Hungary Golden Visa: how can you get a Hungarian investment residency?

The Hungary Golden Visa program was launched in July, 2024, as ruled by the Hungarian National Assembly.

If you’re from outside the EU or EEA, you can lock in a 10-year Hungarian residence permit through this investment program.

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.

You’ll first get a 6-month Guest Investor Visa, letting you stay in Hungary for up to 90 days within a 180-day window.

Once you arrive, you’ll have 93 days to complete your investment — this step, combined with your initial visa, sets you firmly on the path to securing a 10-year residence permit.

Previously, you could apply for Hungarian residency by buying real estate worth €155,000. But as of December 20th, 2023, that route is off the table.

Hungary isn’t alone — Portugal, Malta, Cyprus, and Greece also offer residency opportunities for investors like you.

1. Travel freedom. With your Hungarian residence permit, you can travel visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area. Weekend in Paris or a business trip to Berlin? You’re covered.

2. Opportunity to live, work and study in the EU. Your Hungarian residency gives you the right to settle down long-term. You can launch a business, get a job, or simply enjoy life in Hungary. Plus, your children can attend local schools and universities without the extra student visa needed.

3. No minimum stay requirement. Unlike many other programs, you’re not required to spend any time in Hungary after receiving your 10-year residence permit. That means total flexibility, without jeopardising future renewals.

4. Fast application process. Obtaining residency takes about 5 months, including the time to get a Guest Investor Visa, investing, and receiving a permit.

5. No capital risk. You don’t need to commit your investment until after you receive the Guest Investor Visa. That means less upfront risk and more confidence in the process.

6. Residency for the whole family. Your spouse, kids under 25, and even your parents can all join you under one application. It’s truly a family-friendly program.

7. No language tests. Don’t worry about taking a language test. Hungary doesn’t require you to speak Hungarian to qualify.

8. Open to all nationalities. Almost anyone outside the EU and EEA can apply. One note: US citizens will need dual citizenship to buy into the approved investment funds.

9. Path towards citizenship. You could become a permanent resident after just 3 years of living in Hungary, and potentially apply for citizenship after 8 more years. 

Before you can secure your long-term Hungarian residency, your first step is obtaining the Guest Investor Visa. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 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.

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

If you’re from a country with a visa-waiver agreement with Hungary, you might be able to skip this step entirely and go straight to the next phase of the process.

According to the Golden Visa terms, Hungary’s program offers two ways for you to invest in your future:

• €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.

Purchasing fund units. The real estate fund must get accredited by the government to qualify for the Golden Visa. 

The first accredited fund is SPRINT, a private closed-end fund whose main objective is to increase capital through the growth in property value and regular income generation.

The fund’s primary investment targets include residential real estate, logistic complexes, hotels, and offices. Most of these are located in Hungary. Other tools include debt securities, government bonds, collective investment schemes, and derivatives for capital protection and yield generation. 

The second fund is the Gravitas Hungary Fund, which is a part of the Gránit group, one of Hungary’s oldest financial institutions. The fund’s strategy focuses on long-term investments in Hungarian residential real estate. It plans to primarily purchase new, modern properties that will be leased long-term. 

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

• €250,000+ to purchase shares;

• €65,000 is an administrative fee that covers a family of up to four members, including the spouse and children under 18;

• €10,000 is an administrative fee per dependent, starting with the 5th applicant;

• €15,000 is an administrative fee per child over 18;

• €4,100—5,000 is a subscription fee;

• 2.5—4% per year is a management fee.

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. Regardless of the investment route, you must rent or buy property in Hungary to register a residential address—a requirement for your residency status. For example, renting an apartment with one bedroom in the centre of Budapest costs €600 per month. The average price per square metre is €3,700.

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.

1. Location. Hungary’s central location makes it incredibly easy to explore the rest of Europe. Weekend trips to Vienna, Prague, or even Rome? Totally doable. Plus, Hungary holds a special charm of its own. It’s known as the spa capital of Europe, thanks to its abundance of natural thermal baths.

2. Access to healthcare and education systems. With a Hungarian residence permit, your kids can enroll in both public and private schools. And when it comes to healthcare, the whole family has access to quality medical treatment right in the country.

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.

4. Safety. According to the Global Peace Index, Hungary ranks among the 20 safest countries in the world. For context, Norway, Sweden, Spain and Italy are among many countries below Hungary in these 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.

You’ll also experience a rich cultural mix of East and West:, 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. According to Numbeo, an average family of four spends €2,264 per month without rent.

Looking to settle your family somewhere safe and budget-friendly? Hungary could be just the spot. It’s more affordable than many other European countries. Here’s what a typical month looks like for a family of four:

• a rent fee for a three-bedroom apartment per month — €740;

• utilities per month — €135;

• home Internet per month — €15;

• groceries per month — €650;

• a monthly ticket for local transport — €25;

• gas, 1 litre — €1.50;

• kindergarten per month — €300;

• international primary school — €9,200 per year.

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:

• an income tax — 15%;

• a capital gains tax — 15%;

• a 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.

1. The Hungary Golden Visa program was relaunched in 2024. You can obtain 10-year resident permits but are not required to spend any period in the country.

2. The 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. The minimum investment to participate in the 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.