Hungary’s Guest Investor Programme (GIP), more commonly known as the Hungary Golden Visa, offers a straightforward path to long-term residence for non-EU nationals and their families.
This article provides a clear, officially sourced overview of the program, what it is, who it’s for, and how the process works. We cut through speculation and outdated rumours, focusing strictly on the legislation and government guidance that define GIP today.
Rather than property speculation or agency marketing, you’ll find practical details backed by Hungarian law and official institutions. From eligibility and investment requirements to your rights once approved, this guide is designed to help you understand exactly what the Golden Visa entails and where it fits within Hungary’s wider residence and citizenship framework.
What Is the Hungary Golden Visa?
The Hungary Golden Visa, officially called the Guest Investor Programme (GIP), is a state-backed route that allows non-EU nationals and their families to secure long-term residence in Hungary through investment.
Applicants first receive a Guest Investor D-visa, which allows them to enter the country for the purpose of finalising their investment. Once the qualifying investment is verified, this converts into a Guest Investor residence permit, normally valid for ten years and renewable.
Unlike some other European residency-by-investment schemes, the GIP is deliberately narrow in scope. At present, only two qualifying investment types exist:
- €250,000 investment into a real estate fund registered with the Hungarian National Bank
- €1,000,000 donation to a recognised higher education foundation
Both options are embedded in Hungarian legislation (Act XC of 2023 and Government Decree 35/2024) and administered by the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing.
The program offers a way to secure residence in an EU or Schengen member state without speculative property purchases or reliance on third-party agencies. It is a rules-based framework grounded in official law and official institutions.
The Benefits of Hungary Golden Visa
The Hungary Golden Visa Program offers a set of clearly defined advantages, anchored in Hungarian law and administered by official authorities.
Unlike many competitors' programs, the benefits are not vague promises but specific rights and guarantees that applicants can rely on.
Note: While the Guest Investor Residence Permit gives long-term stability and Schengen access, it does not provide citizenship automatically.
Transitioning from residence to Hungarian nationality typically requires seven or more years of physical presence, plus language and integration requirements set out in law.
Who Is Eligible for the Hungary Golden Visa?
The Hungarian Golden Visa Program is not open to everyone. The law is clear about who may apply as a guest investor and who counts as eligible family.
Applicants must be non-EU/EEA nationals, of legal age, able to demonstrate the lawful origin of their investment funds, and free of criminal or immigration bans.
Family members are admitted under Hungary’s family reunification framework, covering spouses, registered partners, and dependent children.
Eligibility Checklist for the Main Applicant
- 📅 Age – at least 18 years old
- 🛂 Valid passport – valid throughout the visa period
- 🧾 Lawful funds – proof of the legal origin of the investment capital
- 🏠 Accommodation address – required for residence filings in Hungary
- ⚖️ Clean record – no expulsion order, Schengen entry ban, or serious criminal history
- 🏥 Insurance – comprehensive health cover
Edge Cases
A few situations require closer attention. Adult dependants (such as students over 18 or children with disabilities) may be included if dependence is proven.
Unmarried couples may qualify if they can present the official proof of partnership recognised by Hungarian law.
For children of separated parents, custody documentation is mandatory to ensure the Hungary Golden Visa application is accepted without delays.
Investment Options for the Golden Visa Program
Hungary’s Guest Investor program is tightly defined. Only two investment types are currently valid:
1. €250,000 in units of an MNB-registered real-estate investment fund
This route requires purchasing investment fund units in a vehicle registered by the Hungarian National Bank (MNB) and managed by a firm listed among Hungary’s qualified market operators.
At least 40% of the fund’s net asset value must be held in Hungarian residential real estate, ensuring capital goes into housing rather than speculative assets.
A five-year lock applies. Proof comes via a blocked securities subaccount at a custodian bank. The bank’s confirmation letter must state both the amount invested and the restriction period.
Practical points: applicants typically arrange fund selection and custody setup before or alongside the visa application. The investment must be completed within three months of the visa issue, and investors are obliged to notify the NDGAP if any material changes occur in fund holdings or custody arrangements.
2. €1,000,000 donation to a public-trust higher-education institution
The second qualifying route is a non-refundable donation of at least €1 million to a Hungarian higher education institution maintained by a public-trust foundation. The funds may support education, science, or the arts.
Proof is usually provided by an official receipt or attestation letter from the institution, including the donor’s details, the amount, and confirmation that the funds have been received. If the institution issues documents solely in Hungarian, the immigration file might need certified translations.
Practical points: applicants should select an institution recognised under the legislation, arrange wire transfer evidence in advance, and ensure the receipt is available before the residence permit stage.
