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- May 30 2025
- Reading time: 9 min.
Wealthy foreigners have the opportunity to move to Hungary by obtaining a «Golden Visa». Having invested from 250,000 € in the country’s economy, it is possible to obtain a residence permit for up to 10 years.
Life in Hungary offers comfortable conditions: it is an inexpensive, but developed and picturesque country. Thermal springs, ruin bars and medieval streets create an atmosphere for a relaxed lifestyle.
Learn about the benefits of a golden visa to Hungary, who can move with the main applicant and what the country is famous for.
What is the Hungarian Golden Visa
The Golden Visa, or residence permit for investment, is granted for contributions of 250,000 € or more to the Hungarian economy. Investors receive a residence permit for 10 years with the possibility of a one-time extension for the same period. Permanent residence in the country is not required to maintain the status.
Citizens of non-EU and non-EEA countries can obtain a residence permit in Hungary. The first step to this is to obtain an investor visitor visa, which is issued for up to 6 months. During this time it is necessary to come to Hungary, apply for a residence permit and fulfill the investment conditions. The visitor visa allows you to enter the country multiple times and stay there for more than 90 days out of 180.
Advantages of a Golden Visa to Hungary
1. Moving as a family
Spouses, children and parents can join the main applicant and move to Hungary on a Golden Visa. They have the right to work, run a business, study and receive medical services in any part of the country. Children with a residence permit can study in Hungarian educational institutions, among which 11 universities are included in the list of the world’s best universities according to QS World University Rankings 2025.
2. Schengen visa-free travel
Hungarian residents can stay in 29 Schengen countries for up to 90 days out of 180 days. Due to the proximity of the countries, it is possible to travel by car. For example, Vienna can be reached from Budapest in just 3 hours.
3. Quality medicine
Hungary is known as a center of health tourism. Foreigners come here for surgical, dental and cosmetic services. The country is famous for its mineral and thermal springs and is a popular destination for recovery.
4. Low living costs
Prices for housing, food, transportation and entertainment in Hungary are much lower than in other European countries. To live comfortably in Budapest you will need about 3000 € per month, while in Prague or Vienna you will need from 4000 €.
5. Security
According to the Global Peace Index 2025, Hungary is among the 15 safest countries to live in with one of the lowest crime rates in Europe.
6. Low taxes
Taxes in Hungary are among the lowest in the EU. For example, income tax is 15%, compared to 23% in the Czech Republic and up to 53% in Portugal. Corporate income tax is only 9%.
7. Opening a bank account
Hungarian residents can easily open accounts and deposits with local and international banks by providing only a passport, residence permit card and residence registration certificate. No complicated checks are required.
8. Possibility to obtain citizenship
After three years of residence in Hungary with a residence permit, foreigners can apply for a permanent residence permit. After another eight years, they are eligible to apply for citizenship through naturalization.
9. No proof of language proficiency is required
Investors do not need to take a Hungarian language proficiency test to obtain or renew a residence permit. According to the Foreign Service Institute, Hungarian is considered one of the most difficult languages to learn, along with Russian, Hebrew and Turkish. Knowledge of the language is only required when applying for a permanent residence permit or Hungarian citizenship.
All ways to obtain a golden visa to Hungary
1. Investments in units of a real estate investment fund – from 250,000 €. The investor directs the funds to a real estate investment fund that has been approved by the Central Bank of Hungary. As of the beginning of 2025, two funds have been accredited for the Golden Visa:
- Sprint Asset;
- Granit Asset Management.
Investors must hold their units for at least 5 years. Otherwise, if they are sold earlier, the residence permit will be revoked.
2. Donation to the university – from 1 million euros. The investor makes a contribution to support educational, scientific or cultural initiatives. The educational institution must be a member of the Public Interest Asset Management Foundation.
The application for a golden visa to Hungary can include family members – spouse, children and parents. Once the residence permit is granted, the principal applicant and his or her family have the right to work in Hungary, either in Hungarian companies or in the investor’s company.
