Hungary

Hungary is an attractive destination for those looking for a high-quality lifestyle and lucrative investment prospects in Central Europe. Non-EU investors and their families can now apply for the Hungarian Guest Investor Residence Permit, which grants them long-term legal residency in Hungary and access to the Schengen Area in Europe.

Benefits of Hungarian Residence by Investment

A fast and efficient route to European residency
The ability to live and work in Hungary with visa-free travel within the Schengen Area
No minimum stay requirement
Includes the spouse and children under 18 years of age

Residence Permit:

Citizens from third countries, along with their spouses and children under 18, can obtain a Guest Investor Residence Permit by investing in one of the following options:

Real Estate Investment Fund:
Purchase investment certificates issued by a real estate fund registered with the National Bank of Hungary, with a minimum investment of EUR 250,000.

The fund must meet the following criteria:
At least 40% of the fund's net asset value must be invested in Hungarian residential real estate. While the fund can include commercial real estate, a minimum of 40% of its assets must be in residential properties within Hungary.
Investors must hold the investment certificates for a minimum of five years.
Only fund managers with a financial license, who comply with the pre-established investment principles outlined in the fund management policy, are allowed to establish a real estate fund.
Fund managers must either hold a site security certificate or be registered with the Constitution Protection Office to engage with guest investor visas.

Donation to a Hungarian Public Trust:
Make a monetary donation of at least EUR 1 million to an institution of higher education operated by a public trust that performs public functions.

Additional Requirements:
The applicant must not have any alerts in the Schengen Information System, nor any expulsions or bans on entry and stay. They must not pose a threat to public order, security, or national security.
The immigration authority will consult with Hungary's law enforcement and national security services regarding the application.
 

To apply for the Hungary Guest Investor Residence Permit, the following steps must be taken:

Obtain a Guest Investor Visa:
The applicant must first apply for a Guest Investor Visa, during which they declare their intention to invest in one of the approved options. However, the actual investment does not need to be completed at this stage.

Travel to Hungary and Complete the Investment:
Upon receiving the Guest Investor Visa, the applicant must travel to Hungary. Within three months of their initial entry, they must finalize their chosen investment and submit an application for the Guest Investor Residence Permit to the immigration authority or through the electronic platform, Enter Hungary. Proof of the completed investment must be provided with the application. Once the application is submitted and all requirements are met, there is no need for further travel to Hungary.

Residence Permit Issuance:
Upon approval, the applicant and their eligible family members (spouse and children under 18) will receive a long-term residence permit valid for 10 years, which can be renewed for an additional 10 years as long as the investment is maintained.

Acquiring Hungarian Citizenship after the Guest Investor Residence Permit

Permanent Residence:
After lawfully residing in Hungary for three years, a guest investor can apply for permanent residence. For applications submitted after January 1, 2025, passing a written cultural exam in Hungarian is also required.

Citizenship:
Citizenship may be granted after obtaining permanent residence and living in Hungary for at least eight years. Exceptions may apply for Hungarian minor children or spouses. Passing a Hungarian cultural exam remains a mandatory requirement for citizenship.