Hungary Golden Visa Program 2026: residency by investment explained

Hungary Golden Visa at a glance

The Hungary Golden Visa is officially regulated as a Guest Investor Residence Permit under the Act XC of 2023 on the General Rules for the Entry and Stay of Third-Country Nationals ^[124] Source: Immigration Law, Act XC of 2023 . The programme was relaunched in 2024 as part of a broader reform of residence categories for third-country nationals.

Under this framework, foreign investors may obtain a long-term residence permit in Hungary by making a qualifying investment that supports the national economy ^[125] Source: Guest Investor Visa rules, National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing . The option requires a minimum investment of: 

• €250,000 — in units of a real estate fund;
• €1,000,000 — to a public-interest trust foundation performing public tasks.

The Hungary Golden Visa program grants a 10-year residence permit, which may be renewed for an additional 10 years provided the investment is maintained and statutory conditions continue to be met. 

Hungary does not impose strict relocation obligations. However, applicants must comply with residence registration rules and maintain a valid Hungarian address.

Who is the Hungary Golden Visa program designed for?

The Hungary Golden Visa program is designed for financially independent third-country nationals who are prepared to make an investment in the Hungarian economy and can demonstrate a lawful source of funds.

Main applicant requirements

The principal applicant must:

• be a non-EU/EEA national;
• be over 18 years of age;
• make a qualifying investment under the Hungary Golden Visa program;
• confirm the lawful origin of invested funds;
• hold valid health insurance covering Hungary;
• have no criminal record and no entry bans within the Schengen Area;
• pass security screening and Due Diligence checks.

The Hungary Investment Visa is suitable for entrepreneurs, investors, and high-net-worth individuals seeking long-term residence in the European Union with relatively flexible physical stay requirements.

Eligible family members

Hungary residency by investment allows the inclusion of close family members in a single application. Eligible dependants generally include:

• a spouse;
• children under 18;
• financially dependent parents.

Each family member must independently meet general immigration criteria, including security clearance and health insurance requirements.

Investment options and requirements

Under the Hungary Golden Visa program applicants must complete an investment that complies with Hungarian immigration law and financial regulations. The investment must be maintained according to the programme rules in order to obtain and keep the residence permit.

1. Investment in a regulated real estate fund — €250,000+

The most commonly used route requires a minimum investment of €250,000 in units of a real estate fund registered with the Hungarian National Bank.

Key requirements:

1. The fund must be authorised and supervised by the Hungarian National Bank.
2. At least 40% of the fund’s assets must be invested in Hungarian residential real estate.
3. The investor must hold the fund units for a defined minimum period under programme rules.
4. Funds must originate from a lawful source and be transferred through verifiable banking channels.

This option does not involve the direct purchase of property by the investor. Instead, the investment is made into a regulated financial instrument linked to the Hungarian real estate market.

SPRINT Hungary Real Estate Development and Investment Fund is one of the first funds to receive a licence to participate in the Hungary Golden Visa programme ^[126] Source: Real Estate Fund, SPRINT Asset Hungária Zrt. . It was registered with the Hungarian National Bank and structured to meet the regulatory requirements for residency by investment.

Gravitas Hungary Real Estate Fund, managed by Gránit Asset Management, is a regulated investment fund that focuses on acquiring and developing residential and mixed-use real estate projects in Hungary ^[127] Source: Asset Manager Information, Gránit Asset Management . 

2. Non-refundable contribution to a public-interest trust foundation — €1,000,000+

An alternative route requires a non-refundable contribution of €1,000,000 to a public-interest trust foundation performing public tasks, such as supporting education, scientific research, or cultural initiatives.

Key features:

• contribution is not recoverable;
• receiving foundation must be designated in accordance with Hungarian legislation;
• the transfer must be fully documented and compliant with anti-money laundering rules.

This route may be suitable for applicants who prioritise administrative simplicity over capital preservation.

