Hungary: Available quotas and application process for the WHV

Volare Editorial | March 15, 2026

Planning to obtain the Hungary Working Holiday Visa requires knowing exactly the annual vacancy availability and the processing modality assigned to each country by the immigration authorities.

Unlike other bilateral agreements, Hungary maintains a strictly defined quota system and offers different application routes depending on the applicant's passport, including the exceptional possibility of applying directly from Hungarian territory. Below, we detail the official regulations divided into vacancy availability and processing modalities.

1. Available quotas by nationality

The annual limits established for the 2026 cycle are the following:

• 100 quotas: Colombia, Ecuador, New Zealand, South Korea, and Taiwan.

• 200 quotas: Argentina, Chile, Hong Kong, and Japan.

• 500 quotas: Australia.

Because these limits are relatively low compared to other European destinations, it is recommended to start the document collection process in advance to secure a vacancy.

2. Application process and official routes

The method to apply for the temporary residence permit varies significantly according to the visa exemption agreements of each nation:

• Rest of nationalities (General Rule): A hybrid process is required. The applicant must initiate the registration online and subsequently attend an in-person appointment at the corresponding embassy or consulate for document submission and biometric data collection. The standard approval time is 3 to 4 weeks.

• Japan: A flexibility of routes known as Path A and Path B is officially established. This allows Japanese citizens to avoid the prior hybrid process from their country of origin and apply for their residence permit directly at the immigration offices within Hungary, having initially entered as visa-exempt tourists.

• Taiwan: Like the Japanese agreement, the guidelines dictate a dual route. Taiwanese citizens can apply for the permit from the embassy (regular route), or, having previously entered Hungarian territory visa-free, carry out the direct process in the country. The process takes 3 to 4 weeks.

For more details on the application processes and the preparation of your file, consult our official Working Holiday Visas section for Hungary.