For this, we needed the Japanese marriage papers, which were already translated by the Hungarian consulate in Tokyo, at least we thought it was. We went to get married to the 12th Disctrict Municipal office of Budapest where we belong. There we were quickly rejected, as the translation was not valid, and they even said who are we kidding with such papers. Okay, well it was only stamped by the Hungarian embassy of Japan, but whatever, we were off to OFFI, the Hungarian National Translation Agency, which is the only place we can get it translated so that it will be accepted. Guess what they did? They translated the docs with the help of the Hungarian consulate in Tokyo, who actually already translated it once.
Well, this is only the beginning. It cost us a small fortune, and took a few weeks again. Our 6 months VISA was running out quickly. We finally had the Marriage certificate translated, so we headed back to the Municipal Office, where we were again rejected, as we had no leagal witness with us, who would do the translation between the Municipal officer and my wife. They had the feeling that this Japanese national (Yuka) was so eager to become Hungarian that she paid a Hungarian national (Myself) to go to Japan, marry her, and get her the residency in Hungary. I mean, come on, where are we, US? Is this such a desirable place for Japanese that they will come here like Southern Immigrants make their ways to the US?
Well again, we were off to look for a witness. Of course they could have told us this once we were rejected at the beginning about the Marriage Certificate, but they didn’t. We convinced one of my friends to do the translation for us. I made yet another appointment with the Municipal Officer, and we were on our ways, the 3rd time now. We met the Officer, sat down at a table, and the witness was only there to sign, I did all the translation between my wife and the municipal officer. You smell bureaucracy here? I am sure you don’t 
After 5 minutes, and some ridiculous questions like “Ms Yuka, Did Mr Frank forcefully bring you to Japan” and “Are you just looking for an easy living in Hungary?” we got the papers.
Once we had the marriage certificate, we were officially married in Hungary finally. We had to decide about Yuka’s post marital name and our future children’s name, and believe it or not, my post marital name. Yes, Hungary is one of those “modern” countries where the Husband can get the wife’s family name should he desire.
So we were off to the Immigation Office. If you have seen a place out of order and in a complete chaos before, multiply it by 2 and then you may be close to how this place looked. Packed mostly with Eastern Europeans and Chinese, we were all waiting for the Immigration Officers to call our number. We finally got to the beginning of the queue in a matter of 3-4 hours and were called to a seat. There, in about 2 minutes the officer has already sent us home for more papers to prepare. Of course this was too difficult to say over the phone when I called. We had to get some assurance from my Mother, that she will take care of us providing room and board, as we are living with her (on paper). My mom had to go to the Hungarian National Land Registry Office to get a copy of her Flat’s registration, proving that she actually own this. Fine. We also had to get a few dozen of shots injected into Yuka’s arm and wherever, to make sure she won’t bring some crazy Japanese 3rd world sicknesses into our safe heaven of Hungary. I mean Japan, you know, is even further to the east from us, it can only be worse, right? Dah….
Once we had all that, we again went back to the Immigration office, and after another 3-4 hours of waiting in the filthy waiting room, we found out that WE forgot to bring medical insurance for her. Yepp, we forgot it, not them. They clearly mentioned it to us on our first visit. Again, whatever. We were off to the Medical Insurance Facility, a government run business.
At this point Yuka was ready to scream, and leave the country, as clearly this country doesn’t want her, at least the situations made her feel so. So, again, in the line at the Social Insurance for a few hours only to find out, that without her Immigration Papers settled, she cannot get the insurance card. The law changed a few months ago, and now this is how its done.
Okay, so the Insurance Company requires her to have the Immigration settled, but the immigration requires her to have insurance. At this time we were so ready to get on live TV, and send all these officers and other government officials to high heaven or wherever.
