- Academic Calendar & Key Dates
Stay organized by checking the official academic calendar regularly. It includes:
- Semester starts and end dates
- Course registration periods
- Exam weeks
- Holidays and breaks
Tip: Mark important deadlines in your personal calendar.
- Visa and residence permit
All international students must register at the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policy (Immigration Office or OIF).
Basic rules:
• ALWAYS book an appointment online!
• Check the required documents and always bring your PASSPORT!
Hungary offers various visa and residence permit options depending on the purpose and duration of stay. This summary includes only the information relevant to study-related purposes.
Citizens of European Union countries do not need a visa or even a passport to travel to Hungary: they only need to present a national ID card. However, they must register at the Immigration Office, stating the purpose of their stay. Children and minors must have their own documentation (parental declarations are attached to conditional offers in DreamApply for applicants under 18).
Long-term visas, also known as national D visas, are required for stays exceeding 90 days and are typically issued for purposes like study, work, or family reunification. Applicants must demonstrate:
- Valid international passport (the passport validity must be one year at least from the date of submitting the visa application)
- A passport-sized photo
- Application forms (form + appendix 9.13) completed and signed
- Final acceptance letter to BUEB
- Proof of payment for tuition fee
- Proof of accommodation (e.g.: confirmation of dormitory acceptance, lease agreement, hotel booking)
- Final certificates, transcripts of records
- English language certificate (TOEFL, IELTS)
- Financial support (Bank statements and other means of income) (there is no specific balance you should have – it should be able to prove that your long-term stay, (accommodation, health insurance, everyday life etc.) is financially supported) Personal certified bank statements or parents/spouse certified bank statement from the last 6 months (original, in English) + commitment letter from the sponsor to support the student during the time of his/her studies in Hungary; copy of the passport or ID of the sponsor.)
- Application forms and other documents for stays longer than three months are available on the website of the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (OIF).
📆 Visa Application Timeline – D Type (Long-Term Stay)
Step 1: Document Preparation
- Collect all required documents, including:
- Visa application form
- Appendix (depending on purpose: study, work, etc.)
- Passport (valid for at least 3 months after leaving Schengen)
- Photos (2 color, recent)
- Medical insurance
- Proof of accommodation, financial means, and purpose of stay
You can send in your visa application anytime between 6 months and 15 days before your planned visit. Usually, you’ll hear back about your application within 15 days. It’s best to apply early, ideally more than 15 days before your trip. If there are any delays, the consulate isn’t responsible for any issues with your travel plans. In some cases, the decision might take up to 45 days.
Step 2: Make the appointment
- You can schedule your appointment for a Hungary with VFS Global if you live in Bahrain, Belarus, Canada, China, Cyprus, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Mongolia, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, or the United Kingdom.
- You can schedule your appointment for a Hungary visa through TLScontact if you live in Iraq, South Africa, Thailand, or Vietnam.
- You can schedule your appointment for a Hungary visa through BLS International if you live in Azerbaijan.
- If you reside anywhere else you need to book an appointment via the Hungarian embassy or consulate, or the embassy or consulate of another Schengen country to whom Hungary has delegated visa processing.
- To book an appointment with a Hungarian embassy or consulate, visit the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. After you select the location (country/city) where you will apply, and then the type of application, you’ll be able to pick an appointment date from the available options.
- It’s advisable to book your appointment early. Appointments can be scheduled up to six months before your intended travel date. Note that if you submit your application less than 15 days before your planned travel date, the Consulate may not accept it.
Step 4: In-Person Appointment
- On the date of your scheduled appointment, appear on time and submit your application form and documents, as well as enough money to pay your visa fee.
- Bring original documents and copies.
- At the appointment:
- Photo, fingerprints, and electronic signature are taken.
- Documents are forwarded to the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (OIF) in Hungary.
Step 5: Decision & Notification
- The consulate/embassy does not decide on visa approval.
- The National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (OIF) in Hungary makes the final decision.
- You can track your Hungary visa application status if you applied through a VFS or TLScontact application centre. Visit the website of the VFS/TLS office in which you applied, and look for the Track application option. You have to enter the reference number you received after submitting your application to proceed.
- Tracking your application if you applied through an embassy or consulate may not be possible—if you are interested in tracking your application, you should inquire with the consular officers when you submit your application.
- You’ll be notified once a decision is made.
- If your visa application is successful, the visa will be affixed to your passport, allowing you to travel to Hungary and the Schengen Area.