When applying for a residence permit, the investor must prove the address of residence in Hungary, for which he or she will need to purchase or rent real estate in the country.
Costs for an investor to obtain a Golden Visa to Hungary
The total cost of applying for a residence permit depends on the option chosen – buying units or donating to the university. The costs include the amount of the investment, administrative fees and other related costs.
The basic costs are the same for both options and include:
- residence permit application fee – 52,000 Hungarian forints (110€);
- Residence permit card issuance fee – 15,000 HUF (about 40 €);
- health insurance – from 500 € per year;
- rent or purchase of real estate: from 500 € per month if renting and from 3,000 € per m² if buying.
Additional costs are incurred by applicants who choose to buy investment fund units. These include:
- fund commission – 5,000 €;
- annual management fee – 2.5%;
- administration fee – 65,000 € for a family of four, including spouses and children under 18 years of age.
If a residence permit is issued for more than five people, the administrative fee increases: for each child over 18 years of age, 15,000 € is added, and for each adult – 10,000 €.
Requirements for applicants for a Golden Visa to Hungary
Gold visa can be obtained both by the investor and his/her family members – spouse, children under 25 years of age and parents.
Requirements for the main applicant: A residence permit in Hungary is issued to adult investors who are not citizens of the European Union or the European Economic Area. In order to obtain the status it is necessary to have:
- absence of a criminal record;
availability of legal income with - documentary proof;
- purchase of medical insurance.
Requirements for the investor’s family members: Spouse and minor children receive a 10-year residence permit without additional conditions.
Children from 18 to 25 years of age can receive a residence permit only if they are financially dependent on the investor, are studying at a university and are unmarried. Such a residence permit is issued for 3 years with the possibility of renewal for another three years if the conditions are met.
The investor’s parents must be financially dependent on the main applicant and confirm that their only source of income is a pension.
If the main applicant or his/her family members are citizens of Russia, Belarus or Ukraine, they must have a second passport of another country.
Documents required to obtain a golden visa to Hungary
In order to apply for a visitor visa and residence permit (VLV) in Hungary, an investor will need the following documents:
- A passport with a validity of at least 12 months.
- A completed visitor visa application form.
- Written confirmation of the intention to fulfill the investment conditions – for the investor’s visitor visa.
- Two 3×4 cm photos taken at least one month ago.
- Health insurance.
- Bank statement proving the availability of funds for living in Hungary.
- Proof of investments made – to obtain a residence permit.
- Proof of legal source of income.
- CV for each adult family member.
- Marriage and birth certificates for children – if relevant.
Our successful cases on Hungarian residence permits for investments
Visiting investor visa
Step-by-step procedure for obtaining a golden visa to Hungary
The process of obtaining a residence permit in Hungary through investment is divided into two stages: first the applicant applies for an investor visitor visa in his/her home country, then comes to Hungary, applies for a residence permit and fulfills the investment conditions.
According to the experience of IST Hungary, it takes from 5 months to obtain a golden visa to Hungary.
IST Hungary conducts an initial screening of the investor, which allows us to identify and minimize possible risks of failure in a timely manner. The procedure is carried out by certified Compliance Anti Money Laundering Officers who are well aware of the nuances of due diligence in different countries. The verification process is conducted in strict confidentiality.
The investor provides the originals of the required documents, which are then translated and notarized.
The investor applies for a visitor visa at the Hungarian consulate in his/her home country. The visa is issued for a period of 6 months, during which time it is necessary to come to Hungary and apply for a residence permit.
The investor arrives in Hungary on a visitor visa and signs a contract with the chosen foundation or educational institution. The application for a residence permit can be submitted in two ways: in person at the General Directorate of the Alien Police in Hungary or online through the Enter Hungary platform.
Within 3 months after arrival in Hungary, the investor needs to purchase units of an investment fund or make a donation to a higher education institution.
