Hungary Residence by Investment. Golden Visa of Hungary for 10 Years for the Whole Family.
- Reading time: 10 min.
Why is Hungary’s «Golden Visa» the best choice in 2026?
European investment immigration programs are changing rapidly. Portugal closed its real estate route, Greece raised minimum thresholds to €800,000 in popular areas, and Spain completely shut down its «Golden Visa». Against this backdrop, Hungary Residence by Investment (Guest Investor Programme, GIP) has become one of the most attractive offers on the market, officially opening for applicants on 1 July 2024.
The main advantage of the Hungarian program is the 10-year validity period of the residence permit, which no other European country offers. The GIP program provides full resident status with the right to live, work, do business, access the banking system and social services in Hungary, as well as visa‑free travel within the Schengen Area.
In this article, we will thoroughly analyze all aspects of obtaining Hungary Residence by Investment for the whole family, requirements for applicants, the step‑by‑step process, necessary documents, and answer the questions most frequently asked by our clients.
Key queries we will cover: Hungary residence by investment, Hungary golden visa, Hungary residence permit for Russians, Hungary residence permit for 10 years, Hungary residence permit for the whole family.
What is Hungary’s «Golden Visa»?
Hungary’s «Golden Visa» (official name – Guest Investor Residence Permit) is a state immigration initiative for citizens of non‑EU/EEA countries who are willing to make a financial contribution to the Hungarian economy in exchange for a long‑term residence permit. The program was launched on 1 July 2024 and is fully ready to accept applications.
Key features of the status:
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Validity period | 10 years, with possibility of extension for another 10 years |
| Residency requirement | None (you do not have to live in the country) |
| Right to work | Yes (unlike Greece and Malta) |
| Right to do business | Yes |
| Schengen | Free movement across 29 countries |
| Family inclusion | Spouse, children, parents |
| Path to permanent residence | After 3 years |
| Path to citizenship | After 8 years |
Hungary Residence by Investment for the Whole Family: who can obtain status?
One of the main advantages of the program is the ability to include all immediate relatives in the application for Hungary Residence by Investment. This makes the program an ideal solution for family immigration to Europe.
Who can be included in the application for Hungary Residence by Investment for the whole family:
- Spouse of the investor – receives the same 10‑year residence permit with the right to work.
- Minor children up to 18 years old.
- Adult children under certain conditions.
- Parents – can be included in the application and receive a residence permit for up to 10 years (with the right of extension).
Important note:
An additional state fee is paid for each dependent family member. In addition, all included family members must have some Hungarian documents.
Current investment options in 2026
Today, the Hungary Residence by Investment program offers two legal ways for investors:
✅ Option 1: Investment in a real estate fund (main route)
- Minimum amount: from €250,000
- Essence: acquisition of units in a real estate investment fund registered and regulated by the Hungarian National Bank.
- Key fund condition: at least 40% of the fund’s net assets must be placed in Hungarian residential real estate.
- Minimum holding period: 5 years, after which the investment can be returned.
- Potential return: up to 5-6% per year.
- Advantages: the lowest entry threshold among active European programs, passive income, no need to manage personal property.
✅ Option 2: Charitable donation
- Minimum amount: from €1,000,000
- Direction: donation to a Hungarian higher education institution or cultural organisation to support education, scientific research, art or sport.
- Important note: this amount is non‑refundable – it is an irrevocable donation.
- Who it suits: philanthropists and investors for whom the charitable component matters.
❌ Option 3: Direct real estate purchase (CLOSED)
As of January 2025, the option of direct purchase of residential real estate costing from €500,000 is officially suspended. Please ignore outdated information you may find online – this route is unavailable.
Accredited real estate funds 2026
As of 2026, several Hungarian funds have been accredited by the Hungarian Central Bank and are officially working within the program. It is expected that during 2026 several additional funds will join the program, which will broaden the choice for investors.
Comparison with other European «Golden Visa» programs (2026)
| Parameter | Hungary (GIP) | Greece | Portugal | Spain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum amount | €250,000 (fund) | from €250,000 to €800,000 | €500,000 (funds) | Closed |
| First residence permit term | 10 years | 5 years | 2 years | — |
| Right to work | ✅ Yes | No | ✅ Yes | — |
| Minimum stay | 0 days | 0 days | 7 days/year | — |
| Inclusion of parents | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | No | — |
| Path to citizenship | from 5 years* | 7 years | 5 years | — |
Hungary wins on the residence permit term and the absence of stay requirements, while offering the lowest entry threshold among active European programs.
Requirements for applicants
To qualify for Hungary Residence by Investment for Russians and citizens of other non‑EU/EEA countries, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
1. Citizenship: not an EU/EEA citizen
2. Age: at least 18 years old
3. Proof of legal funds Required
4. Proof of accommodation and many other documents Required
Step‑by‑step process for obtaining a 10-year Hungary Residence Permit
The whole process from the start of document preparation to receiving the plastic residence card takes on average 3‑4 months and includes the following steps:
Complete list of required documents
Personal documents of the applicant and family members:
- International passport (valid for at least 1 year from the expected date of receiving the residence permit)
- Domestic passport (copies)
- Photographs (on special paper, meeting biometric requirements)
- Proof of place of residence in Hungary and many other documents
Financial documents (proof of legality of funds):
One of the most important and complex sets of documents is proof of the legal origin of the investment funds. The Hungarian immigration authorities pay special attention to this stage.
