Schengen Visa for Hungary from the UK: Application, Fees and Processing in 2026

A Schengen visa for Hungary is the short-stay or long-stay travel authorisation issued by the Hungarian consular authorities for entry into the Schengen area through Hungary. UK passport holders do not need one for short tourism trips, but UK residents on visa-requiring passports and all long-stay applicants do.

Who needs a Schengen visa from the UK for Hungary

British citizens travelling on a UK passport do not need a short-stay Schengen visa for Hungary. Since 1 January 2021, UK passport holders have been treated as third-country nationals under EU visa rules but they sit on the visa-free list at Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806. Short visits for tourism, business meetings, conference attendance, short family stays and similar non-economic purposes are permitted for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the Schengen area as a whole, not 90 days per country.

UK residents who hold a passport from a visa-requiring third country (for example Nigeria, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, China, South Africa) do need a short-stay Schengen visa to enter Hungary as a tourist. They apply via the Hungarian consular route in the UK if Hungary is the main destination of the trip, or if it is the country of first entry where the planned stays are equal across multiple Schengen states.

A long-stay (national, also known as Type D) visa is needed by anyone, including UK passport holders, who intends to spend more than 90 days in Hungary for work, study, family reunification, research or other defined purposes. The long-stay route is separate from the Schengen short-stay route and is handled directly by the consular section of the Embassy of Hungary in London under Hungarian national law rather than the EU Visa Code.

Where to apply: consular jurisdiction and application centres

The Embassy of Hungary in London is located at 35 Eaton Place, London SW1X 8BY. Its consular jurisdiction covers the United Kingdom and Ireland. There is no separate Hungarian consulate in Edinburgh, Manchester or Belfast for visa intake; applicants resident anywhere in the UK route through London.

Short-stay Schengen visa applications are processed through VFS Global, which operates a Hungarian visa application centre in the UK and handles intake, biometric capture and document return. Applicants book an appointment on the VFS portal, attend in person for fingerprint and photo capture, and submit a complete supporting file. The consular decision is taken by the Embassy of Hungary, not by VFS. Verify the current routing on konzinfo.mfa.gov.hu before booking.

Long-stay (national D) applications are submitted directly to the consular section of the Embassy of Hungary in London. An appointment is booked through the embassy and the file is lodged in person. Long-stay applicants should consult london.mfa.gov.hu for the up-to-date list of documents, including translated and apostilled civil-status certificates, employer contracts or university enrolment letters where applicable.

How to apply: documents, biometrics and fees

For a short-stay Schengen visa to Hungary, the standard documentary file follows the EU Visa Code and includes a completed Schengen visa application form, a valid passport with at least three months of validity beyond the planned departure from Schengen and at least two blank pages, two recent biometric photographs, travel medical insurance covering at least EUR 30,000 valid across the Schengen area, a flight booking confirmation, proof of accommodation, evidence of sufficient funds for the trip, and where relevant a letter of invitation, employer letter, or business invitation.

Biometric enrolment (ten-finger scan and a digital photograph) is mandatory for first-time Schengen applicants and is retained in the Visa Information System (VIS) for 59 months. Applicants who have submitted biometrics for a previous Schengen visa within the past 59 months may not need to re-enrol, subject to VIS verification.

The short-stay (Type C) Schengen visa fee was raised to EUR 90 from 11 June 2024 and is the standard EU-wide rate. Children aged 6 to 11 pay EUR 45 and children under 6 are exempt. Holders of certain passports benefit from visa-facilitation agreements with the EU and may pay a reduced fee. The fee is payable at the point of application and is non-refundable if the application is refused. VFS service charges are levied in addition to the consular fee. The current fee should be verified on konzinfo.mfa.gov.hu before applying.

Processing times and what to expect

The legal processing window under the EU Visa Code is 15 calendar days from the date the application is lodged at the consulate (or VFS) for short-stay Schengen visas. This can be extended to 45 calendar days where additional checks are needed (for example, prior consultation with other Schengen member states). Where supporting documents are missing, the consulate may request further information and the clock pauses until those are received.