Estimated costs under Hungary Golden Visa

Expense type	Real estate fund option	Contribution option
Investment	€250,000+	€1,000,000+
Management fee	2.5% of net asset value annually	Not applicable
Account opening fee	€5,000	Not applicable
Residential address rental	€12,000+ per year	€12,000+ per year
Guest investor visa application fee	€110 for main applicant	€110 for main applicant
Residence permit application fee	€100 per person	€100 per person

7 benefits of Hungary residency by investment

Hungary residency by investment is structured as a long-term residence solution within the European Union. Below are seven key advantages of the Hungary Golden Visa program.

1. Long-term residence validity

The programme grants a 10-year residence permit, which may be renewed for an additional 10 years, provided statutory conditions continue to be met. This longer validity period distinguishes Hungary from several other EU residence-by-investment routes that require more frequent renewals.

For comparison, the Portugal Golden Visa issues a 2-year residence permit, followed by renewals for additional 2-year periods, subject to meeting stay requirements and maintaining the investment. The Italy Investor Visa provides a 2-year residence permit, renewable for 3-year periods if the investment remains in place.

2. Access to the Schengen Area

Residence permit holders may travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This facilitates business travel and short-term stays across participating European countries, subject to general Schengen rules.

3. Flexible physical stay requirements

Hungary does not impose strict minimum stay obligations for maintaining residence under the Guest Investor Visa. While compliance with address registration rules is required, full relocation is not mandatory. This makes the programme suitable for internationally mobile investors.

4. Family inclusion

The main applicant may include close family members in the same application. Eligible dependants include a spouse and minor children, with the possibility of including financially dependent parents.

5. Regulated investment framework

The €250,000 option is based on investment in a real estate fund supervised by the Hungarian National Bank. This structure offers regulatory oversight and transparency. Alternatively, applicants may opt for a non-refundable contribution route if capital preservation is not a priority.

6. Relatively fast processing timeline

Under the Hungary Golden Visa program, the residence permit process typically takes 5 months, subject to successful background checks and submission of complete documentation. By contrast, Portugal Golden Visa applicants have faced processing timelines of 12 months or longer in recent years due to administrative backlogs and high application volumes. 

7. Central European location

From Budapest, Vienna can be reached in approximately 2.5 hours by car or train, Munich in about 1 hour by air, and Paris in roughly 2.5 hours by flight. Direct flights to major financial centres such as Frankfurt, Zurich, and London typically take between 1.5 and 2.5 hours. This central positioning allows investors to maintain operational and personal ties across the European Union while holding residence in Hungary.

What personal documents are required for Hungary Golden Visa?

Applicants under the Hungary Golden Visa program must submit a structured set of personal and financial documents as part of the guest investor residence permit procedure. While the exact list may vary depending on individual circumstances, the core documentation typically includes:

1. Valid passport.
2. Completed residence application forms.
3. Proof of the qualifying investment.
4. Documentary evidence confirming the lawful origin of funds.
5. Proof of health insurance valid in Hungary.
6. Evidence of accommodation in Hungary, for example, a registered residential address.
7. Clean criminal record certificate issued by the country of citizenship and/or residence
8. Passport-sized photographs compliant with biometric standards.

Family members included in the application must provide civil status documents such as marriage certificates or birth certificates, as well as individual criminal record certificates where applicable.

All documents must generally be translated into Hungarian or accompanied by certified translations and may require legalisation or an apostille, depending on the country of issuance.

When to renew Hungary Golden Visa status?

Under the Hungary Golden Visa program the initial residence card is issued for 10 years. Renewal becomes relevant as the end of this validity period approaches.

Renewal timing

The renewal application should be submitted before the expiry of the current residence permit, within the timeframe established by Hungarian immigration authorities. It is advisable to begin preparing documentation three months in advance to avoid gaps in legal residence status.

Conditions for renewal

To renew the Hungary Golden Visa status, the applicant must demonstrate that:

• investment has been maintained in accordance with programme requirements;
• there are no grounds for refusal, such as security concerns or violations of residence rules;
• a valid Hungarian address remains registered.

For the real estate fund option, this typically involves confirming continued ownership of the fund units. For the contribution route, authorities may verify compliance with the original statutory conditions.

How to obtain permanent residence and citizenship in Hungary

Foreigners who first obtain a temporary residence permit in Hungary may apply for permanent residence once they satisfy the residence and legal conditions established by Hungarian immigration law ^[128] Source: Permanent residence rules, National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing .

