Non-EU spouse of EU citizen - work permit?

Have to talk to immigration services.
Any other answer from us might be wrong.
I am a non EU US citizen married to a HU citizen.
I have the right to work in Hu if I wanted to but my paperwork to get a resident permit took over 6 months to get in hand.
My papers went through the wringer here, someone dropped the ball.
Anything could happen here with us 3rd country people, that's what they call us if we are not EU citizens.

Thanks, Marilyn - you're right, I think that's the only sure bet. But if I can ask: Did you need to do anything extra to obtain the work authorization (extra forms, specify an employer, etc.)? Or is that included in the resident permit?

It was a long while ago, over 8 years so I do not remember every detail but yes, I do think it was part of my permanent resident permit to stay.
Some people get different sorts of permits, mine was long term because I am a spouse of a HU citizen.
Some people get shorter term permits so I don't know the details on those.
I also had to get a tax ID number, really never used it as I never worked in Hungary or have any plans to do so.
Not sure but they gave a really hard time, like I mentioned took over 6 months.
Not sure if it was because of the sort of resident permit I wanted or if they just dropped the ball on me.
I have no idea if having a non HU employer has anything to do with your right to work here or not.

Every case is handled differently that's why only immigration can give you a solid answer, best of luck.

Another thing is although I now have a 10 Permanet resident permit, just below the status of a citizen they do not treat me any better then someone with a temp. permit to stay in many cases.
Ok I was able after a year to pay out of pocket for national health insurance and they did send me a discount card for my district because I am over age 60, they even give me a free ham at Easter time like any older HU citizen BUT they still treat me different when it comes to many things here.
Things that on paper it seems I am "entitled" to get but in reality  they reject me still.
Mostly simple things like senior discounts that everyone gets, my husband doesn't even get many of those discounts as a HU citizen because he doesn't collect any SS from HU.
It's a strange system, can't figure it out.
They give me a free ham but no discount bus pass?

Agree with Marilyn. You should ask during your permit process at the nearest Hungarian Embassy or Consulate. Your paperwork to live in Hungary should be done (or at least started) before you arrive in Hungary. The rules change here all the time.

klsallee wrote:

Agree with Marilyn. You should ask during your permit process at the nearest Hungarian Embassy or Consulate. Your paperwork to live in Hungary should be done (or at least started) before you arrive in Hungary. The rules change here all the time.

Again, it is more then important to get your papers in order before actually going into the HU immigration offices.
I do say allot of negative stuff about the immigration office but in a way some of my issues were our own fault.
My husband thought it was a non issue as we have been married forever, our son is a HU citizen, he is one, I never wanted a thing from Hungary, no job, no welfare no nothing other then to move here with my citizen husband and live in peace.
Well, the fact that I entered HU as a "tourist" status made it hard to get my paperwork done in a quick manner plus they mis filed, misplaced and dragged their feet on me to make a point, no clue about that.
By dragging their feet  it mean they would be all good but then say, we need one more paper. We would get it then it would be but now we need just one more document, went on so long I still do not feel welcome much here, even after more then 8 years. Ready at any time to be tossed out after what we went through here. No one cared and no one helped us with our papers. It was if being the spouse of a HU citizen is nothing much.
They were not racist other then it seemed they were not overly crazy about people from the US coming here, just got that vibe. My parents names were very European so no way on paper they would be against me other then me being from the US. One surname was very German on my mom's side and my father's was a old Slavic name. Just mentioning that as sometimes the news says HU gov. is racist, don't think that is so, more they are against certain countries who might not have supported them etc.

I was even mailed out a letter of deportation from them at our apt. Had to hassle with that and of course pay for the stamps etc.
Very stressful, made those 6 months of living here horrible in many ways.
Never knowing what would happen.
They even had my son's marriage on flie in the computer system at immigration which listed me as his mother, one hand didn't know what the other was doing over there.
In the long run we had to formally marry on paper in Hungary as well as get more documents from the US, papers that anyone could get online but they wanted stamps on them no copies.
If they can do that to the wife of a Hungarian citizen they can do it to the spouse of any EU citizen as well.
We got very paranoid over this issue. My husband was even thinking it was a form of old style punishment against him for leaving HU without permission in his youth. Or that we were older and they didn't want us here, lots of things ran through our minds because at the time it was so bad.
Perhaps they don't want old people returning and using their health system etc. We will never know for sure.( Funny thing is I go to the US now if there is anything serious going on health wise... thankfully we never see doctors in less we really need to.. I swear off of them)
It also matters what sort of permit to stay you are applying for. Short term is probably easier then long term.
We were very close to hiring a lawyer. My HU husband is stubborn though, he was determanded to do it himself as his right. Almost killed us both in the process but in the end it worked out.
Best to have all the info you can before setting foot in HU.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

klsallee wrote:

Agree with Marilyn. You should ask during your permit process at the nearest Hungarian Embassy or Consulate. Your paperwork to live in Hungary should be done (or at least started) before you arrive in Hungary. The rules change here all the time.

Again, it is more then important to get your papers in order before actually going into the HU immigration offices.

Correct.

But, FWIIW, I meant the paperwork should be done on the *Hungarian* side as much as possible before trying to move to Hungary.

It is unlikely one's own paperwork will be fully complete upon going to the local Embassy or Consulate the first time, and one may need to return many times to complete the application. It is rare anyone will get together all their own paperwork fully and complete in just one visit.

Hope this helps.

Yes, I forgot to make it clear, do your immigration paperwork with a Hungarian embassy before entering Hungary to make life easier.