Author
There is no mechanism for the dispersal of asylum seekers across the territory of the country, however there are only two reception centres for applicants who are not UaSCs, both in towns close to the Slovakian border. Between March 2017 and 21 May 2020, asylum seekers were primarily held in the transit zones and those who had been exceptionally released from there were placed in open reception centres. At the end of 2023, only 2 asylum seekers were accommodated in Balassagyarmat (Vámosszabadi was empty).[1] At the end of 2024, 4 asylum seekers were accommodated in Balassagyarmat (Vámosszabadi was empty).[2] At the end of 2025, 14 asylum seekers were accommodated in Balassagyarmat (Vámosszabadi was empty).[3]
The EUAA reported that Hungary is among the EU Member States that resorted to allocation of asylum applicants according to the procedure they are in. Accordingly, ‘[A]s a general rule, recognised persons and applicants are accommodated in the reception centre, and those under aliens’ proceedings are placed in the community shelter. If necessary, this allocation can be changed, and the profile of the applicant is also taken into account.’[4]
Asylum seekers who are not detained can move freely within the country but may only leave the reception centre where they are accommodated for less than 24 hours unless they notify the authorities in writing about their intention to leave the facility for more than that. In this case, the NDGAP upon the request issues the permission for the asylum seekers. HHC is not aware of any relevant complaints from 2021 – 2025.
Asylum authority might permit asylum seekers to reside at private accommodation upon their request.[5]
The only family arriving as a result of the ‘Embassy procedure‘ to Hungary on 1 December 2020 was placed in Vámosszabadi and was quarantined for 10 days. In April and September 2021, altogether 2 Iranian asylum seeker families (8 persons) arrived to Hungary via the Embassy Procedure. At first, they were quarantined in the transit zone and subsequently one family was placed in Vámosszabadi, whereas the other family was accommodated in Balassagyarmat. No one arrived via Embassy procedure in 2022, 2023, 2024, or in 2025.
Due to the fact that people who are under compulsory place of stay can actually apply for asylum, there are currently some asylum seekers, who live at a private address, but their freedom of movement is restricted (e.g., they can leave the house between 8-11 am). Persons who are under immigration procedure and got compulsory placement of stay in Balassagyarmat can also apply for asylum and their freedom of movement is also restricted.
[1] Information provided by the NDGAP on 19 February 2024.
[2] Information provided by the NDGAP on 20 February 2025.
[3] Information provided by the NDGAP on 9 March 2026.
[4] EUAA, Overview of the organisation of reception systems in EU+ countries, Situational Update Issue No 8, 13 January 2022, here, 14.
[5] Section 48 Asylum Act.