Open a Bank account

Opening a bank account in Hungary can be a bit challenging if you're not a Hungarian resident or citizen, especially if you wish to do it online or from outside the country. To make the process smoother, follow these steps:

Visit a Local Branch: The most reliable way to open a bank account in Hungary is to visit a local branch. Try to avoid peak hours, such as the morning rush or near closing time, as this can save you time.
Language Assistance: Be prepared to encounter limited English proficiency among bank staff. It may help to bring someone who speaks Hungarian with you to facilitate communication and speed up the process.
Required Documents: As a foreigner, you'll typically need the following documents:
Passport or national ID card.
If you are from outside the EU/EEA, a valid travel document or visa.
A local Hungarian phone number.
Proof of address in Hungary.
Patience Required: The account setup process can take around 30 minutes or longer, so be patient and allow sufficient time for this.
Research Account Types: Hungarian banks offer various types of accounts. It's advisable to do some research beforehand to determine which account suits your needs best.
Online Banking: Once your account is set up, you can access it online. Most major banks provide web and mobile apps, many of which have English versions. This allows you to manage your banking activities conveniently from anywhere.

By following these steps, you can navigate the process of opening a bank account in Hungary more effectively, even as a non-resident or non-citizen.

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The address card is one of our most important documents: we may need it when using healthcare services, but it can also be requested for any official paperwork, so it's important to always have an address card that is up to date. All your documents from the Goverment send to your address. If you don't have one, you can miss a deadline. Also it's a proof to apply for the citizenship.
Your residensy status still ok, but your card expire in every 5 years.
If you apply for citizenship and are over 60 years old, you are exempt from the citizenship exam. However, this does not mean that you don't need to speak the language. Your language proficiency will be assessed during the application process through a brief conversation at the Consulate. In most cases, 30 hours of language instruction are sufficient to acquire this proficiency. This can be completed in about 8 weeks through online instruction, with classes held twice a week, each lasting about two hours. At the Consulate, an appointed official will assess this, not a language teacher, making it relatively easy to meet the language requirement. You can submit the application at the Consulate, and if needed, the citizenship oath can also be administered there.
Residence address registration is carried out in the central registry, and this provides the opportunity to obtain a Hungarian personal identification card. This is significant if you intend to open a bank account or need to extend a residence permit at the Consulate. I will come back to this later. Unfortunately, the personal identification card can only be obtained in person in Hungary at the Consulate for now. You can apply for it at any time, even 3-4 years from now, by presenting your residence card.
If you have a Hungarian Address Card for 8 years, ur if you made your first Address when you was under 18, than it's 5 years till you can apply.

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