You can find detailed information here.
Documents for the investment
You can find detailed information here.
Specifics of obtaining Hungary Residence by Investment for Russians in 2026
Citizens of Russia and Belarus can participate in the Guest Investor Programme, but they are subject to enhanced control over the origin of funds with deeper due diligence.
Specifics for applicants from Russia and Belarus:
- Stricter verification of the source of funds – Hungarian immigration authorities pay increased attention to documentary proof of capital legality.
- Mandatory obtaining of a Guest Investor Visa before entering the country.
- It is recommended to prepare all possible supporting documents in advance.
Important note for US citizens
There is an important nuance for US citizens: they can participate in the program only if they have a second citizenship (dual passport). US citizens holding only an American passport cannot apply under the Guest Investor Program.
Our team at IST Hungary can help obtain second citizenship by investment for such cases.
Experts at IST Hungary note that Hungary has an established practice whereby “acquired rights” are not revoked retroactively. If you obtain a residence permit before any changes in legislation, your status will remain valid.
Recommendation: do not postpone your application if you are interested in participating.
Advantages of the GIP program: why investors choose the 10‑year Hungary Residence Permit
Despite the attractiveness of the program, there are some important nuances:
- Need for physical presence
Remote processing is possible in certain cases, but physical presence at Hungarian state authorities is mandatory at several key stages.
- Limited submission period after entry
After entering Hungary on a Guest Investor Visa, you have a certain amount of time to make the investment; otherwise, the permit may be revoked.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) on Hungary Residence by Investment for the whole family
Answer: Yes. Minor children under 18 years old obtain a residence permit together with the investor. Adult children over 18 may also be included in the application under certain conditions.
Yes, parents can be included in the application and obtain a residence permit for up to 10 years (with the right of extension) under certain conditions.
Yes. The investment in the real estate fund is held for 5 years, after which you can get your invested amount back, and your residence permit will remain valid (provided all other program rules are followed).
For tax matters, we recommend that you schedule a consultation with a tax expert to obtain precise information.
To extend for another 10 years, you must confirm that the original program conditions are still met, as well as the absence of violations of immigration legislation.
The Hungarian residence permit gives the right to live and work in Hungary. Working or doing business in other Schengen countries is possible under certain conditions. For details, please consult IST Hungary specialists.
It depends on the applicant and family composition. We recommend consulting with specialists on this matter.
After submitting the complete package of documents, the Hungarian immigration authorities review the application within 21 days.
Practical recommendations from IST Hungary experts
As a Hungarian consulting company with many years of experience in supporting investment immigration, we recommend future applicants:
✅ Start preparing your documents in advance. Collecting and preparing documents, especially proof of the origin of funds, can take 1‑3 months or more depending on the complexity of your financial structure.
✅ Conduct a preliminary document review. Submitting on your own without professional document verification carries a high risk of refusal due to formal errors or insufficient proof of fund legality.
✅ Get advice on choosing an investment fund. Each of the available funds has its own investment strategy, risk level and potential return.
✅ Prepare for physical presence. Given the need for in‑person submission, plan your trips to Hungary in advance.
Conclusion: Is it worth investing in the Hungarian residence permit in 2026?
The Hungarian «Golden Visa» program (Guest Investor Programme) is one of the most attractive investment immigration products on the European market in 2026.
Key advantages that make the program unique:
- 10‑year validity of the residence permit
- No minimum stay requirement
- Right to work and do business
- Inclusion of the whole family (spouse, children, parents)
- Low entry threshold: €250,000
About IST Hungary
Our Hungarian consulting company, IST Hungary, has many years of experience in supporting investment immigration to Hungary. We offer a full range of «turnkey» services:
🔹 Consultation on choosing the optimal investment instrument
🔹 Preliminary document review and assessment of approval chances
🔹 Assistance in opening an account and making the investment in an accredited fund
🔹 Full support at all stages – from document collection to obtaining the residence card
🔹 Handling negotiations with immigration authorities and funds
Our websites:
Book a consultation:
https://isthungary.hu/en/meeting-online-en/
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Hungarian immigration legislation may change. For up‑to‑date information and individual advice, please contact the qualified specialists at IST Hungary.
Our contacts:
📲 Phone: +36205977777
Write to us in Telegram
📧 E-mail: office@isthungary.hu
🌐 Website: https://isthungary.hu/
📍For the business meeting in Budapest in Hungary:
1061, Budapest, Király u. 26, Hungary
Hungary
Andorra
Bulgaria
Croatia
France
Greece
Italy
Portugal
Qatar
Republic of Serbia
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Spain
Switzerland
UAE
United Kingdom
Antigua and Barbuda
Austria
Dominica
Grenada
Vanuatu
Malta
Nauru
Saint Lucia
Sao Tome and Principe
Turkey
Cyprus
USA'/%3E%3C/svg%3E){kind=small}