The validity of your visa will be stated on the visa sticker—within which dates you can travel and how many days you can stay in Hungary in total. Schengen visas are issued for single, double, or multiple entries.
- If your visa is rejected, the reason for the rejection will be clearly stated on the decision letter. What you can do is:
- Re-apply for the visa. You can submit another visa application as soon as you can, fixing the mistakes which lead to the initial rejection.
- Appeal the decision. You can also appeal the decision, by submitting a written appeal letter to the consulate or embassy within 8 days of receiving the refusal. You have to write the letter of appeal in Hungarian or another official EU language, and the fee for the appeal is €160. The letter of appeal has to be addressed to the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
- You will receive a notification that your visa has been processed with instructions on how to collect your passport. You have two options:
- You can pick up your passport yourself in the same location as where you submitted your application.
- You can have it delivered to you through a courier service. For this, you will have to pay an extra charge at the time of delivery.
For stays exceeding 90 days for non-tourism purposes, EU citizens must register at the Immigration Office, stating the purpose of their stay. D visa holders are required to apply for a residence permit during their visa interview. The residence permit card will be delivered directly to the university, so there’s no need to visit the authorities in person. You’ll receive a notification once it arrives, along with the exact time and place when you can pick it up.
Before you submit your documents you are obliged to book an appointment with the Embassy/Consulate. You can find information about this HERE. Please do this well in advance as sometimes it can take a few weeks to receive an appointment. Be prepared that an administrative service fee of EUR 110 has to be paid at the diplomatic or consular mission in EUR or in other convertible currency. Visa fee is NOT required from students who receive Stipendium Hungaricum and Erasmus+ Scholarship.
You will need the following documents to apply for the residence permit:
- the completed form,
- passport-sized photo (no older than 3 months)
- other supporting documents (see the details later)
- payment of the procedural fee
The application shall be submitted with the form “Application for Residence Permit” and Appendix 13 completed and printed. Both documents can be downloaded from the official website of the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing by clicking HERE (general form) and HERE (Appendix 13).
If your request has been approved, you have 3 months to enter Hungary. These 3 months are not counted from the moment you receive your visa but from the moment the decision is made. It may happen that the period shown on the visa will be shorter than 3 months, since those days between the decision and the issuance of the visa will be deducted. Always check your visa to see which is the last date when you can enter Hungary and make your travel arrangements accordingly. After your Residence Permit is ready, it will be sent to the University. We will notify you when the document is available for pick up.
You will need to submit the following supporting documents:
- Documents verifying the purpose of your stay: In your case the purpose will be studying, the proof of this will be the Final Acceptance Letter issued by BUEB. Please keep in mind that your Conditional Acceptance Letter is NOT a valid document to submit. In case you have already enrolled to the university, you can submit a student status verification form called “Enrollment Certificate”.
- Proof of language proficiency: You can either submit a language certificate (as proof of a language exam) or an official diploma/confirmation from your previous school where you completed your studies in English.
- Proof of tuition fee payment: You need a document proving that you paid the tuition fee. This is written in your final admission letter, so this should be accepted by the authorities. In case other proof is needed, let us know.
- Proof for sufficient finances: You need to prove that you have enough money to finance your studies and to cover your living expenses, accommodation, traveling costs and healthcare if necessary. You also need to have enough money to buy a plane ticket when you travel back home. These documents are of particular importance so pay special attention when collecting these.
- You may submit your own bank statement if you have enough savings. If you don’t have enough savings, you need to have sponsors who will support you during your studies in Hungary. Please note that only your parents or grandparents can be your sponsors. Other family members are only accepted under very special circumstances which require additional proof. In most cases, no other sponsor is accepted, and the application is rejected.
- IMPORTANT! The National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (Immigration Office) examines the continuous availability of funds. This means that fluctuation or a recently deposited/transferred unusually big amount of money will be considered problematic. Only submit statements which show stable income/savings (with only small or no fluctuation) and avoid depositing a huge amount of money 5-6 months before the date of the visa application. If moving a bigger amount of money between accounts is unavoidable, make sure you have proper proof where the money came from.
- Example: Your father sells some land and earns 3000 EUR from the sale. This amount is deposited in his account. Proof of the sale (translated to English) should be included in your application. The same is needed if this amount is transferred to your account and you submit your own bank statement.
- If you have a sponsor: A notarized commitment (sponsorship) letter from your sponsor must be submitted that he or she will support you during your studies in Hungary. (Of course, both your parents can be sponsors.) In this case, their bank statement must be submitted as proof of sufficient funds. The guarantor must have a regular income. You must provide evidence of relationships with the sponsor by submitting a notarized birth certificate.