The residence permit application is processed within 21-30 days, after which it takes a few more days to produce the resident card.
The residence card is issued for 10 years with the possibility of one-time renewal for the same period. If the investor obtained the residence card through the purchase of units in an investment fund, in order to renew it, he/she must prove that he/she continues to hold the units or make a new investment of 250,000 €. Investors who have made a donation to a university can extend their status automatically upon request.
Reasons for refusal of a golden visa to Hungary
An application for a residence permit (HZH) in Hungary may be rejected in the following cases:
- The applicant has a criminal record and has failed to notify the applicant;
- Has previously been deported from Hungary for a visa violation;
- Provided incomplete or false information about himself/herself.
After rejection, the applicant has 8 days to appeal to the migration service.
A golden visa to Hungary can also be canceled. This can happen if the investor violates the laws of the country or fails to fulfill the conditions stated initially. For example, if he sells units of an investment fund before the expiration of 5 years from the date of obtaining the residence permit status.
Rights and obligations of a golden visa holder in Hungary
Resident Rights. After obtaining a residence permit for an investment in Hungary, investors can:
- Reside, work and do business in Hungary;
- Enter the country even if the borders are closed to foreigners;
- Use medical services in Hungarian clinics;
- Open accounts and deposits in Hungarian banks;
- Receive education in educational institutions in Hungary.
Resident Duties. Holders of a residence permit for investments are obliged to:
- Retain their investment for a minimum of 5 years to maintain residency status;
- Comply with the laws of Hungary;
- Have an address of registration in the country – in the purchased or rented real estate, and notify the migration service of any changes of address;
- Pay taxes in accordance with Hungarian law.
5 ways to get a residence permit in Hungary without investment
- Family reunification. A residence permit can be obtained by close relatives of Hungarian residents and citizens, as well as immigrants with refugee status:
- Spouse;
- Minor children, including adopted children;
- Guardians of a minor child.
The residence permit is issued for the duration of the main applicant’s residence permit or for a renewable period of 3 years.
- Doing Business. Entrepreneurs can obtain a residence permit when opening a company in Hungary. The minimum amount of the authorized capital is 7700 €.
The residence permit is issued for 1 year with the possibility of extension for 2 years.
- Remote work. Individual entrepreneurs, owners and remote employees of foreign companies can obtain a “white card” of Hungary. Applicants must prove an income of 3000 € per month and purchase or rent a home in the country.
The residence permit is issued for one year with the possibility of extension.
- Employment. Hungary offers 8 types of residence permits for foreign workers: 4 types for highly qualified specialists and 4 types for unskilled workers. The conditions for obtaining a residence permit depend on the basis on which the applicant obtains the status.
A residence permit is issued for the duration of the employment contract.
- National Card of Hungary. Citizens of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova and Northern Macedonia can obtain a residence permit upon employment in a Hungarian company or registration of their own business.
The residence permit is issued for 3 years with the possibility of extension for another 3 years. The National Card allows you to apply for permanent residence and citizenship in Hungary.
How to obtain permanent residence and citizenship in Hungary
Investors can apply for permanent residence in Hungary after three years of residence with a temporary residence permit. The permanent residence permit is granted on an indefinite basis. To obtain this status, it is necessary not to leave the country for more than 4 consecutive months and not to exceed 270 days of absence in a total of three years. Proof of knowledge of the Hungarian language is also required.
To retain the permanent residence status, you must spend at least 183 days in Hungary per year. The residence permit card is renewed every 5 years. You can apply for a residence permit online through the website of the Hungarian Migration Service Enter Hungary. The investor must visit the migration office to submit biometric data and the processing fee is approximately 54 €.
Hungarian citizenship can be obtained after 8 years of continuous residence in the country with a permanent residence permit. In order to obtain a passport, it is necessary to pass an exam in Hungarian language and history of the country.
