Hungary Golden Visa in 2026: how to get investment-based residency

Under the Hungary Golden Visa program, investors from non-EU and non-EEA countries can obtain a 10-year residence permit.

There are two options to participate in the program:

• investing €250,000 in a local real estate investment fund;
• donating €1,000,000 to a public trust that supports universities and colleges in Hungary.

The investor receives a 6-month Guest Investor Visa that allows them to spend 90 out of 180 days in the country.

Within 93 calendar days after entering Hungary with a Guest Investor Visa, the applicant must fulfil the investment condition. These two parts make the path to a 10-year residence permit clear.

Before the changes, applying for the Hungary residency by investment was possible after purchasing real estate worth €155,000. Since December 20th, 2023, it has no longer been a viable option.

Hungary is not the only European country that offers investors a chance to obtain residency. Similar routes are available in Latvia, Greece, and Portugal. 

Malta and Cyprus allow obtaining permanent residence bypassing the temporary residence stage.

Investment requirements, application processing timeframes, and permit validity depend on the country offering residency.

Hungarian residence permit offers many advantages, including visa-free travel within the Schengen Area, access to high-quality healthcare, and path towards citizenship.

1. Travel freedom

Hungarian residents may spend up to 90 days within any 180-day period in the 29 Schengen Area states.

Hungary is located in Central Europe, which simplifies travel: one can reach many European countries by car in a few hours. The Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport serves around 150 non-stop destinations across 49 countries.

2. Opportunity to live, work and study in the European Union

Obtaining a residence permit in Hungary will allow applicants to stay in the country for an indefinite amount of time. Holders of Hungary residence permits can get a job or start a business in the country, while their children can attend schools or enrol in local universities without an additional student visa.

3. No minimum stay requirement

The Golden Visa holders are not obliged to continuously live in Hungary or even visit the country to maintain and renew their residency status.

The stay requirements arise only if the person plans to obtain permanent residency or citizenship. 

4. Fast and easy application process

Obtaining residency takes about 5 months, including the time to get a Guest Investor Visa, investing, and receiving a permit. Immigrant Invest accompanies applicants throughout the entire process.

Investors are not required to confirm even basic knowledge of the Hungarian language.

5. No capital risk

The investment condition can be fulfilled after the applicant receives the Guest Investor Visa. The Migration Office performs a Due Diligence check before issuing this Visa. Once an investor has passed this check, the likelihood of their residence permit being refused is very low, which means the investment is unlikely to be at risk.

6. Residency for the whole family

An investor can include close family members in the residency application: a spouse or registered partner, children under 18, and parents. Family members are granted 10-year residence permits and receive the same benefits as the main applicant.

7. Access to EU high-quality healthcare

Residents can access medical care both in Hungary and across Europe. In Hungary, they can use public healthcare services and may also choose from a broad range of private clinics. 

In addition, Hungarian residents are eligible for the European Health Insurance Card, which allows them to receive necessary medical treatment during temporary stays in other EU and EEA countries.

8. Low taxes

Hungary has one of the lowest tax rates in the European Union. Personal income tax is set at 15%. By contrast, the highest top personal income tax rates in the EU reach around 55.9% in Denmark, while France applies top rates of approximately 55.4% and Austria applies a top rate of 55%[1].

Corporate tax is even more competitive at 9%, which is the lowest statutory rate in the EU[2].

9. Path towards citizenship

Foreigners can obtain permanent residency in Hungary after three years of legally residing in the country. Eight years of living in Hungary with a permanent residence permit and a registered address leads to becoming eligible for Hungary citizenship by naturalisation.

The Hungarian passport provides visa-free access to 170+ destinations and allows its holder to live, work, and study anywhere in the EU without restrictions.

To make the first step towards becoming a Hungary resident and obtain the Guest Investor Visa, the applicant must:

• be over 18;
• come from a non-EU and non-EEA country;
• have a valid passport, the documents for a return trip or a transit, and financial means to cover the costs of food, accommodation and travel during the entire period of stay;
• justify the purpose of the entry and stay in Hungary;
• be insured for the full range of medical services or able to cover the costs of medical care;
• not be subject to expulsion or prohibition of entry and residence, or not threaten state policy, public safety, national security or health interests of Hungary; 
• also not be subject to a Schengen Information System alert.

