Hungary Guest Investor Visa
The Best European GIP Residency Program.
€250,000 onwards
Hungary Golden Visa
The Hungarian Guest Investor program (GIP) offers non-EU nationals, fast-track long term residence status in Hungary, who buy 250,000 euro in Real estate investment fund. No requirement to live in Hungary. Family and children also get immediate guest residence status. Guest investor residence permit issued for 10+10 years.
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Key Benefits
- Best European Golden Visa Program
- Residence permit issued for 20 years
- Recoverable Investment after 5 years.
- No minimum residence requirement.
- Fast processing in Hungary (just 3 months)
- No language tests., medical tests, education or business experience.
- Low cost of living in Central Europe.
- Visa free movement in Schengen countries.
- Live, study and work in Hungary
- Risk free investment in Euros
- Open to all country nationals.
- Hungarian PR after 3 years of living.
- Hungarian citizenship after 8 years.
Hungary Guest Investor Program
GIP Officially Open for Applications
Hungary Guest investor program was officially launched on Jan 1, 2024, permitting third country nationals to invest in property market for long term residence permit in Hungary. First Applications can be filed starting from July 1, 2024.
Legal Basis
The President of Hungary has signed the T/6097 decree on Guest investor visa (“vendégbefektető vizum”) and now has been published in official gazette on 21.12.2023 officially becoming a law, thus officially opening the Hungarian golden visa program for in Hungary based on law on entry and residence of third country nationals.
Guest Investor Visa
The Guest investor visa is a long stay D visa, issued to third-country citizen whose entry and stay is of national economic interest for his/her investments in Hungary. The maximum visa validity is 6 months. Applications must be be submitted in Hungarian embassy abroad outside Hungary.
Guest Investor Permit
A Guest investor permit is a type of residence permit issued for guest investors, granted to a third-country national whose entry and stay in Hungary is in national economic interest due to his/her investments realised in Hungary. Applications only be submitted in Hungary and its validity is 10 years.
Download Brochure
Brochure on Hungary Guest Investor Program. Free Download (PDF)
Exclusive Benefits
Hungary Golden Visa Program
Fast Processing
The Immigration office processes applications in just 90 days
Residence Permit
Residence permit issued for 20 years (10+10).
Visa Free Schengen
Travel freely within schengen area for upto 90 days in 6 month period.
No Residency
No minimum residency requirements
Work Permit
Investor and family members are allowed to work in Hungary.
Citizenship
Apply for Hungarian citizenship after 8 years of living.
Eligible Investments
The following two eligible Investment options available for Hungary Golden Investors
Public Donation
€1 million
One time Contribution to Universities and Educational institutions in Hungary
Real Estate Fund
€ 250,000
Real Estate Investment fund (Recoverable capital with 2-5% p.a returns – not guaranteed )
Investment Routes
National Economic Interest
Hungary has approved two investment pathways for Guest investors granting residence status on national economic interest:
- Real Estate Investment Fund – Acquisition of an investment fund share of at least EUR 250 000 issued by a real estate fund registered by the Hungarian National Bank,
- Financial Donations – A Lump financial donation in an amount of at least EUR 1 000 000 and for a purpose of educational, scientific research or artistic creation activities, to a higher education institution maintained by a public trust with a public-service mission.
Eligible Golden Visa Funds
Two real estate funds currently approved by Hungary immigration office.
1. Sprint Fund
- Minimum Subscription: EUR 250,000
- Guest Investor Visa Eligible
- Government Approved Fund
- Management of AIFM (Alternative Investment Funds), including all operations and activities related to Real-Estate Investment Funds
- Returns Available (not guaranteed)
- Locked for 5 year term
2. Gravitas Fund
- Minimum Subscription: EUR 250,000
- Guest Investor Visa Eligible
- Government Approved Fund
- Invests in Residential and commercial properties.
- Returns Available (not guaranteed)
- Locked for 5 year term.
New Updates
The Hungarian government has made several changes to Guest investor program legislation.
- The Real estate €500,000 property ownership option was terminated on January 15, 2025.
- Hungarian Government approved Granitas as second fund eligible for GIP program .
- The Fund share certificate must have a 5-year maturity period
- Guest Investors must lease or buy a property under new amended rules.
- Nationals of Russia and Belarus are not permitted to apply due to international sanctions.
- Guest investor visa issued for maximum 6 months. You must complete the investment within 90 days after entering Hungary.
- Fund managers must allocate 40% of portfolio in residential real estate.
- If application is refused you can appeal within 8 days or submit new application.
- Guest investors are entitled to work without restrictions – such as undertaking employment or business.
