Buying fund units in Hungary as a way to travel within the Schengen Area

Aidan is an entrepreneur from South Africa, currently living in Dubai, where he owns a successful company. He often travels to Europe for business and holidays with his family. 

Aidan’s South African passport did not grant him visa-free access to the Schengen Area, the region he visits most frequently. As a result, he had to apply for Schengen visas regularly, a process that was both time-consuming and stressful. The constant fear of refusal only made things worse.

In summer 2024, the Schengen visa application process took longer than usual. Aidan waited 3 weeks for his visa, instead of the standard 15 days. With a paid flight from Dubai to Lisbon already booked, he feared he would have to cancel the trip. Although the visa was eventually approved, the long wait left Aidan anxious and frustrated.

While in Portugal, Aidan spoke to a friend about his experience. The friend immediately suggested a more permanent solution — obtaining European residency.

Aidan,

Holder of the Hungary Golden Visa

I used to believe that obtaining a residence permit in Europe meant you had to live there full-time. But then a friend told me about Golden Visas, which doesn’t require permanent residence. It offers visa-free access to the Schengen Area while allowing you to maintain your life elsewhere.

Since I could not leave Dubai for good, it sounded like the perfect solution to my visa troubles.

When Aidan spoke to his friend again, he was advised to seek help from a firm specialising in residence by investment. His friend also mentioned that several people he knew had successfully obtained their European Golden Visas with the help of Immigrant Invest.

Trusting his friend’s recommendation, Aidan reached out to Immigrant Invest to learn more.

During his consultation with Immigrant Invest, Aidan explained that his main goal was to obtain residency in a Schengen country to enable visa-free travel across the region. An expert presented him with several residency by investment options, including in Portugal, Greece, Italy, and Malta, and explained the procedures for each in detail.

The Hungary Golden Visa stood out for two main reasons:

1. Hungarian residence permit is valid for 10 years, compared to just 2 years in Portugal and Italy, and 5 years in Greece.

2. Unlike Malta, Hungary does not require proof of over €500,000 in capital held in a bank account; making investment is enough.

These advantages made the decision clear. Aidan chose the Hungary Golden Visa and moved forward with Immigrant Invest to manage the process. He included his wife and two sons in the application.

If you’re an investor seeking easier travel and new opportunities for you and your family, the Hungary Golden Visa might be a perfect fit for you too.

Investment options. The Hungary Golden Visa offers two investment options: purchase of investment fund units for €250,000+ and donation to an institution of higher learning for €1,000,000+.

To be eligible, investors must meet the following requirements:

• be over 18;

• hold citizenship from a non-EU and non-EEA country;

• have no criminal record;

• show a legitimate source of income;

• rent or buy a residential property in Hungary;

• obtain health insurance;

• if US citizens, hold an additional passport from another country.

Family members can be included in the application. Eligible relatives:

• spouses and registered partners;

• minor children;

• parents, if they are financially dependent and rely solely on a pension.

Family members who are US citizens must also hold another country’s passport.

Aidan met all the eligibility criteria. He chose to invest €250,000 in Hungarian fund units, the more affordable option compared to the €1,000,000 donation route.

The fund eligible for the Hungary Golden Visa must be listed among qualified market operators recognised by the Constitution Protection Office. At least 40% of the fund’s assets must be invested in residential real estate in Hungary. The fund units must be held for at least 5 years.

With help from Immigrant Invest’s legal team, Aidan chose the Gravitas Hungary Real Estate Fund, an open-end fund managed by Gránit Alapkezelő. The company buys new, modern residential properties and rents them out long term.

In addition to the investment amount, Aidan paid several fees.

Expenses on investing in fund units were €329,100, of which:

• investment fund units price — €250,000;

• administrative fee — €65,000;

• securities account opening fee — €4,100;

• annual maintenance fee of 4% — €10,000.

To be eligible for the Golden Visa, Aidan needed to have a registered address in Hungary. Since he did not plan to live there permanently, he chose to rent a property rather than buy one.

An Immigrant Invest representative presented Aidan with several rental options, sharing photos and videos to help him choose remotely. He selected a two-bedroom apartment in Budapest, renting it for €860 per month.

Immigrant Invest’s legal team conducted all necessary checks on the property and its ownership, then signed the lease agreement on Aidan’s behalf.

Examples of real estate in Budapest

Hungary, Budapest

€642,000+

Classic three-bedroom apartment, Ujbuda, Budapest

150 m²

3

3

Hungary, Budapest

€593,000 — €946,000

Stylish apartments with city view, First District, Budapest

75 m² — 107 m²

2—3

2—3

Hungary, Budapest

€552,000 — €581,000

Elegant apartments with 4 bedrooms, Eleventh District, Budapest

103 m² — 124 m²

4

4

With Hungary Golden Visas, Aidan and his family can travel freely within the Schengen Area. They have already visited Hungary to explore the country and spend time in their rented apartment.

At the end of summer or the beginning of autumn, the family plans to take a long road trip across several European countries. Thanks to their Hungarian residence permits, they no longer need to prepare documents or apply for visas in advance. They can simply book tickets and go whenever they choose.

You too can unlock this freedom. Whether for business, travel, or family adventures, the Hungary Golden Visa can transform the way you move.