Permanent residence in Hungary

To be eligible for permanent residence, a third-country national generally must:

• hold a valid residence permit and have lived in Hungary legally for at least three years prior to the application;
• not have been absent from Hungary for four consecutive months or more, or for a total of 270 days or more within the three-year qualifying period;
• maintain a registered address and lawful means of subsistence in Hungary;
• have valid health insurance;
• meet other statutory requirements, including not posing a threat to public order or national security.

Applications for permanent residence are submitted to the Hungarian immigration authority through the Enter Hungary platform or in person at a regional office. Applicants must provide supporting documentation such as passports, residence permit cards and proof of continuous residence.

Permanent residence status in Hungary is long-term and does not expire, though holders may need to renew the physical card periodically, like every five years, and maintain compliance with ongoing obligations.

Citizenship by naturalisation

Hungary does not offer citizenship by investment; instead, eligible residents may apply for citizenship through standard naturalisation under Hungarian nationality law.

General requirements for naturalisation include:

• continuous legal residence in Hungary for at least eight years immediately preceding the citizenship application;
• clean criminal record;
• stable livelihood and accommodation in Hungary;
• basic proficiency in the Hungarian language and fulfilment of constitutional knowledge conditions;
• integration into Hungarian society.

Some applicants may qualify for naturalisation under reduced residence requirements, for example:

• spouses of Hungarian citizens after three years of marriage and residence;
• parents of children under 18 who are Hungarian citizens;
• stateless persons or refugees under specific statutory conditions.

Hungary allows dual citizenship, meaning applicants do not generally need to renounce their existing nationality when becoming Hungarian citizens.

Statistics behind Hungarian Golden Visa demand

While there is no public statistical breakdown specifically for Hungary Golden Visa refusal rates, broader wealth mobility reports confirm that globally high-net-worth individuals and investors continue to seek secondary residence options in Europe. 

Demand for Hungary Golden Visa

Since the relaunch of the Hungary Golden Visa programme in mid-2024, official data show that over 100 investors had applied by September 30th, 2024 — indicating instant and growing interest in the new scheme.

Although detailed statistics on Hungary Golden Visa approvals have not yet been widely published since the programme was relaunched in 2024, the scheme emerges within a broader trend of growing demand for investment migration in Europe. 

Global wealth migration reports by UBS and Knight Frank indicate that internationally mobile high-net-worth individuals increasingly seek secondary residence in stable jurisdictions, particularly within the European Union.

At the same time, recent regulatory changes in established programmes such as Portugal have redirected investor attention toward alternative EU residence options. as a result, Hungary’s Guest Investor Residence Permit is attracting interest from investors looking for long residence validity.

Trends in residence permits in Hungary

In 2024, Hungarian authorities issued 407,364 residence permits across all immigration categories, reflecting steady demand for legal residence in the country ^[129] Source: Residence permits statistics, Eurostat . Recent data from the Ministry of the Interior also indicate that more than 1,800 residence permit applications were filed between May 2024 and March 2025, with over 1,400 approvals.

Tax implications of Hungary Golden Visa

Obtaining residence under the Hungary Golden Visa program does not automatically make an applicant a Hungarian tax resident. Tax obligations depend on actual residence, physical presence, and the location of economic interests. Investors considering relocation or partial relocation should therefore assess Hungarian tax rules separately from immigration status.

How to become a Hungarian tax resident

An individual is generally considered a Hungarian tax resident if at least one of the following conditions applies:

• they spend 183 days or more in Hungary within a calendar year;
• their centre of vital interests — family, primary home, business or economic ties — is located in Hungary;
• they hold permanent residence status and do not qualify as a tax resident elsewhere under a double taxation treaty.

Hungarian tax residents are taxed on their worldwide income, whereas non-residents are taxed only on Hungarian-source income.

Hungary has an extensive network of double taxation treaties, which may determine tax residency in cross-border situations and prevent double taxation.

