To qualify for the Hungary Golden Visa, applicants must invest a minimum of €250,000 in government-approved real estate funds or make a €1 million non-refundable donation to a designated public institution.
They must also have a clean criminal record, valid health insurance, and proof of legal income to demonstrate financial stability.
This article covers:
- Who is eligible to get a Golden Visa in Hungary?
- What are the requirements for Hungary Golden Visa?
- What is the investment fund for Hungary Golden Visa?
- What does a Hungary Golden Visa entitle you to?
- What are disadvantages of a Hungary Golden Visa?
Key Takeaways:
- The minimum investment for a Hungary Golden Visa starts at €250,000 in real estate funds.
- Applicants can include their spouse and dependent children in the same application.
- The visa grants 10-year renewable residency with no physical stay requirement.
- Gives visa-free access across Schengen Area and potential citizenship through standard naturalization.
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The information in this article is for general guidance only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice, and is not a recommendation or solicitation to invest. Some facts may have changed since the time of writing.
How to Get a Golden Visa in Hungary?
To obtain the Hungary Golden Visa (officially the Guest Investor Residence Permit), you must follow a two-stage process set by Hungarian authorities.
You first apply for the Guest Investor Visa before making the investment, then complete the investment and apply for the Guest Investor Residence Permit inside Hungary.
First Stage
1. Apply for the Guest Investor Visa at a Hungarian consulate
This is always the first step. You must complete and sign the application form and submit it in the country of your nationality or legal residence. Appointments are scheduled directly with the consulate.
To qualify, you must be a third-country national (non-EEA, non-Hungarian) whose planned investment is considered in the national economic interest.
2. Provide documentation proving your investment plan
You may apply before finalizing the investment, but you must show:
• A declaration stating which investment route you will take (€250,000 real estate fund share or €1 million donation to a public-trust university); and
• Proof of sufficient funds to complete the investment, with documents showing the legal origin of the money.
If you already purchased the investment fund share or made the donation, you can instead submit the official certificate confirming completion.
Second Stage:
1. Receive the Guest Investor Visa and enter Hungary
The visa allows multiple entries and stays beyond 90 days in a 180-day period. Most importantly, it gives you the right to apply for the residence permit.
2. Complete the investment inside the visa validity period
Once in Hungary, you must finalize the investment as declared, unless it was already completed before the visa issuance.
3. Apply for the Guest Investor Residence Permit
This second stage can only be done after the investment is completed. You will submit documentation such as:
• Proof of the investment
• A valid travel document
• Facial photograph
• Proof of Hungarian accommodation
4. Receive a 10-year renewable residence permit
Once approved, the residence permit is granted for 10 years and can be renewed for another 10 years if you maintain the qualifying investment.
Who Is Eligible for Golden Visa in Hungary?
Non-EU/EEA nationals (third-country citizens) are eligible for the Hungarian Golden Visa.
Applicants must be over 18, hold a valid passport, have no disqualifying criminal record, demonstrate legitimate sources of investment funds and health insurance cover.
Family members—spouse, dependent children (and in some cases dependent parents)—can typically be included in the application.
What Documents Are Needed for a Golden Visa in Hungary?
To obtain the Hungary Golden Visa (Guest Investor Residence Permit) you must submit key documents verifying your identity, investment commitment, financial standing and dependents.
Required documents include:
- Valid passport with at least two empty visa pages and issued within the last 10 years.
- Two recent passport-sized photographs.
- Health insurance proof or documentation showing entitlement to full healthcare coverage in Hungary.
- Proof of legitimate source of funds and bank statements showing sufficient finances for the investment.
- Certification of your chosen investment route:
- Investment certificate from an approved real-estate fund (minimum €250,000).
- Or donation receipt showing at least €1 million to a public higher-education institution.
- Police clearance / criminal record check showing no disqualifying SIS alerts or entry bans.
Additional supporting documents (for family members or dependents):
- Marriage certificate (for spouse) and birth certificates (for children) with apostille or official translation. h
- Curriculum vitae for applicant and adult dependents.
- Proof of accommodation or address in Hungary (if required).
Can I Get Residency in Hungary if I Buy a House?
Buying a house alone generally does not qualify you for the Hungary Golden Visa.
Although earlier versions or draft rules envisaged a residential real-estate investment option (e.g., €500,000 or above), this option was removed completely as of January 2025.