We went back again to the Immigration, and as it was our 3rd or 4th time already, we feared so much what the outcome will be. Sure enough, Yuka was deported at this point, as we were just not able to match their requirements. And the officer called for the next in line. So this was the point where I said enough. I asked for some manager, and although showing us a bad face, she did call a manager, who finally had some human qualities to himself and understood our situation. Yuka’s deportation ended there, but she was illegal in Hungary for 30 minutes or so. We had to appeal, and they after a month or so, generously accepted our case and gave us the 2 year Permit for Staying.
In this 2 years, we almost forgot the horrors of the story thank god, and recently, when her permit came to an end, we went again to the Immigration, but this time fired up with a private insurance policy set, and they found no way of sending us away. Plus, Yuka is still my wife, so it seems she really didn’t come all the way from Japan to live on Hungarian social funds , and she got the 10 year permit.
We both hope never to see that office again, but I guess in 2018, we are going to….
I have a collegaue at work, she has an American Husband, and they went through just like what happened to us, so its seems we weren’t just the unlucky ones.
Make no mistake, if you are coming from a 3rd world country like America, or Japan, you will have a tough time getting through immigration. How is that for an irony…..
May 29th, 2008 at 14:10
u can see what i send u the hungrian buro cracy
May 29th, 2008 at 15:34
Sorry, don’t really understand what you mean there Suresh ji. Care to elaborate?
August 28th, 2008 at 21:39
Wow! I’m rather embarrassed to say I received my Hungarian residency (based on my wife’s citizenship) in less than two weeks after applying, with no problems whatsoever. However, trying to get a visa and permesso for Italy is a nightmare rivaling your situation.
August 29th, 2008 at 06:15
Hi Geof. I am glad you didn’t have to go through all these issues. Where did you have it done? We went to the Budafoki ut. 60 address and that’s where all the “Magic” happened
. Also, did you have your marriage certificate from a foreign country, or you got married in Hungary? I guess that would make a world of difference.
Anyways, I am glad yours is sorted without any hassle.
Cheers
November 13th, 2008 at 16:46
It is not clear to me if Yuka also required an Identity card as well as the permanent residency card?
Robert
November 13th, 2008 at 20:54
Hi. No she was not required, and we didn’t get it. The only thing she got was the residency card and a so called “Lakcim kartya” which is a card that shows your address in Hungary. The only funny thing is that even after getting the residency card, you need to carry your passport as it is only valid together, which is a joke. Of course we simply disregarded this rule, and she only carried her residency card in her wallet.
Good luck,
Cheers
Ben
November 14th, 2008 at 12:46
If one wants a a mobile phone one should show an ID?
November 14th, 2008 at 17:07
When I got permanent residency in Hungary I was issued with a “semelyi igazolvany” for foreigners at the local town hall-which is needed to purchase a phone! I wonder if the Permanent residency card is enough. Why does she need to carry her passport?
November 16th, 2008 at 07:53
Oh so you got the Szemelyi Igazolvany? That is great, We were told that foreigners don’t get that. Anyways, we are gone from Hungary now, so it doesn’t matter, but later on I will see if I can get Yuka the ID as well.
The mobile phone she had was purchased by me, thus we never faced this issue.
Thanks for the updates Robert, much appreciated,
Cheers
Ben
November 18th, 2008 at 08:56
congratulation for yuka!!!it seems that u went through the difficult patient exam in the whole world:))
could any one tell me if you will buy an apartment in hungary, will you become a resident or will u take the resident permit????
regards to all
November 18th, 2008 at 12:52
Hi Kosta,
Sorry but I dont know the answer to that question. Its possible, but as there are a lot of silly things with Hungary, I cannot say for sure.
Cheers,
Ben
November 18th, 2008 at 14:39
thank you ben, don’t you know how can i know something like this????
November 18th, 2008 at 15:09
Sorry there Kosta, don’t have a clue about this and about how to find it out either. Probably your best shot is to look up a real estate agent, and ask them the question as if you were a foreign investor, etc.