Main taxes for individuals

Personal income tax. Hungary applies a flat personal income tax rate of 15%, one of the lowest in the European Union ^[130] Source: Personal income tax rate, PwC Tax Summaries — Hungary . This rate applies to employment income, business income, and many types of capital income, subject to specific rules.

Dividends are generally taxed at 15%, with additional social contribution tax potentially applicable up to a statutory cap.

Social contribution tax. Employment income may be subject to social contributions, with the employee contribution generally amounting to 18.5%, covering pension and healthcare insurance.

Property-related taxes. Hungary does not impose a nationwide wealth tax. Property tax rules vary by municipality and are typically moderate compared to Western European jurisdictions.

Corporate taxation in Hungary

Hungary applies a 9% corporate income tax. Hungary's rate is significantly below the EU average and has positioned the country as a competitive jurisdiction for business structuring within the European Union. 

However, companies operating in Hungary may also be subject to local business tax, up to 2%, and sector-specific levies depending on the activity.

What are the risks and disadvantages of Hungary Golden Visa?

While the Hungary Golden Visa program offers long-term EU residence, investors should assess potential limitations and risks before proceeding. as with any residence-by-investment framework, immigration status is conditional and subject to statutory compliance.

1. No direct path to citizenship

Hungary does not operate a citizenship by investment programme. The guest investor residence permit grants residence only. Any future application for Hungarian citizenship is possible solely through standard naturalisation, which generally requires eight years of continuous residence, language proficiency, and integration. For applicants seeking a faster route to an EU passport, this may be a limitation.

2. Investment maintenance obligation

Residence status is linked to maintaining the qualifying investment. Under the real estate fund option, investors must retain fund units for the required period. Early withdrawal or non-compliance with programme rules may affect renewal eligibility. 

3. Regulatory and policy changes

Immigration and investment frameworks may evolve. Hungary previously suspended its earlier residency bond programme, and the current structure was relaunched under new legislation. as with any state-regulated programme, future amendments cannot be excluded.

4. Limited physical presence and naturalisation implications

Although the Hungary Golden Visa has relatively flexible stay requirements, minimal physical presence may affect eligibility for permanent residence or citizenship. Continuous and genuine residence is generally required for naturalisation, which may not align with purely mobility-driven strategies.

5. Market and financial risks

The €250,000 option involves investment in a regulated real estate fund. While supervised, fund performance remains subject to market conditions. Returns are not guaranteed, and capital preservation depends on fund structure and economic factors.

Hungary Golden Visa vs other EU residency by investment programs

Hungary reintroduced its investor residence framework in 2024 under the guest investor residence permit category, positioning itself alongside other EU residence-by-investment programmes such as Greece, Portugal, Italy, and Malta. While all of these options provide access to residence within the European Union, their structure, timelines, renewal cycles, and long-term prospects differ significantly.

Hungary distinguishes itself through a 10-year residence permit validity, which is longer than most comparable EU Golden Visa schemes. The minimum investment threshold of €250,000 under the regulated real estate fund option places Hungary broadly in line with Greece and Portugal in terms of entry level. 

EU residence permits by investment comparison

Country	Minimum investment	Physical stay requirement	Obtaining period	Residence validity	Time to citizenship
Hungary	€250,000	No minimum stay	5+ months	10 years	11 years
Greece	€250,000	No minimum stay	4+ months	5 years	7 years
Portugal	€250,000	7 days per year	12+ months	2 years	5 years
Italy	€250,000	No minimum stay	4+ months	2 years	10 years
Malta	€169,000	No minimum stay	6+ months	Permanent residence	Citizenship by separate legal route

Final thoughts on Hungary Golden Visa

1. The Hungary Golden Visa requires a minimum investment of €250,000 in a regulated real estate fund or €1,000,000 as a non-refundable contribution under a clearly defined legal framework.
2. The programme grants a 10-year residence permit that may be renewed for an additional 10 years, making it one of the longest-validity investor residence options in the European Union.
3. The Hungary Golden Visa does not impose strict physical stay requirements, and residence permit holders may travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
4. Investors may apply for permanent residence after three years of lawful stay and for Hungarian citizenship after eight years of continuous residence, subject to naturalisation requirements.