Passport renewal in Hungary
Renewing a Hungarian passport typically involves submitting an application in person at a designated government office in Hungary or a Hungarian consular mission abroad, providing necessary documents, and paying a fee. The process includes biometric data collection, such as fingerprints and a facial image.
It is generally advisable to start the passport renewal process several months before the current passport's expiration date. This allows ample time for scheduling an appointment, preparing all required documents, and accommodating for potential processing delays, which can vary depending on the location of application and the season.
Start 90 days ahead
This lead time accounts for potential appointment waiting times, the preparation of required documents, and the official processing period for the new passport. Processing times can vary depending on where the application is submitted (e.g., in Hungary vs. abroad) and the specific office's workload.
The process
- 1Determine the appropriate application location: This could be a government office (kormányablak) in Hungary, or a Hungarian embassy or consulate if applying from abroad.
- 2Schedule an appointment if required: Many offices, especially consulates, require pre-booked appointments for passport applications.
- 3Gather all necessary documents, including the expiring passport, identification, and proof of address if applicable.
- 4Attend the appointment in person to submit the application, provide biometric data (fingerprints, facial image), and sign required forms.
- 5Pay the applicable passport renewal fee.
- 6Track the application status if a tracking service is provided.
- 7Collect the new passport once it is ready, typically in person at the same location where the application was submitted.
What to bring
- Current Hungarian passport (if available, even if expired)
- Hungarian identity card (személyazonosító igazolvány) or birth certificate, if the passport is lost or significantly damaged
- Proof of address in Hungary (lakcímkártya) or residence permit if residing abroad (may be required in certain cases)
- Previous police report if the passport was lost or stolen (if applicable)
- Marriage certificate or divorce decree if there has been a change in name (if applicable)
- Proof of payment of the application fee
Who handles it
Közigazgatási és Igazságügyi Minisztérium / Ministry of Public Administration and Justice (or local government offices/consular services acting on its behalf)
https://konzuliszolgalat.kormany.hu/utlevel-igenylese
The fee for a Hungarian passport renewal varies based on factors such as the applicant's age, the validity period of the new passport, and whether it's a standard or expedited procedure. Specific fees should be confirmed with the applying authority (e.g., government office or consulate) as they are subject to change and may differ for applications submitted in Hungary versus abroad. Fees are usually payable in Hungarian Forints (HUF) in Hungary, or local currency equivalent if applying through a consulate.
What commonly goes wrong
- Ensure all necessary supporting documents are current and valid, as expired or invalid documents can lead to delays.
- Biometric data (fingerprints, facial image) must be provided in person, so applicants cannot apply by mail for the initial submission.
- Confirm whether an appointment is mandatory for the chosen application location, as walk-in services may not be available.
- Be aware that processing times can be longer for applications submitted outside of Hungary.
Sources
This guide is based on one official source.
- Útlevél igénylése | Konzuli Szolgálat konzuliszolgalat.kormany.hu
Other documents in Hungary
Passport renewal in other countries
Often renewed together
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