US citizens are eligible only if they hold the citizenship of another country in addition to their American one.

The Guest Investor Visa is issued to foreigners whose entry is in the national economic interest due to their investment in Hungary.

If the investor’s country of citizenship has a visa-waiver agreement with Hungary, obtaining a Guest Investor Visa can be omitted.

According to the Golden Visa terms, there are two investment options for foreigners who want to become Hungary residents:

• €250,000 as a contribution to a local real estate investment fund;
• €1,000,000 as a charitable donation to a higher education institution in Hungary.

Purchase of fund units

Two real estate investment funds accredited for Hungary’s Golden Visa programme are currently available to investors: the Gravitas Hungary Real Estate Fund and the SPRINT Hungary Real Estate Development and Investment Fund.

The Gravitas Hungary fund is part of the long-established Gránit financial group. Its strategy centres on long-term investments in residential property across Hungary, focusing on modern, newly built homes that are acquired and rented out on a long-term basis. 

The fund offers an expected annual return of 5—6% and a minimum investment period of 5 years, with the option to extend.

The SPRINT fund is a closed private fund with a broader investment approach. It allocates capital to residential real estate, logistics facilities, hotels and office buildings in Hungary, while also using debt instruments, government bonds and derivatives to safeguard capital and enhance performance.

The expenses on the Hungary Golden Visa with purchasing fund units are the following:

• €250,000+ to purchase shares;
• €20,000 is an administrative fee for the main applicant;
• €1,000 is an administrative fee per dependent included in the application;
• €8,700 is a fee for managing a brokerage account for 5 years.

Donating to a higher education institution

Donating to a higher education institution requires making sure the institution is operated by a trust foundation that serves the public interest and performs public tasks. Contributions aid in supporting education, scientific research, as well as artistic and creative endeavors.

Housing expenses

In addition to the investment, applicants must rent or buy housing in Hungary to ensure a registered address required for residency. For example, renting an apartment with one bedroom in the centre of Budapest costs €680 per month. The average price per square metre is €3,700, depending on the location[3].

Applicants for the Hungary Golden Visa must prepare a set of personal and financial documents to prove their identity, good character and ability to make the required investment.

For the main applicant

The typical document package includes:

• completed application form;
• copy of a valid passport; it must contain at least two blank pages and be issued within the previous 10 years;
• proof of a clean criminal record issued by the applicant’s country of citizenship and residence;
• evidence of sufficient financial means to make the qualifying investment and their source;
• written confirmation of the intention to fulfil investment requirements;
• proof of accommodation in Hungary, such as a rental agreement or ownership document;
• health insurance;
• recent passport-size photos.

For family members

Family members must submit the following:

• copies of passports; 
• passport-size photos;
• health insurance;
• confirmation of their relationship to the main applicant, such as a marriage certificate for a spouse, birth certificates for children, and proof of dependency for parents.

The Hungarian Golden Visa leads to permanent residence and, eventually, citizenship. To qualify for both statuses, investors must reside in the country on a continuous basis.

Permanent residence

Investors may apply for permanent residence after 3 years, provided they have spent more than 183 days per year in Hungary.

Permanent residence is granted for an indefinite period, although the residence card must be renewed every 5 years. 

A person may not leave Hungary for more than 6 consecutive months; otherwise, their permanent residence may be revoked.

Citizenship

Investors can obtain Hungarian citizenship by naturalisation. They must live in the country for at least 8 years after receiving permanent residence. With 3 years required for obtaining permanent residence, this sums up to 11 years of living in Hungary in total[4].

Applicants must also pass a Hungarian language exam demonstrating basic conversational ability, have no criminal convictions and meet all tax obligations.

Hungary allows dual citizenship, so applicants are not required to renounce their existing nationality, provided their country of origin also permits dual citizenship.

Hungary offers more than 20 paths to residency, with employment, study, and family reunification being the most common ones. Besides, there are specific terms for people willing to do business in Hungary or work remotely from the country.

Entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals can receive a residence permit for a maximum term of 3 years, which can be extended by the same period.

For digital nomads , the residence permit is issued for one year. They must be able to prove a monthly income of at least €3,000.