❌ Not a route today: €500,000 direct residential property
Many older articles still promote a €500,000 residential property purchase route. In reality, this option was legislated briefly but never entered into force.
The NDGAP’s operational pages today list only the fund and the donation as valid investments.
👉 We expand on the legislative timeline in the Major Recent Changes section below.
How to Apply For the Hungarian GIP
Applying for Hungary’s Guest Investor Programme is a two-phase journey: first securing the D-type visa abroad, then finalising your investment and residence permit in Hungary. Each stage has fixed deadlines and documentation requirements.
Stage 1 — D-type Visa for Guest Investors
Applications start at a Hungarian consulate in your country of nationality or legal residence. The visa is valid for up to six months, allowing multiple entries. You must provide an accommodation address in Hungary (temporary or permanent).
At this stage, you can either:
- Show proof that the qualifying investment has already been completed, or
- Submit a declaration of intent, along with proof of sufficient legal funds to finalise it after arrival.
Expect a consular appointment, biometric collection, and local administrative quirks (e.g., some posts require prior email booking).
Stage 2 — Enter Hungary & Complete Investment
If you declared intent rather than investing before entry, this stage is where you must complete the financial steps:
- Open a Hungarian securities or custody account
- Purchase qualifying fund units and obtain the 5-year lock confirmation or transfer the €1m donation
- Secure official proof (banker’s or institutional letter)
Deadline: Most applicants must complete the investment within 3 months of their first entry, as undertaken at the visa stage.
Stage 3 — Residence Permit Application
Within 30 days of first entry, you must apply for the Guest Investor Residence Permit. Applications are submitted either via the regional NDGAP office in Hungary or online through the Enter Hungary portal.
Core documents include:
- Bank/custodian letter (for fund route) or donation certificate
- Proof of accommodation address
- Valid travel document and insurance
The NDGAP aims to decide within ~21 days (not counting the time you take to submit missing proofs). If approved, the residence card is delivered locally. Initial validity is up to 10 years, with a further 10-year extension available.
From Application to Approval: Typical Timelines
Most applicants follow the same path: prepare documents, secure the D-type Guest Investor visa abroad, finalise the investment in Hungary, then obtain the residence card.
Timeframes vary by consulate capacity and how quickly you complete banking or donation steps, but the outline below is a realistic guide.
Documents & Evidence for the Hungary Golden Visa
When applying for Hungary’s Guest Investor Visa and Residence Permit, the paperwork is divided into two clear stages: the Hungary Golden Visa Application abroad and the residence permit application inside Hungary. Preparing these correctly avoids delays or rejections.
At the Visa Stage
You’ll need to provide:
- Application form – completed and signed.
- Valid passport – with enough validity to cover the visa period.
- Biometric data and passport photo – collected at the consulate.
- Accommodation address in Hungary – hotel booking, lease, or ownership proof.
- Proof of investment or declaration + proof of funds – either a certificate from a fund/university or a signed intent letter supported by a bank statement.
At the Residence Permit Stage
Once in Hungary, you must finalise the investment and apply for the Guest Investor Residence Permit. Documents include:
- Investment proof
- Fund route: a securities-account blocking letter issued by your bank/broker.
- Donation route: receipt or certificate issued by the university foundation.
- Accommodation proof – accepted forms include a lease contract, a title deed, a courtesy accommodation declaration, or a hotel reservation.
- Translations and apostilles – required only where the law explicitly demands; most core documents can be filed in Hungarian or English.
- Any consulate-specific extras – some posts may request additional photocopies or localised forms, so always check with the mission handling your case.
Callout: Anatomy of a Fund Blocking Letter
For applicants choosing the €250,000 fund investment, the securities-account blocking letter is a cornerstone document. It must:
- Be issued by the financial institution holding your securities account.
- State explicitly that €250,000 (or more) in qualifying fund units is blocked for a minimum of five years.
- Identify the account by number and holder’s full name.
- Confirm the irrevocability of the blocking period (no withdrawal before the term expires).
- Carry authorised signatures and institutional identifiers to ensure authenticity.
Hungary Golden Visa Official Fees & Costs
Only the government fees are published here. Professional or commercial service costs vary widely and are excluded.
Note that consulate fees may differ slightly by post; applicants should always confirm the current amount directly with the mission or on the NDGAP/Enter Hungary portals.
Processing Time & Validity
- Visa (D-type): Issuance times vary by consulate and season, but once granted, the visa is valid for up to 6 months and allows multiple entries to Hungary. Use this window to travel, open accounts, and finalise the qualifying investment if you haven't already.