Cheers
Ben
November 20th, 2008 at 12:01
Sorry I found out that under the new law foreigners are only issued with the card not the id which they can use to get a mobile phone, but you need an Hungarian guarantor for the monthly version
November 20th, 2008 at 17:51
Hi Robert,
I see, that is somewhat of a discomfort. Yuka had used a prepaid (Praktikum) mobile, so we never faced this issue.
Thanks for the heads up as always
Have a nice weekend,
Ben
November 24th, 2008 at 18:31
Hi Ben
Last question for you.Can the Permanent Residency card be used for residency in other EC countries?If so .What kind of residency can you get there?
November 25th, 2008 at 05:41
This is something totally new to me as I have left Hungary before we joined the EU, and I am sure there was no such possibility before that. I would imagine Hungary still has some restrictions that prohibits residents from becoming a full EU citizen, but I could be wrong.
Sorry that I am not help these days
Ben
December 7th, 2008 at 16:21
I applied for the Permanent Residency card on the 4 November.
When do you think it will be ready?How long did it take for Yuka?
December 8th, 2008 at 13:59
Hmm, I don’t really remember. I think they gave us an appointment when we were there for applying and we just had to go back on that date to pick up. It was a month or so maybe?
Ben
February 10th, 2009 at 15:03
hello Ben.
i’m Nataly from Russia. my boyfriend is a Hungarian. he proposed me. and we are planning to get married in Hungary. Your story gave me too much pain. i’m really sorry for what you have been through.And now i’m scared to be in a same condition as your wife.
could you please, give me an advise, what is the best way to do, not to face such a terrible difficulties in your Motherland.
thank you very much in advance for your reply.i hope for it.
best regards.
Nataly.
February 18th, 2009 at 13:29
hi i did read all your story it is very good to see that you got hungarian permanent residency ,i have also got a letter from cornivus university for ba in international bussiness tell me that after doing that will i be able to get a permanent residency or work permit there ,thanks
February 19th, 2009 at 23:21
Have you ever heard of people having more trouble who apply from real third world countries, or the Middle East? Do some people have harder times than others? Is there anywhere online that talks about this?
March 2nd, 2009 at 06:17
I am glad that I stumble upon your blog. My husband and I are planning on moving to Hungary in the next year or so and I am a Cambodian-American citizen and he is a Hungarian Citizen. I didn’t realize it’s such a hassle to get your permanent status there. We just had a baby this year so we are getting him his dual citizenship… so it’s just going to be me having the difficult time getting a permanent status…
We also named our son Bence.
Congrats on the marriage and having your wife get her permanent status in Hungary!!
March 23rd, 2009 at 17:03
Hi Guys ,
I also have the permanent residenc permit like most of you.
I would appreciate if anyone could answer my querry – “Are we allowed to work in an another EU nation by vrtue of our permit , OR we can only work in Hungary ? “. Due to the tough economic times and job slashing, it could be required one day ..
Thanks all
March 26th, 2009 at 18:05
Hi everyone,
There is a small company in Budapest which can help you getting Hungarian resident visa, id, driving license etc. I was very happy with their service. They are honest and reasonably priced. Company is called Helpers KFT. check here http://www.helpers.hu/papereater
J.
March 26th, 2009 at 18:09
Sorry bad link
http://www.helpers.hu/papereater.php this one should work
April 1st, 2009 at 23:15
Mate your life would have been much easier if you just payed around 600 EUR to one of the relocation companies.They would have done it all for you. Alternatively, you could have booked appointment at the immigration office on a specific day/time rather than going into that “chaos” room and waiting for 4 hours.
Honestly, it is your fault because you did not inform properly.
All the best.
August 12th, 2009 at 07:26
Hello All,
Sorry for the long silence, I have been away from this site.
To Alex: Yes, I guess I could have paid someone, but as being “home” I felt pretty comfortable doing it all by myself, and did not imagine the hassle we were up against. The appointment stuff I knew about and every time I went there and waited 4 hours I had an appointment, go figure that. Its just a crazy institution, but since I talked to others and heard horror stories from different EU countries. Seems like Immigration is made to be such a hassle, maybe to reduce the number of applicants?