There is no minimum stay requirement for the Hungary Golden Visa, which means there are also no requirements for the investors to become tax residents in the country.

To become a Hungarian tax resident, you must spend at least 183 days a year in the country. Residents pay taxes on all of their worldwide income; non-residents are only taxed on the income they receive in Hungary.

Tax rates for individuals are the following in Hungary:

• income tax — 15%;
• capital gains tax — 15%;
• withholding tax on dividends, interest and royalties — 15%;
• social security contributions — 18.5%;
• inheritance and gift taxes — 18% is the standard rate, 9% is for residential properties;
• VAT — 27% is the standard rate, 18% and 5% are charged on some goods and services.

Relocating to Hungary might be beneficial for many reasons, such as low cost of living, safe environment, and rich nature.

1. Central location

Hungary is situated in the middle of Europe, making it very easy and convenient for locals to travel around the continent. In addition, the country is also an attractive tourist destination thanks to its unofficial status as the spa capital of Europe.

2. Attractive real estate market

Hungary’s real estate market offers a wide range of opportunities, from historic apartments in Budapest to modern developments and family homes. 

In early 2025, the average price per square metre of second-hand dwellings in Budapest reached about €2,980[5], showing strong demand and around 22% annual growth[6]. Rental demand is also high, with the gross rental yield of approximately 5.09% per year[7]. 

Despite rising prices, Hungary remains more affordable than many Western European markets, creating attractive conditions for both living and investment.

3. Affordable living

The cost of living in Hungary is estimated to be two times lower than in Denmark or Norway and almost 40% lower than in Malta and Italy, other countries with residency programs for foreign investors.

In Hungary, around €1,000—1,200 per month including rent may be enough for one person, and about €3,200—3,300 per month for a family of four[8].

4. Safety

Hungary ranks among the 20 safest countries in the world[9], placing higher than many Western European states. The country has low levels of violent crime, stable political conditions and effective law enforcement, which together contribute to a strong sense of security for residents.

For context, Norway, Sweden, Spain and Italy all appear below Hungary in the Global Peace Index rankings.

5. Beautiful nature and rich cultural heritage

The country boasts a range of picturesque landscapes, from Budapest’s urban beauty to the countryside’s tranquillity, including Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe, and numerous national parks.

Hungarian cultural heritage uniquely blends Eastern and Western influences, showcasing diverse architecture, vibrant folk traditions like the "csárdás" dance, the distinct Hungarian language, famous thermal baths, and cuisine with abundant paprika-flavoured dishes.

Hungary is one of the cheapest European Union countries to live in. An average family of four spends €2,350 per month without rent[10].

Hungary is relatively affordable compared to other European states, making it a desirable option for families who want to settle down in a safe haven. The average expenses for a family of four in Hungary are the following:

• a rent fee for a three-bedroom apartment per month — around €700 to 830;
• utilities per month — €135;
• home Internet per month — €19;
• groceries per month — €650;
• a monthly ticket for local transport — €25;
• gas, 1 litre — €1.50;
• kindergarten per month — €330;
• international primary school — €9,300 per year.

1. The Hungary Golden Visa was relaunched in 2024. Investors can obtain 10-year resident permits but are not required to spend any period in the country.
2. Applicants first receive a Guest Investor Visa that allows them to spend 90 days out of 180 in Hungary. Only after that, they need to fulfil the investment condition.
3. Minimum investment to participate in the Hungary residency by investment program is €250,000 into a local real estate investment fund.
4. Another investment option is donating €1,000,000 to a public trust that supports Hungarian universities and colleges.
5. The Hungary Golden Visa is valid for 10 years, subject to one extending for another 10 years.

1. Source: Tax Foundation Europe: top personal income tax rates in Europe in 2025
2. Source: Tax Foundation Europe: corporate income tax rates in Europe in 2025
3. Source: According to the Numbeo database
4. Source: Act LV of 1993 on Hungarian citizenship
5. Source: According to the Global Property Guide
6. Source: Official data from the Magyar Nemzeti Bank
7. Source: According to the Global Property Guide
8. Source: According to the Numbeo database
9. Source: Data from the Global Peace Index 2025
10. Source: According to the Numbeo database