- Family members can file residence permit application in parallel or later along with main applicant for family reunification.
- Fund returns must not be guaranteed as per GIP rules.
Why Hungary
Hungary is central hub in Eastern Europe. is EU member state and participates in schengen area
- Peaceful country scoring high for safety.
- Stable political climate and strong currency
- Excellent transport networks road, air and train
- High standard of living.
- Low cost of living in Europe.
- Modern infrastructure for IT and Tech companies.
- World Class healthcare services.
- Subsidized education for your children.
- Low corporate tax 9%, lowest in the EU.
- High Demand Property market for rental returns.
- Attractive country for expats and pensioners.
- Business friendly with fast company. incorporation process
- Access to single EU market
- Attracts Startups, Entrepreneurs and Nomads
- Top European Residence program for HNWIs.
- Path to Hungary citizenship by investment.
Real Estate is Closed
The Property ownership route was terminated by the Hungarian government effective Jan 1, 2025 to protect the real estate market from overvaluation and housing crisis. The amendments to the Guest investor law was published in National Gazette No. 131.
No applications are currently accepted for Guest investor program. You are only allowed to invest in real estate investment funds.
Fee and Costs
The Fee structure for Real estate investment fund (charged by fund manager) is shown below..
- RE Investment Fund – EUR 250,000
Additional Fees
- Government and Administrative fee
- Securities account opening fee.
- Due diligence fee
- Legal / Lawyer Fee
- Subscription/Setup fee.
- Residence permit fees.
Processing Times
Hungary has the fastest golden visa processing timelines in the world. Applications filed from
- Within Hungary – 3 months
- Outside Hungary – 6 months.
Accelerated processing is possible if you already hold a valid schengen visa or a second passport having visa free access to Hungary (eg. US, UK, Singapore passports)
How to Apply
Step by step application process are shown below..
- Initial Consultation
- Document Preparation.
- KYC/Due diligence checks
- Entry visa application.
- Open bank account in Hungary.
- Transfer investment within 90 days after entry visa issued.
- File for Residence permit application (personally in Hungary and record biometrics)
- Collect Residence cards.
Basic Eligibility
- Over 18 years of age
- Clean criminal record
- Non-EU/EEA/Swiss national
- Valid health insurance.
- Prove you have atleast €250,000 in bank account or in liquid assets.
- No prior visa refusal from Schengen states.
- Make a qualifying fund or public donation investment.
U.S Investors
US citizens applying for Hungary residency by investing has surged in recent years. Hungary golden visa program remains super attractive for US investors compared to Portugal, Greece and Bulgaria.
- Super fast processing times. No need to wait for years unlike Portugal, Greece.
- English widely spoken.
- Lowest Taxes in Europe.
- Low cost of living with high quality of life.
- Strategic location geographic proximity to North America.
- Low Property prices compared to Western Europe.
- Easy to do business via Hungary.
- Retirement destination.
- Wealth diversification and Asset protection.
Family Members
Hungary permits the following categories of family members under family unification.
- Spouse
- Children under 18.
- Dependent Parents
- Children above 18 (additional fee apply)
Permanent Residency
Hungary grants PR status relatively fast in Europe. Golden visa holders can apply for settlement or PR status in Hungary
- National residence card (10 years) – After 3 years of living without interruption
- Interim Residence Card (5 years)
- EC permanent residence (10 years indefinite) – After 5 years of continuous living without absence.
Applications for a national residence card or an EU residence card submitted after 1 January 2025, are required to pass Hungarian cultural knowledge exam.
Banned Countries
The following nationals of these countries cannot apply for Hungary guest investor program due to program restrictions and international sanctions.
- Russia
- Belarus
Note: EU/EEA citizens are ineligible for Visas.
Required Documents
The following are summary of list of documents required for golden visa.
1. General documents
- Full copy of a valid passport
- proof of bank account balance to cover travel expenses
- declaration on voluntary departure in case a decision of refusal is made
- in the case of a legal representative, a power of attorney issued under the name of the legal representative
2. Documents proving the purpose of residence
- a certificate of the purchase of the investment fund share from the real estate fund manager registered by the Hungarian National Bank or from the distributor of the investment fund share of EUR 250 000 issued under the name of the third-country national
Or
a certificate of an institution of higher education maintained by a public trust foundation with a public-service mission that the higher education institution has received a grant of at least EUR 1 000 000 from the third-country national to support the educational, scientific research or artistic creation of the third-country national
3. Documents proving your means of subsistence
certificate issued by a financial institution regarding a bank account managed in Hungary or abroad
4. Documents proving the accommodation
- residential lease contract
- a document proving ownership of the apartment
5. Documents proving the completeness of health care
- a business health insurance policy entitling you to full health cover and proof of payment of the insurance premium
Application Timeline
- Initial stage
- Due diligence/background check
- Document collection
- Application package preparation
- Payment of the Professional and Legal fees
- Timeframe: depends on client
- Entry visa application
- Appointment request
- Personal visit to the Hungarian Consulate
- Approximate time to receive the visa: a month.
