Hungary Residence by Investment in 2026: The Complete Guide to Obtaining the «Golden Visa»

European “Golden Visa” programs are changing rapidly. Portugal closed its real estate investment route, and Greece raised minimum thresholds to €800,000 in popular areas. Against this backdrop, Hungary has launched one of the most attractive programs in the EU – the Guest Investor Programme (GIP) – which was officially opened to applicants on 1 July 2024.

The main difference of the Hungarian program is the validity period of the residence permit. While most European countries issue residence permits for 2–5 years, Hungary grants a 10‑year residence permit with the possibility of extension for another 10 years. This is the longest period among all active investment programs in Europe.

In this article, we will thoroughly examine all aspects of obtaining Hungarian residence by investment in 2026: available investment options, requirements for applicants, step‑by‑step application process, required documents, as well as potential risks and important nuances you should know before starting the process.

The Guest Investor Residence Permit (GIP) is an official state immigration initiative for citizens of non‑EU/EEA countries who are willing to make a financial contribution to the Hungarian economy. It provides foreign investors with a long‑term residence permit in exchange for qualifying investments.

This is not a short‑term visa or a temporary permit that requires annual renewal. GIP gives full resident status with the right to live, work, conduct business, access the banking system and social services in Hungary, as well as visa‑free travel within the Schengen Area.

It is important to note that in 2025 the Hungarian government decided to suspend the option of direct real estate purchase of €500,000 due to concerns about rising housing prices, which would limit the availability of housing for the local population.

Today, the program offers two legal ways to obtain residence by investment:

Option 1: Investment in a real estate fund (main and most popular route)

• Minimum investment amount: from €250,000
• Essence: acquisition of units in a real estate investment fund registered and regulated by the Hungarian Central 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
• Advantages: the lowest entry threshold among active European programs, passive income (potential fund returns can reach 5‑6% per year), no need to manage personal property

Important: Currently, only a few 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 undergo approval and join the program.

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, or those who for some reason cannot use the fund option

Option 3: Direct real estate purchase (suspended)

It is important to emphasise: as of January 2025, the possibility of obtaining residence by direct real estate purchase from €500,000 is officially suspended. This option was included in the original version of the law, but the Hungarian government decided not to implement it due to fears of excessive pressure on the housing market.

Main requirements for the applicant

To be eligible for the Guest Investor Programme, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

1. Citizenship: not be a citizen of an EU/EEA country. Citizens of Russia, Belarus, CIS countries and other states may participate in the program.
2. Age of the investor: at least 18 years old.
3. Health insurance: a valid health insurance policy.
4. Proof of source of income and funds.
5. Proof of accommodation: evidence of a place of residence in Hungary.

Inclusion of family members

One of the main advantages of the program is the ability to include all immediate relatives in the application:

• Spouse
• Minor children under 18 years old
• Adult children (subject to financial dependence*)
• Parents
• An additional fee is paid for each dependent family member

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 you obtain second citizenship by investment. Read more here.

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:

Step 1: Initial consultation and choice of investment instrument

At this stage, it is important to determine the most suitable investment option based on your financial capabilities, goals and time frame. Our specialist helps assess the risks, profitability and legal aspects of the chosen option.

Step 2: Due diligence and document collection

This is a key stage where a thorough check is carried out:

• Legality of funds (Source of Funds, SoF)
• Compliance with all formal program requirements

Document collection includes obtaining and certifying certificates.

Step 3: Obtaining a Guest Investor Visa

Applicants who need a visa to enter Hungary must apply for a Guest Investor Visa.

The procedure includes:

• In‑person submission of the application
• Providing biometric data (fingerprints, photo)
• Payment of the consular fee
• Waiting for a decision – approximately 21 days

Step 4: Entering Hungary and making the investment

After receiving the investor visa, you enter Hungary. The legislation gives a few months from the date of visa issuance to make the qualifying investment. However, the investment can be made immediately under certain conditions.

The investment process itself includes signing a contract and transferring funds of €250,000 (or €1,000,000 if you choose the charitable option).

Step 5: Submitting the application for a residence permit

Within a few months from the date of visa issuance, you must submit an application for a 10‑year Hungarian residence permit for guest investors. The application and documents can be submitted by our experts under a power of attorney.

