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 launched on Jan 1, 2024 becoming golden visa program officially open for investing in property market in Hungary. First Applications can be filed from July 1, 2024.
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.
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
As per Hungary Guest Investor legislation, the property ownership route is closed for golden visa 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.
American 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.
Guest Investor Application Form
The Application form and Appendix for Guest Investor Program can be downloaded below in PDF format
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.
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.
FAQs
Can i buy property in Hungary?
Hungary has closed property route to Golden visa investors. You are allowed to buy property after you receive guest investor permit.
How to get permanent residency in Hungary?
It is possible to apply for PR card after 3 years of continuous living in Hungary. There is a language test.
What are the fees and costs?
Additional fees apply (legal costs, bank account fee, fund subscription fee, agency fee etc..). Please contact us for more details
Can i work and study in Hungary?
Under Guest investor permit, main applicant (above 18) and family members are allowed to work and study in Hungary. A separate work permit required to work in other EU countries.
Do i need to rent accomodation?
For Guest investor permit, a valid place of accomodation must be registered (rent or buy property).
How to i get Hungarian citizenship?
The Guest investor program provides pathway to hungarian citizenship after 8 years of living in Hungary. There is also hungarian language and civic test.
Can i invest in residency bonds?
This route is closed – not available in the new program
Is a personal visit required?
Yes,, you are required to come personally to Hungary for biometrics and signing application for one day.
What type of residence permit issued?
Temporary residence permit valid for 10 years.
How long residence permit issued for?
The Guest investor permit issued for 10 years and renewable for another 10 years.
What is public donation?
Under GIP rules, you must donate EUR 1 million to educational institutions (eg. Universities, schools etc..)
Where i can travel with Hungary residence card?
You get visa free privileges within Schengen area and non-schengen EU countries (90 days). You must use your orignal passport and residence permit to travel within Schengen states.
Can stateless people apply?
Yes they are accepted.
Do i need to open a company?
No. you can directly invest in the fund without opening a Hungarian company.
Is opening bank account mandatory?
Yes, it is required to open account with Hungarian banks.
When should i make the investment?
You must make the investment within 90 days of visa approval else the visa will be cancelled.
What are the reasons for application rejection?
Possible rejection reasons are coming from a country under sanctions, past criminal record or SIS alert in schengen or assets frozen within EU countries or a national security threat to Hungary.
What is the process to renew the GIP permit?
Application must be submitted via Enter Hungary platform within 30 days of expiry of old permit.