Migration is a natural phenomenon in contemporary economies and in the globalised world. Estimates based on data published by the International Organisation for Migration indicate that there are about 230 million migrants in the world. It was after the democratic transition that immigration became a widespread phenomenon in Hungary; it has been counteracting the gradual decrease of population since then.
If compared to that of other EU Member States, the number of aliens in Hungary is relatively low: according to the data of the Office of Immigration and Nationality, on 31 December 2011, there were approximately 225 000 foreign citizens holding a permit for more than three months of residence residing in Hungary (approximately 2.2% of the total population).
The fact that the majority (more than 80%) of migrants entitled to the right of residence within the territory of Hungary arrived to Hungary from other European countries falls in line with the trend that has been perceptible for several decades now. Most aliens arrive from the following countries of origin (listed in descending order): Romania, Ukraine, Germany, China, Serbia, Slovakia, Austria, Russia, the United States of America and Vietnam. A significant majority of non-European migrants arrive to Hungary from Asia (China and Vietnam). According to the data of the Office of Immigration and Nationality, on 31 December 2011 the number of Chinese citizens and Vietnamese citizens holding residence documents that entitle them for residing in Hungary were 15,095 and 3,517, respectively. It can be seen that the majority of migrants arrive from neighbouring countries; most of them are foreign citizens of Hungarian nationality. A large number of aliens arrive to Hungary to find employment; others seek to pursue their studies or family reunification.
The above data exclude those aliens who come to visit Hungary for a period of less than three months, mainly as tourists.
In conformity with relevant EU regulations, more specifically, with the fact that citizens of the Member States and some other European states and their family members enjoy free movement and residence in the EU, Hungarian regulation on migration categorizes foreign citizens into two major groups: persons entitled to the right of free movement and residence, and third country citizens who are not entitled to the right of free movement and residence. (A third country is a country which is not a Member State of the European Union, nor a country that has concluded an agreement with the EU to grant its citizens the right of free movement, e.g. Switzerland or Norway.) It is mainly on the basis of the length of their residence in Hungary that persons of those two groups have various types of residence documents which entitle them to various rights.
Hungary recognizes and protects the fundamental and inalienable human rights of all aliens residing in its territory (including the right to life and human dignity, the right to freedom and personal safety, the right to property, the right to respect for private and family life, the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, the right to the freedom of expression, the right to assembly and association, and the right to free trial and efficient legal remedy). Further rights and obligations of an alien depend to a large extent on whether he or she has the right to free movement, on which grounds he or she is residing in Hungary and on the length of his or her residence in the country.
In conformity with the principle of equal treatment enshrined in EU law, persons entitled to the right of free movement enjoy almost all rights that Hungarian citizens have. Sectorial legislation that is relevant with regard to everyday life, such as housing, education, childcare and social security, applies not only to Hungarians but to a specified group of migrants as well. As a rule, third county citizens who have long-term residence permits (immigrants and persons established in the territory of the country) have more and wider rights than citizens of third countries who possess short-term residence permits.
As shown by the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX), a comparative international index of legislation and measures that define the legal status of third country citizens and promote their social integration in 2011, Hungary is in the middle of the ranking list of EU states. The Ministry of Interior supports the programs that promote the integration of third-country citizens with funds from the European Integration Fund.
