Hungary golden visa: residence permit by investment

Two investment options

Buying a home directly is not part of the programme: the option of a property from $562,000 (500,000 euros) was removed from the law in December 2024, before it took effect. You still need housing in Hungary for your address, but it can be rented.

Fund or donation: which to choose

How to choose a fund

• Approved manager. The National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing publishes a list of fund managers whose funds count for the programme. A fund outside the list does not qualify.
• Residential share. At least 40% of the fund's net assets must be residential property in Hungary.
• Lock-up. Units are held in a blocked securities account for at least 5 years and cannot be sold earlier without losing status.
• Costs and exit. We compare entry, management and exit fees and how and when the fund redeems units after 5 years.

How much Hungarian residence costs in 2026

• investment - from $281,000 (250,000 euros), in a fund or from $1.13 million (1 million euros), as a donation;
• guest investor visa for those who need a visa - about $124 (110 euros);
• permit application - about $121 (107 euros), in person or about $79 (70 euros), via the state portal;
• fund management company fees - per the fund's terms;
• rent for your address, health insurance, document translations;
• our support, if you hand the process to us.

For a family, fees and documents are paid for each member, while the investment is made once. A manager will calculate the total for your family in the chat. Dollar amounts use the market rate of 20 October 2026, 1.1229 dollars per euro, rounded up.

How to apply and keep the status

• Where. Only in Hungary: in person at the aliens policing office or via the state portal for foreigners.
• When. With a guest investor visa, within 30 days of first entry; visa-exempt nationals at any time during lawful stay.
• Changes. If investment details change, for example you sell units or switch funds, report it via the portal within 5 days.
• Extension. File the extension at least 30 days before the permit expires.

Documents

• a valid passport;
• a certificate of fund unit purchase or proof of donation;
• a document on housing in Hungary: a lease, title deed or booking;
• a photo; fingerprints are taken at filing;
• proof of source of funds for the fund manager and the bank;
• for family members, marriage and birth certificates with an apostille and Hungarian translation.

Foreign-language documents are translated into Hungarian, and documents from other countries need an apostille or legalisation.

What to check before applying

• the investment is in a fund whose manager is not on the immigration authority's approved list;
• units sold before 5 years or the investment not confirmed by a certificate;
• the application filed more than 30 days after entry on a guest investor visa;
• no document on housing in Hungary;
• unproven source of funds or a security threat;
• the applicant is an EEA national: the programme is only for other nationals.

Family

The guest investor's spouse and minor children get family reunification permits, with the investment made once. Each needs a passport, apostilled and translated marriage or birth certificates, housing and insurance. Children can attend Hungarian state and international schools.

Path to permanent residence and citizenship

A guest investor permit can be held for 20 years without changing status, but permanent residence and citizenship require actually living in the country. Naturalisation generally requires 8 years of continuous residence in Hungary, an exam on constitutional basics in Hungarian, housing and an income, and no criminal record. Hungary does not require giving up your previous citizenship.

Taxes

Hungarian personal income tax is a flat 15%. You become a tax resident by living there more than 183 days a year or having your permanent home and centre of vital interests in Hungary. If you hold the permit but live elsewhere, tax residence is determined by where you actually live and the tax treaty. See taxes in Hungary.

Risks and what can change

• Fund unit value may fall over 5 years: it is an investment, not a guaranteed return.
• Rules change: the home purchase option was removed before launch, and the European Union criticises residence by investment schemes.
• Money is locked for 5 years; selling units early costs the status.
• A donation is never refunded.

Alternatives

• Greek residence by investment - property investment, a 5-year permit.
• Latvian residence by investment - several investment options in Schengen.
• Portuguese residence - via funds and other grounds.
• Hungary digital nomad visa - without a large investment.

What changed and what we rely on

The guest investor programme operates under the 2023 immigration law. In December 2024 the $562,000 (500,000 euros) home purchase option was removed, so today only the real estate fund and the university donation are available. Sources: the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing factsheet on the guest investor permit and its list of approved fund managers, and the Hungarian tax authority; checked on 6 October 2026.

Benefits of a Hungarian residence permit

How to get Hungarian residence by investment: step by step

FAQ