Applicants are expected to apply no earlier than six months before the planned trip and at least 15 calendar days in advance. Peak season (May to August) sees longer queues at biometric appointments and tighter availability of slots; off-peak applications are typically decided closer to the 15-day floor. Verify current processing windows on konzinfo.mfa.gov.hu, and check the most recent operational notices on the Embassy of Hungary London pages.

Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS: what UK travellers should know

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) began phased rollout on 12 October 2025 and registers all non-EU travellers entering the Schengen area at their first border crossing. The system captures a digital facial image and four fingerprints alongside the passport data and replaces the manual passport-stamping regime that previously tracked visa-free stays. EES applies to UK passport holders regardless of whether they hold a Schengen visa, and the registration is reused on subsequent trips for three years. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office publishes EES guidance at gov.uk, and the European Commission EES portal sits at travel-europe.europa.eu.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected to launch from late 2026 or in 2027 (verify the current status on travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en before relying on this). Once live, UK passport holders will need to obtain an ETIAS authorisation (EUR 7, valid three years) before short visa-exempt travel to Schengen states including Hungary. ETIAS is not a visa; it is an electronic pre-travel screening for visa-exempt third-country nationals.

Long-stay national visas for Hungary

Hungary issues long-stay national (Type D) visas for purposes including employment, intra-corporate transfer, study, research, family reunification with a Hungarian national or settled foreign resident, and a small number of investor-style categories. The national visa is the entry document; on arrival, the holder typically applies for a residence permit at the Hungarian National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (NDGAP).

The Hungary White Card is a residence permit for non-EEA nationals working remotely for a non-Hungarian employer. It is not a Schengen visa: applicants either enter Hungary visa-free or on a Type D visa and then apply for the White Card residence permit on the territory. Detailed criteria, document checklists and current fees for both the D visa and the White Card are published on konzinfo.mfa.gov.hu and the Hungarian immigration directorate site.

Frequently asked questions

Do UK citizens need a visa to visit Hungary in 2026?

No. UK passport holders are visa-exempt for short stays in the Schengen area, including Hungary, for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. Once ETIAS launches (expected from late 2026 or in 2027), an ETIAS authorisation will be required before short visa-exempt trips.

Where do I apply for a Hungarian Schengen visa from the UK?

Short-stay (Type C) Schengen visa applications are processed through VFS Global on behalf of the Embassy of Hungary in London. Long-stay national (Type D) applications are submitted directly to the consular section of the embassy at 35 Eaton Place, London SW1X 8BY.

How much is the Schengen visa fee for Hungary?

The standard short-stay Schengen visa fee is currently EUR 90 for adults, EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 11, and free for children under 6. VFS Global service charges are payable in addition. Verify the current consular fee and service fee before applying.

How long does a Hungarian Schengen visa take?

The legal processing window is 15 calendar days from lodgement, extendable to 45 calendar days where additional checks are required. Applications are accepted up to six months before the planned trip and should be filed at least 15 calendar days in advance.

Is the Hungary White Card a Schengen visa?

No. The Hungary White Card is a residence permit for non-EEA nationals working remotely for a foreign employer. It is issued by the Hungarian immigration directorate and is governed by Hungarian national law, not the EU Schengen Visa Code.

Can I apply for a Hungarian visa in Edinburgh or Manchester?

There is no Hungarian consulate in Edinburgh, Manchester or Belfast that accepts visa applications. Short-stay visas are processed via VFS Global in the UK and long-stay applications are submitted to the Embassy of Hungary in London. Applicants travel to the designated application point.

What is the EU Entry/Exit System and does it affect Hungary trips?

Yes. From October 2025 the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) registers all non-EU travellers biometrically at first entry to the Schengen area, including UK passport holders. The registration captures a facial image and four fingerprints and replaces the previous passport-stamping system.