In some cases, the period of continuous residence for citizenship may be shortened:
- 3 years – for close relatives of Hungarian citizens;
- 5 years – for foreigners born in Hungary, who received residence permit before the age of 18 or who do not have citizenship;
- 5 years – for spouses of Hungarian citizens.
Hungary allows dual citizenship, so it is not necessary to renounce the first passport.
Highlights about the golden visa to Hungary
- The Golden Visa to Hungary provides investors with the opportunity to obtain a residence permit (HND) for a period of up to 10 years. The residence permit is issued only to citizens of countries outside the European Union and the European Economic Area.
- Applicants can choose one of two investment options: purchase of investment fund units from €250,000 or donation to a higher education institution from €1 million.
- After three years of permanent residence in Hungary on the basis of a residence permit, investors are entitled to apply for permanent residence.
- Hungarian citizenship can be applied for after 8 years of residence with permanent residence status.
- Golden visa to Hungary offers many advantages: the possibility of moving the whole family to Europe, access to quality medical care, low taxes, the opportunity to work, do business and study, as well as visa-free travel to Schengen countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
From 2024, investors can apply for a golden visa in Hungary. In order to obtain a residence permit (HGV), one of two options must be chosen: to purchase investment fund units of 250,000 € or more or to make a donation to a higher education institution of 1 million € or more.
To obtain a golden visa in Hungary, an investor must either buy units of an investment fund or make a donation to a university. The minimum investment amount is 250,000 €. The golden visa can be obtained by citizens of countries outside the European Union and the European Economic Area. Investors can also include spouses, children and parents in their application.
You can obtain a residence permit in Hungary through investments in two ways:
- Purchase of real estate investment fund units - from 250,000 €. Units can be sold not earlier than after 5 years of ownership, otherwise the residence permit will be revoked.
- Donation to a higher education institution - from 1 million euros.
Residence permit status is issued for 10 years at once, and to maintain it, the investor does not have to reside permanently in Hungary. Residence permit without investment can be obtained through family reunification, opening a business or employment in a Hungarian company. Individual entrepreneurs, owners and remote employees of foreign companies can obtain a “white card” of Hungary.
Permanent residence (Permanent Residence) in Hungary can be obtained after three years of residence with a residence permit, which entitles you to permanent residency status. One such option is a residence permit for investment or a golden visa to Hungary.
To obtain a golden visa, foreign investors can choose one of two ways:
- Purchase of units of a real estate investment fund - from 250,000 €. The units can be sold not earlier than after 5 years of ownership, otherwise the residence permit will be revoked.
- Donation to a higher education institution - from 1 million €.
A residence permit in Hungary is issued indefinitely. To retain the status, one cannot leave the country for more than 4 consecutive months and 270 days in total for three years. Applicants must also prove knowledge of the Hungarian language.
The first step to moving to Hungary is to obtain a residence permit. It is possible to become a resident of Hungary with or without investment.
A residence permit for investment can be obtained in the following ways:
- Purchase of real estate investment fund units - from 250,000 €. Units can be sold not earlier than after 5 years of ownership, otherwise the residence permit will be canceled.
- Donation to a higher education institution - from 1 million euros.
The residence permit status is issued for up to 10 years, and to maintain it does not require permanent residence in the country. The non-investment option for obtaining a residence permit includes family reunification, opening a business or employment in a Hungarian company. Individual entrepreneurs and employees of foreign companies can obtain a Hungarian White Card.
Investors can apply for a golden visa in several European Union countries such as Portugal, Greece and Spain. Hungary offers some of the easiest conditions for obtaining a residence permit for investments:
- Minimum investment amount: €250,000 in Hungary and €500,000 in Spain.
- Term for obtaining a residence permit: in Hungary - from 5 months, in Portugal - from 12 months.
- Term of validity of the residence permit card: in Hungary - 10 years, in Spain - 3 years, in Portugal - 2 years.
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