Hungary Residence by Investment

Hungary offers an appealing opportunity for investors seeking a stable lifestyle and profitable ventures in Central Europe. Through the Guest Investor Residence Permit, non-EU nationals and their families can obtain long-term legal residence in Hungary, granting full access to the Schengen travel zone.

Benefits of the Hungarian Investor Residence Program

• Fast and efficient route to European residence • Freedom to live and work in Hungary, with visa-free movement across the Schengen Area • No obligation to spend a minimum number of days in the country • Eligibility for the investor’s spouse and dependent children under 18

Eligibility and Investment Routes

Foreign nationals from outside the European Union, along with their immediate family, may qualify for the Guest Investor Residence Permit by choosing one of the following investment categories:

Investment in a Real Estate Fund

Applicants may acquire participation certificates from a real estate investment fund registered with the National Bank of Hungary, with a minimum contribution of EUR 250,000. Conditions for this option include:

• At least 40 percent of the fund’s net assets must consist of residential real estate located in Hungary, although the fund may also hold commercial properties. • The investor must retain ownership of the certificates for at least five years. • Only fund managers with valid financial licenses and defined investment strategies are allowed to operate such funds. • Fund management companies must either possess a site security clearance or be listed with the Constitution Protection Office to handle guest investor applications.

Donation to a Public Trust

Applicants may alternatively make a minimum donation of EUR 1 million to a Hungarian higher education institution managed by a public trust performing state-related functions.

Additional Conditions

Applicants must not be listed in the Schengen Information System for entry bans or alerts, nor pose any threat to public order, security, or national safety. The immigration authority will review each case in consultation with Hungary’s security and law enforcement agencies.

Application Procedure

The first step is to apply for a Guest Investor Visa and declare the intended investment option. Completing the investment is not required at this stage. Once the visa is issued, the applicant must travel to Hungary and finalize the investment within three months. Within 93 days of arrival, the applicant should submit an application for the Guest Investor Residence Permit through the immigration authority or the Enter Hungary online system, together with proof of investment.

After the residence permit is granted, no additional visits to Hungary are required.

Successful applicants and their dependents will receive a long-term residence permit valid for ten years, renewable for another ten years, provided the qualifying investment remains in place.

Pathway to Hungarian Citizenship

To qualify for Hungarian citizenship, holders of the Guest Investor Residence Permit must first obtain long-term resident status after maintaining five years of uninterrupted lawful residence in the country and passing a written cultural knowledge test in Hungarian. Citizenship eligibility arises after eight years of continuous legal residence in Hungary, assuming all statutory conditions are fulfilled.

Professional Services

If you have any questions regarding the information above or wish to use our legal assistance in acquiring residence in Hungary, please contact us today.