- Investment (starting also with the Initial stage)
- Document collection
- Account opening by the financial institution
- Signing of the custody agreement during the personal visit to Hungary.
- Transferring the €250,000 fund investment, the custody account opening fee of €2,000 and the 5-year custody account maintenance fee of €2,300 to the fund distributor
- Approximate time for the account opening process: max. 2 months. Client has 90 days for executing the investment after the entry visa is issued (if coming from a visa-required country) or from the entry to Hungary (if coming from a non-visa country).
- Residence permit application
- Applying for the residence permit either in person, or electronically (in this case client needs to come personally for the biometrics within 15 days after submission)
- Approval and issue of the residence permit
- Approximate time for the delivery of the residency card: 3 months.
- Family reunification (after the main applicant receives the residency permit)
- Appointment request at the consulate
- Family members apply personally at the consulate for family reunification permit
- Approval and issue of the residence permit
- Residence permit card should be received by applicant(s) in Budapest personally.
Hungary Immigration Office
The National Directorate General for Aliens policing (NDGAP) is the sole immigration authority responsible for processing applications, recording biometrics, taking decisions on visa and residence permit applications submitted by third country nationals related to Guest Investor program.
Applications for residence permit must be filed via Enter Hungary digital platform.
Guest Investor Application Form
The Application form and Appendix for Guest Investor Program can be downloaded below in PDF format
Alternative Investment Funds
Special Conditions
The Guest Investor program has specific regulations concerning fund manager and
1. Real Estate Fund
The Hungarian government has certain conditions to qualify as real estate fund and fund manager under Guest investor program rules..
Fund Shares
- share issued by a real estate fund for at least five years,
- at least 40% of the net asset value of whose investments is in residential real estate in Hungary
2. Fund Manager
The real estate fund manager is listed in the register of qualified market operators under Act XXX of 2016 on the Procurement for Defence and Security Purposes (hereinafter: “Vbt.”).
must qualify as an alternative investment fund manager and must be authorized to manage an alternative investment fund (AIF) in which the value of the managed assets exceeds a threshold of EUR 100 million in total (including assets created through leverage), or exceeds a threshold of EUR 500 million in total, where the portfolios of AIF comprises of AIFs which are not financed through leverage and in whose cases no redemption rights shall be exercised within five years of the date of the original investment into the various AIFs.
Fund managers shall act who, qualifying as an investment fund manager under Act XVI of 2014 on Collective Investment Trusts and Their Managers, and on the Amendment of Financial Regulations (“Kbftv.”/CITA), manage a real estate fund in which the value of assets under management exceeds a threshold of EUR 600 million in total.
Hungary Citizenship
Golden visa holders can naturalize for Hungarian citizenship under these conditions.
- after 8 years of uninterrupted residence.
- have no criminal record past at all,
- have a stable livelihood,
- are of good character,
- pass a test in basic constitutional studies.
- pass Hungarian language test
Hungary Passport
The Hungarian passport is a well respected international travel document issued to citizens of Hungary. Hungarian citizens are also EU citizens.
- Ranked – 7th
- Visa free – 185 countries
- Type: EU Passport
Some of the important countries include..
- United States (ETA)
- United Kingdom (ETA)
- China
- Russia
- Canada (ETA)
- European Union (Freedom of movement)
Hungary Taxes
Hungary is one of the lowest tax countries in Eastern Europe. Non-residents are taxed only on Hungarian-source income, while residents are taxed on their worldwide income.
- 15% Personal income tax (PIT)
- 9% Corporate tax
- 4% Real estate transfers.
- VAT 27%
- No Wealth and Withholding tax.
Hungary Residency Bonds
The Hungarian Residency bond program, popularly known as golden visa scheme was first launched on 1 January 2013 against the purchase of national government bonds for EUR 250,000 and was later closed in 31 March 2017. The Bond scheme raised EUR 1.4 billion euros and 3,649 temporary residence permits were approved under the scheme.
Hungary restarted the Guest investor program in July 2024 issuing visas linked to real estate fund and public donation. The bond option is closed for investors.
Cultural Knowledge Exam
As of 2025, Hungarian government requires taking cultural knowledge test for all permanent residency application permits.
Guest investor visa applicants fully exempted from Cultural test.