- If you are your own sponsor: In this case you must provide proof for a steady income and enough savings to support yourself. If you have been working, a letter from your employer should be submitted detailing the length of your employment, your position and your monthly income. If available, your monthly salary slips should be submitted with other supporting documents.
Third-country nationals, who submitted their application at a Hungarian Consulate abroad and hold a type D visa, must do the following.
- Travel to Hungary with the type D visa. Please keep in mind that your visa only allows you to enter Hungary to pick up your permit. The permit will be the document confirming the purpose of your stay.
- You can get the issued residence permit at the university. You will receive an e-mail about the collection details after we received the permit. Please DO NOT turn up without any notification and take into consideration that issuing the card and posting time might take as long as 7 weekdays . You are NO longer supposed to visit the Immigration Office to pick up the card. Make sure to check the validity date. This date should be remembered as you will have to submit your extension request 45 days before your permit expires.
- Your e- certificate of accommodation will be sent to you electronically. In case your address is different from the one you indicated during your visa application, you will have to report the change. Please check the relevant section for instructions.
Those students who are nationals of a visa-exempt country (non-EU) can either submit a residence permit application in their home country or can enter Hungary and start the procedure online here, via the EnterHungary website.
3. Enrollment & Neptun System
Every student must complete the required administrative steps during the enrollment period.
The exact instructions (including deadlines and campus information) will be sent via email in August. Please wait for that email — it contains all timing details.
Below you will find the full, status‑specific breakdown of what each student group must prepare.
A) Stipendium Hungaricum and Other Scholarship Students (Full Program / Degree-Seeking)
1. Neptun Enrollment Process
- Period: 02.02.2026 – 09.02.2026
- Neptun path: Administration → Term Registration
- Select 2025/26/2 → click Enroll → choose Active → Save
2. Check Your Pre-Filled Application Form
If any personal data is incorrect, contact the Student Services Office (HÜCS) before submitting the request.
3. Download and Sign Your Enrollment Form
- Neptun path: Administration → Requests → Submitted Requests
- Click FORM DOWNLOAD
- Print and sign using a blue pen
4. Submit Your Documents in Person
Bring the following:
- Passport + copy
- Copy of your high school certificate or bachelor diploma
- Hungarian address certificate (Enter Hungary → accommodation certificate with QR code)
- Letter of Award (Tempus Foundation)
- Completed and signed enrollment form
- You will also sign on site:
- health insurance application
- power of attorney (to ease the administration process)
5. Health Insurance (TAJ)
- Third-country scholarship students are assisted by the University with their first TAJ-card application.
- TAJ renewal must be done by the student.
- All students must have temporary health insurance upon arrival.
6. Important Notes for SH Students
- No visa fee is required.
- Semester activation is required every semester, not only the first one.
- For any issues regarding enrollment or Neptun, contact HÜCS.
B) Erasmus / Exchange Students (Guest Students)
1. Documents Required at Enrollment
- Passport or ID
- Enrollment sheet (sent by email)
(Guest students generally need only these documents unless otherwise required by their home institution.)
2. Student Card Information
- Exchange students will not receive a permanent Hungarian student card.
- They receive a temporary student card:
- valid for 60 days, renewable until the end of the mobility period
- valid only together with a photo ID (passport or national ID)
- cannot be used with an educational ID number for buying passes
3. Transcript of Records
- After the end of the mobility, a Transcript of Records will be issued and sent to the home institution.
- Students must check their registered courses and grades in Neptun before the semester ends to avoid discrepancies.
- Offered grades that are not accepted in time will be deleted.
C) Self-Financing International Students (Full Program / Fee-Paying)
1. Neptun Code
You will receive your Neptun code via email in August.
After logging in for the first time, please change your password immediately.
2. Semester Activation (Required Every Semester)
- Neptun path: Administration → Enrollment/Registration
- Choose the correct term
- For September starters: 2026/27/1
- Click “+” → Enroll → Active → Save
3. Required Documents / Forms
- Enrollment form (Neptun → Requests → Submitted requests → FORM DOWNLOAD)
- Self-Financing Training Contract:
- downloadable from Neptun: Student Training contract EN_admitted students
- must be submitted in two signed copies
4. Documents to Bring
- Passport
- Final Acceptance Letter
- Final certificate (high school or bachelor diploma)
- Visa / Residence Permit
- Signed Training Contract (2 copies)
(These requirements apply only to degree-seeking students, not to guest/exchange students.)
