The Hungarian Golden Visa Program
Family members can apply for the new type of residence permit together, and it can be extended when it expires. You can apply for the program from July 1, 2024. The new Hungarian Golden Visa Program enables international investors to obtain a so-called "guest investor residence permit" in Hungary. Unlike other types of residence permits, this permit will be valid for 10 years, and upon expiry, it can be extended even if the holder has not spent any time in Hungary. The only condition is to maintain the investment. Family reunification is also available, meaning that the investor's spouse and minor children will also be entitled to the permit.
The Hungarian Golden Visa stands out from other similar programs by giving the whole family a ten-year residence permit in exchange for a single investment.
About the prices
Investors who wish to obtain a 10-year residence permit for themselves and their family members under the Hungarian Golden Visa Program can choose from two options - regardless of whether they actually want to move to Hungary.
Investment certificate: €250,000. Purchase of investment certificates from a Hungarian Real Estate Fund registered by the MNB (Hungarian National Bank).
Donation: €1,000,000. Financial support for a higher education or cultural institution designated for this purpose.
The purchase/sale fee is 2.5% (€6,250), and the account management and custody fee is a total of €2,500 (calculated over a 5-year period). One-time administration fee (€60,000).
Would you like to be one of the first to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Hungarian Golden Visa Program? Email us today!
How does the Hungarian residency program compare to other Golden Visas?
| Program Considerations | Hungary Golden Visa (2024) |
Greece Golden Visa (2024) |
Latvia Golden Visa (2024) |
Italian Golden Visa (2024) |
Spain Golden Visa (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Capital Requirement | €250,000; €1 million |
€250,000+; €400,000+; €800,000+ |
€250,000+ (property option) | €250,000+; €500,000+; €1 million+; €2 million+ |
€500,000+ |
| Asset Type | Real Estate Funds, Public Benefit Donation | Residential / Commercial | Residential / Commercial | €250K: Innovative Startup Investment; €500K: Shares or Stocks (including in companies investing in property; €1 million: Public Good Donation; €2 million: Italian Government Bonds |
Residential / Commercial |
| Application Process Timeline | 2-3 Months | 2-3 Months | 3-4 months+ | 12-18 months+ | 2-3 Months+ |
| Initial Residency Permit Validity | 10 Years | 5 Years | 5 Years (But ID cards annually renewable) | 2 Years | 3 Years |
| All Nationalities Eligible | No | Yes – But T&Cs apply | No | No | Yes – But T&Cs apply |
| Additional Savings Requirement | No | No | No | No | No |
| Minimum Net Worth Requirement | No | No | No | No | No |
| Minimum stay requirement | No (0 Days Per Year) | No (0 Days Per Year) | No – But annual visits required to renew your ID card (7-14 day process) | 7 Days Per Year (On Average) | No (0 Days Per Year) |
| Path To PR/Citizenship | Yes | Yes – but very challenging | Yes – but very challenging | Yes | Yes |
| Local employment allowed | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Pros of the new Hungarian Guest Investor Program
The fastest EU Golden Visa processing time is expected.
The cheapest Golden Visa program – 2024 investments from €250,000.
Exceptionally livable, centrally situated EU country with a relatively low cost of living.
The ultimate Plan B destination – fast access, great lifestyle, and no minimum stay requirements.
With a residence permit, you can buy an apartment or real estate in Hungary.
You or your family members can work in Hungary under the program. A brief overview of labor rights. Investors: The guest residence permit entitles its holder to carry out activities independently for remuneration or to act as a senior officer in an economic organization, cooperative or other legal entity established for the purpose of generating income. Family members: The guest residence permit issued for the purpose of family reunification entitles its holder to perform actual work for or under the direction of others for remuneration, based on an employment contract.
How to get a Golden visa and move to Hungary: a step-by-step guide
The processing time for obtaining a Hungarian residence permit depends on the individual situation of each investor and takes 6+ months.
1 day 1 Preliminary Due Diligence
Immigrant Invest conducts a preliminary check of the investor, which helps to discover and reduce the risks of a refusal to a minimum.
Certified Compliance Anti Money Laundering Officers undertake the completely confidential check. The investor provides only their passport.
2 weeks 2 Documents collection
Immigrant Invest lawyers provide the investor with a list of required documents. Then, lawyers translate and notarize them.
3 Application for the Guest Investor Visa
On behalf of the investor, lawyers apply for the Guest Investor Visa, which is the first step to a residence permit.
The Guest Investor Visa is issued for 2 years. The investor must visit Hungary and apply for a residence permit within this period.
Up to 93 days 4 Visit to Hungary and fulfilment of investment requirements
The investor has 93 days after arriving in Hungary to invest in a chosen project and apply for a residence permit. The investor must keep their investment for at least 5 years.
3 days 5 Application for a residence permit
Lawyers help the investor apply for an RP. The application is considered within several days. When it is approved, the investor books an appointment with a migration office to take fingerprints and get a residence permit.
Up to 3 weeks 6 Submission of biometrics and obtainment of a residence permit card
On the appointment date, the investor provides original documents, submits biometrics, and takes a photo for a residence permit card. The document is issued within 21 days and sent by mail to the chosen address.
1+ month 7 Relocation to Hungary (Optional)
Once the investor receives their residence card, they can move to Hungary. After entering the country, they have three days to register their place of accommodation on the electronic platform of the immigration authority for procedure initiation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
When can I submit the application for the Hungarian Golden Visa?
The program has been open for applications since July 1, 2024. You can apply for a 6-month guest investor visa now; this is the first step towards obtaining a 10-year guest investor residence permit.
How long do I need to hold the investment?
After 5 years, you will receive back the 250,000 euros you paid. You will continue to keep the permanent residence permit issued by Hungary. You do not need to re-subscribe to the Fund's shares. Your permanent resident status will not change. After 10 years, you will be able to extend the permit for another 10 years if the conditions for obtaining it are met again upon expiry.
How much time do I have to spend in Hungary?
Residence permits are generally characterized by the fact that they can only be extended if the owner has spent most of his time in Hungary. However, the guest investor residence permit is not like that: you can extend it after ten years even if you have not spent any time in Hungary.
How long can I spend in the European Union?
Hungarian residents can travel visa-free to all member countries of the Schengen zone and can spend up to 180 days there without any special paperwork.
Can I obtain Hungarian citizenship through the Golden Visa Program?
The focus of the Hungarian Golden Visa program is not citizenship, but the residence permit. The residence permit obtained with a Golden Visa Investment can lead to Hungarian citizenship if the investor spends enough time in Hungary. In the traditional naturalization procedure, you must have a Hungarian address card for 8 years, although other factors can shorten the waiting time.
APPLICATION
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