ON THIS PAGE YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT
• Statelessness determination procedure in Hungary
• Rights of stateless persons in Hungary
Being stateless means that you do not have any nationality (you are not recognized as a citizen of any country in the world). If you think you might be stateless, you should first ask the Hungarian immigration authority to officially recognize you as a stateless person.
Statelessness determination procedure in Hungary
You can apply for statelessness determination at the immigration authority (National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing). There is no template for the application, you can apply either in writing or by telling it verbally to a case officer there.
You apply at any client service of the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing.
You are not required to have a valid residence permit in Hungary to apply for statelessness determination. In this case, the immigration authority will give you a “temporary residence certificate”. With this document, you can legally stay in Hungary during the procedure until the authority decides on your application. The procedure is free of charge, you do not have to pay anything.
After you have applied, the immigration authority will invite you to two in-person interviews. During the preliminary interview, you will be asked basic information about yourself, and during the detailed interview you will be requested to share more information about your background.
You can find further information about the procedure at the website of the immigration authority in English.
If you are considering applying for stateless status, it is recommended that you consult with a lawyer. The Hungarian Helsinki Committee provides free legal advice and representation. Callout: HHC
You can also reach out to UNHCR, as we can participate in your interviews, and provide you with support and assistance.
Rights of stateless persons in Hungary
If you are recognized as a stateless person, you have the right to receive a humanitarian residence permit in Hungary.
- This is not automatic, you should request this permit at the immigration authority (National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing).
- The residence permit is first valid for three years, and after that you can ask for an extension every year.
- You can work as recognized stateless person, but you need to request a unified work and residence permit from the immigration authority.
Family reunification: As a recognized stateless person, you have the right to reunite with your family, for which you need to demonstrate sufficient livelihood, accommodation, and health insurance in Hungary, as well as proof of the family link.
Public education: Recognized stateless children in Hungary are entitled to state-funded preschool care (kindergarten) and public primary and secondary education, similarly to Hungarian nationals. As a recognized stateless person, you have the right to enroll in state-funded, partly state-funded, or self-financed higher education studies, similarly to Hungarian nationals.
Social security: Acquiring stateless status does not create an entitlement to social security, or to all-round free public health care, unless you are employed or otherwise have social security entitlement. If you are not insured by social security (for example through employment), you have access to the same healthcare as foreigners (that is, emergency care), and you may need to pay to access the services.
Travel document: As a stateless person, you also have the right to get a special travel document. You can use it to travel abroad and then come back to Hungary. It is valid for one year, and you can ask for renewal. With a valid residence permit a stateless person can travel to and stay in another EU Member State for up to 90 days within a 180 days period. If you wish to travel to countries located outside of the European Union and the Schengen area, please check prior to your planned travel whether the country of destination accepts travel documents issued for stateless persons under the 1954 UN Convention and whether there is any visa requirement.