D) Neptun System – Main Functions (All Students)
You can use Neptun for:
- Course registration
- Exam registration
- Checking grades and accepting them
- Updating personal data
- Paying fees
- Messaging lecturers and administrators
- Submitting forms and requests
- Giving third-party authorization
- Providing course/teacher feedback
- Activating your semester (mandatory every semester!)
📌 Always check your emails and Neptun messages regularly.
Missing an administrative deadline may result in extra fees or delayed studies.
- Accommodation
Finding suitable accommodation in Budapest is an important part of preparing for your studies. Below you will find the available options, useful partners, and essential information you should know before choosing your housing arrangement.
1. University Accommodation Information
All official accommodation-related information is available here:
👉 https://uni-bge.hu/en/accomodation
This page includes:
- dormitory options
- application procedures
- deadlines and requirements
- contact information
Please check this page regularly as availability may vary throughout the year.
2. Recommended Housing Partners
Unitap (Premium Paid Service)
Unitap provides personalized, fee-based support for students who want tailored help in:
- searching for apartments
- arranging viewings
- handling contracts
- navigating Hungarian rental requirements
This service is optional and available for students who prefer professional assistance.
3. Important Notes on Private Rentals in Hungary
Address Registration (Lakcímkártya)
If you rent a private apartment, your landlord must provide the required documentation so you can obtain your Hungarian address card.
To register your address, you will generally need:
- passport
- residence permit (for third-country nationals)
- accommodation reporting form signed by your landlord
Your address card is needed for:
- getting a SIM card
- many administrative procedures
- certain banking services
Special Note for Exchange Students
Exchange/guest students often cannot obtain a Hungarian address card, depending on their length of stay and rental type.
Because of this:
- they may face difficulties purchasing a prepaid Hungarian SIM card
- it is recommended that they purchase a roaming plan from their home country before arrival, especially if affordability is a concern
- if they still want a local SIM, they should ask the provider in advance about requirements and acceptable documents
5. SIM Cards & Internet
Hungarian providers (such as Telekom, Yettel, Vodafone) usually require a valid address card when registering a prepaid SIM.
If you do not have an address card, you may:
- use an international eSIM or roaming package from home
- buy a short-term tourist SIM (limited availability)
- wait until you receive your residence permit + address registration (for full-program students)
It is recommended to bring your passport for any SIM-related administration.
6. Tips for Renting in Budapest
- Always read your contract carefully.
- Never pay money before signing a legally valid rental agreement.
- Request contracts in English if needed.
- Be aware that many landlords require a security deposit (usually 1–2 months of rent).
- Utilities (internet, water, electricity, heating) are often not included in the rent.
7. Student Life & Practical Info
Student ID (Diákigazolvány)
For Degree-seeking Students:
- Visit a Kormányablak (Government Office) with your passport, residence permit, and address card to have your photo and signature taken.
- Request a NEK identifier (they’ll take your photo and issue a form)
- Log in to Neptun → Administration > Student Card Request
- Click Add New, enter your NEK code (no dashes), choose First Application, and save
Please note that you are only eligible for a temporary student card if you've applied for the permanent student card
For Exchange Students:
- Request a temporary student card at your Faculty’s Student Services Office
- Please note that if you are an Erasmus or short exchange student, you will not have a permanent student card
Without a valid student card (along with an ID/passport), you won’t be eligible for student discounts on public transport and other services.
IMPORTANT! After the end of your studies, a Transcript of Records will be made available to you, and will be sent to your home institution by the International Department. Please make sure to check that your grades are correct in the system at the end of the semester and that you've accepted any optional grades.
8. Campuses & Facilities
9. Getting Around Budapest
- Use your student ID to buy discounted Hungary Pass to travel all across Hungary (Budapest included) for less, than 5 euros
- Please note that some trains require a mandatory seat reservation. This fee is not covered by the Hungary Pass and must be purchased separately.
- Download the Budapest GO app to plan your routes
- Public transport includes the metro, trams, buses, and night services
10. Banking & Essentials
- Open a local bank account (OTP, Erste, K&H etc.) for easier payments
- Emergency number in Hungary: 112
- Health insurance is mandatory, check your coverage before arrival (e.g.: Generali)
- All international students are required to have at least temporary health insurance upon arrival.
- Third‑country scholarship students will be assisted by the University in obtaining National Health Insurance.
- Third‑country self‑funded students are required to arrange their own insurance coverage.
- Students with EU citizenship can use their European Health Insurance Card in Hungary.