Obtaining a Guest Investor Residence Permit in Hungary. Service offer

• residence permit valid for 10 years, renewable for another 10 years;
• quick processing of the application – within 21 days;
• relatively low participation threshold for the programme – from EUR 250 000;
• no requirement to live in the country;
• a residence permit does not automatically make its holder a tax resident (unless the investor resides in Hungary for more than 90 days in any 183-day period);
• possibility of obtaining a residence permit for family members;
• a right to do business and be employed in Hungary;
• a right to visa-free entry into the Schengen Area states;
• possibility of obtaining permanent residence and Hungarian citizenship.

• be a citizen of a third country (a country outside the EEA – European Economic Area);
• make an investment in accordance with the rules of the programme;
• meet other requirements:
  • have no criminal record;
  • pass a security check;
  • provide proof of the legal origin of funds;
  • provide proof of having a valid medical insurance;
  • provide proof of having a place of residence in Hungary.

The applicant can choose one of the 3 investment options:

1) Invest EUR 250 000 in a real estate investment fund (at least 40% of the fund’s portfolio must be invested in Hungarian residential real estate) registered by the Hungarian National Bank.

The investor is allowed to sell the bonds of a fund after 5 years. However, if the investor wishes to renew their guest investor residency after 10 years, by that time they must make another investment that matches the requirements.

2) Purchase Hungarian real estate worth at least EUR 500 000:

• strictly residential (commercial or industrial real estate is not allowed);
• uncontested and free of any claims (including mortgage);
• either the investor must be the sole owner or they can share ownership with one or more of the family members applying together (but with no one else outside the family group);
• the property cannot be sold for 5 years, and this must be indicated on the title deed.

The investor is allowed to sell the property after 5 years. However, if the investor wishes to renew their guest investor residency after 10 years, by that time they must make another investment that matches the requirements.

3) Donation of at least EUR 1 000 000 to an institution that meets the following criteria:

• it must be an institution managed by a public foundation (this is a specific category of institutions in Hungary);
• the institution must be one of higher education that is involved in scientific research or artistic activities as well as education;
• the list of specific institutions will be published by the Hungarian government.

Since this is a donation, it is not refundable. If the investor wishes to renew their guest investor residency after 10 years, no additional investment will be required.

Family members who may be included on the application:

• spouse;
• minor children.

For investors from countries with a visa regime, the procedure for obtaining a residence permit consists of two stages:

1. Applying for an investor visa to the Hungarian consulate in the investor’s country of nationality or permanent residence.
The investor visa is a multiple-entry visa valid for 6 months.
No actual investment is yet required at this stage; the applicant pledges to make an investment as required by the programme.

2. Applying for a guest investor residence permit in Hungary

The application must be submitted within 93 days of the date of first entry into Hungary.
By the time of applying for a residence permit, it is necessary to make the investment and prepare supporting documents.
The applicant can submit the application either by hand or electronically via a special electronic platform.
Investors from countries with a visa-free regime will apply for a guest investor residence permit in Hungary straight away (without first getting a guest investor visa).

The investor residence permit is issued for 10 years.

It can be renewed only once for another 10 years, provided that the applicant continues to meet the conditions of the programme, including the investment requirements.

The guest investor residence permit holder, during the validity of their residence permit, would receive a certificate of residential address (“szálláshely-igazolás”), and would never receive an address card (“lakcímkártya”). Continuous residency in Hungary for the purposes of citizenship must be proven by an address card.

After three years of living in Hungary, a guest investor can apply for a national residence card (a form of permanent residence permit), and then an address card too. The national residence card is renewable every 3 years.

[1] The fees are valid as of July 2024.

[2] VAT not included.