Don’t know, but to all, good luck and keep at it. The law allows you to have the permit, just don’t give up.
Cheers
Ben
August 16th, 2009 at 09:42
Well, there might be a good reason for why the Hungarian authorities work the way they do and they may not be as inefficient as you think although I understand your concern.
I am a native Hungarian (British citizen) living in the UK. I see how many immigrants or would be immigrants legal/or illegal from Africa, Asia, South-America and some even from North-America try to obtain residency in a EU country to later get into the UK or other EU countries with documents obtained elsewhere in the European Union.
Also, the existence of the Schengen zone requires all member states to follow strict and thorough procedures when issuing residence permits.
Unfortunately, it is always the honest people, like you, who suffer and I am sure there is plenty of room for improvement to lessen or weed out burocracy in the Hungarian way of doing things.
August 16th, 2009 at 10:44
Szia Attila,
Yes, I agree with your point, the restrictions need to be in place and exceptions should not be given to anyone, that would compromise the EU’s borders. However, if you have an appointment say at 12noon, they should actually serve you at 12noon, otherwise don’t give appointments out in the first place.
Like you said, its the bureaucracy which needs to be eliminated, not the rules.
Cheers
Ben
November 17th, 2009 at 03:04
Comment removed….
November 17th, 2009 at 08:40
Wow nice comment, thanks for stopping by.
Ben
March 5th, 2010 at 15:56
szia!!
it’s amazing to read about what others have gone through trying to get married
Anyway, I am now currently in a relationship with a Hungarian I met on my travels… we’ve been going strong for almost two years and marriage seems to be in the picture, especially if we are to have a future together.
Seeing as you’ve been through it I would like a few words of advice…
basically he is now working in London and we’ve been in a long distance relationship for about half a year… i will be flying over to London later this year to spend a few months with him again but can’t stay for long as I am not allowed to work there and I don’t have that much cash to last me any longer.
The only viable option to remain together is to actually get married and then work together in London…However, from what I’ve dug up from various internet sources… in order for me, his spouse, work in London, he has to either be a permanent resident there (which he isn’t… he works there on his EU passport) or I had to own an EU passport (which I don’t). And in order to get an EU passport I would need to have married him and lived in Hungary for 3 years. He doesn’t want to work in Hungary as the money is shit but I really don’t know how to go about this…
Any advice?
we’d be really grateful.
I hold a Malaysian passport.
my email is EMAIL REMOVED i’d be really grateful for a response
god i hope no spambots catch me.
March 30th, 2010 at 08:35
Szia Jolene,
Its always good to hear from another Hungarian mix relationship
Best of luck to you guys!
Well, that’s a tough one to answer, I am afraid I dont have much knowledge about it. If you do get married, I believe that will only entitle you to stay in Hungary permanently, and not sure about England. Since the UK is not in the Schengen area where we can travel without a passport, they’ll require you to have some sort of a VISA for long term stay, as opposed to us residents of the EU who can stay unlimited.
Our situation was different, we wanted to stay in Hungary so for us the only way to go was to get the residency permit.
Also, if you get married in Hungary to begin with, you won’t face any of the issues we faced, as we got married in Japan and trying to import our marital status back to Hungary was the difficult part.
Hope all goes well, and keep us updated,
Ben
March 30th, 2010 at 19:58
Hi everybody,
Please i will like to know if it is possible to apply for the hungarian permenant resident from England since me and my wife are living and working in England. We got married in Hungary and but left when i got a Job here in the UK. Please can someone share information on how i will be go about it because my 5 years resident permit i got from hungary is about to expire. Look forward to ur answer
July 24th, 2010 at 06:19
Hi. does any one know what documents are required for permanent visa application? is apeh certificate of last previous year required?