• At this stage, the full package of documents is submitted.

Step 6: Application review and receipt of the residence card

The Hungarian immigration authorities review the application within 21 days. If the decision is positive, you will be issued a plastic resident card – the Residence Permit Card – valid for 10 years.

Important note: if your Guest Investor Visa expires while your application is being processed, we can help you continue your stay in Hungary until a decision is made.

For a successful application, you will need to prepare the following package of 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 of all filled pages)
• Birth certificates (for all included family members)
• Marriage certificate (if including a spouse)
• Photographs 3.5×4.5 cm (matte paper, meeting biometric requirements)
• Proof of place of residence in Hungary (various options available)
• Financial documents
• And many other documents, depending on your situation.

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 out which documents need to be provided during a consultation with our immigration expert.

For applicants from Russia and Belarus, there is enhanced control over the origin of funds with deeper due diligence. It is recommended to prepare all possible supporting documents in advance.

You can also find out which documents are needed for the investment during our consultation. Book a consultation here.

1. Validity period of the residence permit: 10 years

Hungary issues a residence permit for 10 years immediately – this is the longest term among all investment programs in Europe. For comparison: Greece issues up to 5 years, Portugal – 2 years. After 10 years, the permit can be extended for another 10 years under certain conditions.

2. No minimum stay requirement

You are not obliged to physically reside in Hungary to maintain resident status. This is a unique feature of the program that allows you to use the residence permit as a “back‑up option” and a tool for free movement within the EU while continuing to live and work in another country.

3. Right to work and do business

Unlike many other European programs (where the residence permit prohibits employment), the Hungarian residence permit gives you the full right to legal employment and starting a business in Hungary. With a Hungarian residence permit, you can also open bank accounts in Hungarian and European banks.

4. Free movement within the Schengen Area

With a Hungarian residence permit, you can freely travel to all 29 Schengen Agreement countries without the need to obtain additional visas.

5. Path to permanent residence and citizenship

After 3 years of living in Hungary, you can apply for permanent residence. After a few more years of legal stay, the path to Hungarian citizenship opens.

6. Favourable tax regime

Hungary offers one of the most attractive tax regimes in the EU:

• Corporate income tax – 9% (one of the lowest in the European Union)

7. Inclusion of parents

Parents of the applicant of any age can be included in the residence permit application, which is a significant advantage compared to many other European programs.

8. Low entry threshold

The minimum investment amount of €250,000 makes the Hungarian program one of the most affordable in Europe. For comparison: in Greece, the minimum threshold in popular areas reaches €800,000.

For clarity, here is a comparison of the Hungarian program with key competitors in Europe (valid for 2026):

Hungary wins on the residence permit term and the absence of stay requirements, but lags behind Greece in terms of investment flexibility and the entry threshold in some regions.

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 1‑2 months or more depending on the complexity of your financial structure. Do not postpone this stage until the last moment.

✅ 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. Our specialists carry out a full preliminary check of each document before submission.

✅ Get advice on choosing an investment fund

Currently, only a few accredited funds are available. Each has its own investment strategy, risk level and potential return. Our task is to help you choose the best option based on your financial goals.

✅ Prepare for physical presence

Given the need for in‑person submission, plan your trips to Hungary in advance. The Guest Investor Visa is valid for 6 months, during which you must make the investment and submit the residence permit application. Under certain conditions, you can first make the investment and then immediately apply for the Hungarian residence by investment.

✅ Monitor political changes

The Hungarian “Golden Visa” program (Guest Investor Programme) is one of the most attractive investment immigration products on the European market in 2026. The 10‑year validity, absence of a minimum stay requirement, the right to work and do business, as well as the inclusion of parents in the application, make it particularly interesting for wealthy investors who wish to obtain long‑term status in the EU without significant changes to their lifestyle.

Our Hungarian consulting company, IST Hungary, has many years of experience in supporting investment immigration to Hungary. We offer a full range of 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

You can contact us to get an individual consultation on your situation and start your journey towards a 10‑year residence permit in one of the most dynamically developing countries of the European Union.

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, you can contact our qualified specialists.

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