Hungary is phasing out an old style of permanent residence card issued to family members of EU/EEA citizens and third-country family members of Hungarian citizens — if it's a laminated card issued between August 3, 2016 and August 2, 2021, it stops being valid on August 3, 2026.
Why the change
EU rules require residence permits to meet formal security standards to reduce forgery and ID theft risk — each permit must clearly show whether it's a temporary or permanent residence document and whether it was issued for family unification. Some older Hungarian cards from this specific five-year window don't meet those standards, so they lose validity even if their original expiry date is later.
Who this actually affects
Only a narrow group: family members of EEA citizens, and third-country national family members of Hungarian citizens, holding the old laminated (not newer plastic) permanent residence card issued in that window. Affected holders were supposed to receive a letter from the Immigration Office (OIF) with instructions on applying for a replacement.
- Affected: laminated permanent residence cards, family-unification basis, issued Aug 3 2016 – Aug 2 2021
- Not affected: newer plastic cards, or cards issued outside that window
- Holders should have received an OIF letter with replacement instructions
- Most replacements are treated as an extension rather than a fresh application, so the cultural exam typically doesn't apply — case-dependent
Not a Globaris pathway, but relevant if any candidate or family member holds Hungarian residency through this route — check the card's issue date and material now rather than after August 3, since a lapsed card can complicate onward travel or renewal elsewhere in the EU.