The current available routes under the program focus on investment fund or a large donation rather than straightforward property purchase.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Golden Visa in Hungary?
The total cost of the Hungarian Golden Visa typically starts at around €310,000 to €350,000 for the real estate fund route and can reach about €1,050,000 or more for the donation route.
The base investment begins at €250,000 in a Hungarian National Bank–approved real estate fund or €1,000,000 as a non-refundable donation to a designated public higher-education or cultural trust.
In both cases, applicants must also cover €60,000 in application and processing fees, plus approximately €10,000 per dependent and €10,000–€30,000 in additional expenses for legal, advisory, and administrative costs, including health insurance and due diligence.
How long is Hungary Golden Visa processing time?
The Hungary Golden Visa processing time typically ranges from 2 to 3 months once all documents are submitted and verified.
This includes the background check, investment verification, and residence permit issuance.
However, incomplete documentation or additional due diligence may extend the process slightly.
Applicants are advised to allow up to 4 months in total from submission to final approval, especially during peak application periods.
What Are the Benefits of Golden Visa in Hungary?
The Hungary Guest Investor Program offers long-term residency, European mobility, and flexibility for investors and their families. Key benefits include:
- 10-year renewable residence permit for the main applicant and dependents, extendable for another 10 years if investment conditions are met.
- Freedom to live, work, or study in Hungary without additional permits.
- Visa-free travel within the Schengen Area, allowing convenient movement across 27 European countries.
- No minimum stay requirement, making it ideal for expats and high-net-worth individuals who travel frequently.
- Family inclusion, allowing spouses and dependent children to be added under one application.
- Access to a stable EU environment with relatively low living costs and central European connectivity.
What Are the Disadvantages of a Golden Visa in Hungary?
The main disadvantages of Hungary’s Guest Investor Residence Permit are its high costs, lack of a direct citizenship route, and limited liquidity of the investment.
These factors, along with regulatory uncertainty, make it less straightforward than more established EU residency programs. Key drawbacks include:
- No direct path to citizenship, since it’s a residence-by-investment scheme; naturalization requires several years of physical residence.
- Investment lock-in period, typically five years, restricting access to invested funds during that time.
- Regulatory uncertainty, as the program was only relaunched in 2024 and is still refining its approved fund list and rules.
- High overall costs, with added legal, management, and administrative fees increasing total expenses.
- Limited program history, offering less predictability compared to older, well-tested golden visa programs in Europe.
Is Hungary a Strong Passport?
Yes — Hungary is widely recognized as one of the strongest passports globally, providing extensive visa-free mobility due to Hungary’s EU and Schengen membership.
According to the Henley Passport Index and Arton Capital Passport Index, Hungary consistently ranks among the top 10 worldwide, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to around 180 destinations.
The Nomad Capitalist Passport Index also ranks Hungary favorably with a balanced score across travel freedom, taxation, and global reputation.
This makes it one of the most advantageous passports for global travel and business mobility.
However, holding a Hungary Golden Visa does not grant citizenship or a passport automatically.
These are only available through standard naturalization procedures, which require several years of legal residence and fulfillment of other eligibility conditions.
Conclusion
The Hungary Golden Visa’s true significance lies not just in residency or mobility, but in its positioning within Europe’s shifting investment landscape.
As some EU states tighten or retire their golden visa schemes, Hungary’s approach signals renewed openness to foreign capital, albeit with evolving rules that investors must monitor closely.
Its balance of accessibility and regulatory caution makes it less of a quick-entry passport program and more a long-term strategic residency option for those anticipating Europe’s next phase of investment migration policy.
FAQs
Which country has the easiest golden visa?
Portugal and Greece are often considered the easiest countries to obtain a Golden Visa, thanks to relatively low investment thresholds and efficient processing times.
How much to invest in Hungary to get citizenship?
There is no guaranteed citizenship-by-investment route in Hungary.
You can invest via the Golden Visa from around €250,000, but citizenship must follow standard naturalization and residence requirements (typically many years of legal residence) rather than automatic via investment alone.
How much bank balance is required for a Hungary visa?
While there’s no officially fixed minimum bank balance for the Guest Investor Residence Permit, applicants are generally expected to show at least €300,000–€350,000 in available, legitimate funds to cover the €250,000 investment, fees, and living expenses.
Documentation of the source of funds is essential.
Can a foreigner buy a house in Hungary?
Yes, foreigners may purchase real estate in Hungary, subject to certain restrictions and with legal counsel.
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