Starting from 2025, those who apply for permanent residency in Hungary must pass a cultural exam in Hungarian to prove that they are planning to stay in Hungary in the long term. Read on to get an overview of what this means.
You only need to take the cultural exam if you are a third-country national newly applying for permanent residency in Hungary starting from 2025 (through either National Residence Card or the EU Residence Card). You do not need to take the cultural exam if:
You are not a third-country national
You already had permanent residency under the old immigration law (in force until the end of 2023)
You have submitted your permanent residency application still in 2024
Apart from the above, there have been no exemptions announced for now, neither for age nor for any other condition.
You will be able to submit your permanent residency application only once you have received your certificate.
Pass a written exam
The cultural exam required for Hungarian permanent residency is a written exam where you have 60 minutes to answer 12 questions about Hungarian and European culture and traditions. The language of the exam is Hungarian, and you need to achieve at least 50% + 1 point, which in this case means at least 16 points out of the total 30.
You will be required to prove your knowledge of the below topics by answering 2 questions on each.
National holidays and emblems of Hungary (coat of arms, flag, crown, national anthem)
The most important events of Hungarian history (foundation, the revolution of 1848-49, the Trianon Treaty, the revolution of 1956, the change of regime in 1990)
Prominent personalities of European and Hungarian music and literature
Essential institutions of Hungary (parliament, president, government)
Civil rights and responsibilities
Everyday life in Europe and Hungary