- Residence permit: After you enter Hungary and file the application, typical processing is around 21 days. This estimate excludes any time you take to supply missing evidence (e.g., the bank’s 5-year lock letter or the university’s receipt) and any formal “deficiency remedy” period granted by the authority.
- Validity of the residence permit: The Guest Investor residence permit is issued for up to 10 years. It can later be extended once for up to a further 10 years provided the purpose and statutory conditions continue to be met.
Rights & Limitations
The Hungary Guest Investor Residence Permit gives you and your family a wide set of rights, but it also comes with clear obligations.
These are the points you’ll want to show an HR office, school, or bank clerk to prove your rights and what you must keep current.
After Approval: Hungary Golden Visa Compliance Checklist
Even after approval, Guest Investor permit holders must follow strict rules to keep their status valid.
The list below covers the eight most significant compliance points and risks, useful for investors, HR teams, and financial partners.
Pathways to Permanent Residence & Citizenship
Holding a Hungary Golden Visa is a valuable first step, but it does not bypass Hungary’s ordinary rules for permanent residence or naturalisation.
Investors should view it as a long-term residence title, not as a fast track to citizenship.
Permanent Residence (PR)
Guest Investor permits can later transition into Hungary’s standard long-term statuses, such as the National Residence Card or the EU Long-Term Residence Permit. These require:
- Residence time: generally five years of continuous lawful stay in Hungary.
- Integration: proof of genuine links to Hungary (employment, family, tax residence).
- Language: basic knowledge of Hungarian may be expected, especially for the EU Long-Term Residence.
The rules for PR are set out separately from the Guest Investor framework and can change.
Citizenship
Hungarian citizenship follows the ordinary naturalisation route. This usually requires:
- Residence: at least eight years of continuous residence (shorter in some family or refugee cases, but not for investors).
- Language: passing a Hungarian language exam.
- Integration: demonstrating knowledge of Hungary’s constitution and way of life.
There is no “fast track” for Guest Investors. The residence permit helps you meet the lawful residence requirement, but citizenship applications are judged by the same standards as any other foreign resident.
Major Recent Changes in the Hungarian GIP
Below is a concise, reader-friendly record of the biggest official changes and clarifications to Hungary’s Guest Investor Program.
How Hungary Compares to Other Golden Visa Programs
Hungary’s Golden Visa stands out for its simplicity and long permit validity, but how does it compare to other popular residency-by-investment routes?
Here’s a quick look at key differences with the main alternatives.
- Portugal Golden Visa: Portugal closed its real estate route in 2023. Today, the focus is on fund investments, cultural donations, and business activities. The minimum stays are light (7 days per year), but permits are issued for shorter initial periods (2 years).
- Italy Investor Visa: Italy offers flexible options (€250k in start-ups, €500k in companies, €2m in bonds, or €1m in donations). Permits are valid for 2 years, renewable for 3. No fund lock rules like Hungary’s, but heavier tax residency questions if you relocate.
- Malta Residency by Investment (MPRP): A permanent residence framework, not a temporary visa. It necessitates a government contribution, a donation, and the lease or purchase of property. The upfront cost is higher than Hungary’s €250k route but grants permanent status from day one.
- EB-5 Visa (USA): A path to the US Green Card through an $800k–$1,050,000 investment in job-creating projects. Although it is significantly more costly and has a lengthy backlog, it is unique in that it provides direct permanent residence and a pathway to citizenship.
- Cyprus Permanent Residence (Reg. 6(2)): Requires at least €300k in property, plus proof of income. It leads to permanent residency rather than a temporary visa. Lower capital outlay than Hungary’s donation, but lacks the 10-year renewable permit structure.
- Greece Golden Visa: Still property-focused, with thresholds starting at €250k in some areas (rising to €800k in hotspots). Permits are valid for 5 years, renewable indefinitely while property is held. Unlike Hungary, there is no donation option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
The Hungary Golden Visa (Guest Investor Programme) is intentionally simple: two qualifying routes, clear deadlines, long validity, and straightforward rights for you and your family.
The trade-off is precision: funds must meet strict criteria; documents must say exactly the right things; and timelines matter. If you prepare well at the visa stage and line up your banking or donation steps early, the residence permit process is usually smooth.
How Movingto helps: we keep your plan official-source first and marketing-free. We map your route (fund or donation), pre-vet evidence (e.g., fund lock letters, accommodation proof), coordinate the visa vs. residence timing, and connect you with vetted local counsel and financial institutions. The result is a compliant file, fewer surprises, and faster decisions.
Ready to Secure Your Hungary Golden Visa?
At Movingto, we offer independent, official-source guidance on the Hungary Guest Investor Programme, compare EU residency options where relevant, and connect you with vetted legal and banking partners — with support throughout the visa and residence permit stages.
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