Kossuth Lajos utca 7-9, Budapest, Hungary, 1053

Hungarian investment funds

Featuring a 30-year history of investment funds, Hungary offers a wide range of fund types to choose from. Learn about available opportunities in detail and explore the benefits of investing in Hungarian funds as a foreigner.

800+

Available investment funds

20% of the GDP

Aggregate assets of Hungarian funds

€51 bln

The total net asset value of investment funds

€250,000+

The minimum investment for obtaining residency

The economy of Hungary at a glance

Major economic indicators. According to the World Bank, Hungary is regarded as a high-income country. The country’s total Gross Domestic Product is $245 billion, and the GDP per capita is $24,810. Both indicators are anticipated to grow in the next few years.

Before 2022, consumer price inflation in Hungary averaged 3.3% per year, which was about 2.3 times less than Eastern Europe’s average. Years 2022 and 2023 showed a surge of inflation in Hungary, with average rates of 14.6% and 17.1%, respectively. However, in 2024, the rate started to decrease, and by March 2025, it had dropped to 4.7%.

International economic relations. Hungary is open to global trade. In 2023, total exports reached $150 billion, showing a 4.5% increase from 2022. The country’s key trading partners include Germany, Italy and Romania within the EU, and the United States outside the EU.

Hungary promotes foreign direct investments. In 2022, the amount of invested capital reached €6.5 billion, which doubled to €13 billion in 2023. In 2024, the figure was €10.3 billion, resulting in 18,500 new jobs.

At the end of 2023, the Hungarian Government announced a new program for individual foreign investors called the Hungary Golden Visa.

In July 2024, the program started to accept first applications.

Dynamics of the Hungarian GDP per capita compared to the EU average

Hungary investment funds 2024

The growth rate of the GDP per capita of Hungary is comparable to the average rate in the European Union. Source: International Monetary Fund

3 reasons to purchase Hungarian investment fund units

Positive forecasts for the economy

In the recent five years, the economy of Hungary increased from 69% to 74.7% of the EU average. The economic growth rate is expected to rise from 0.6% in 2024 to 3.1% in 2026.

Stable income potential

Except for interest income, all other types of gains of Hungarian funds, including property income, income from rent, and dividend income, showed a significant increase in 2010—2021.

Opportunity to obtain a Golden Visa

Investors in the Hungarian real estate fund units can become residents of the country. To qualify, they need to purchase a fund unit share for €250,000 or more.

Overview of investment funds in Hungary

First Hungarian investment funds appeared in 1992 and were represented by securities funds. By the end of the year, their assets were about 0.2% of the GDP. Funds’ total assets doubled annually and rose from 0.24% to 4.27% of the GDP between 1992 and 2001. In 2010, aggregate assets amounted to 14.4% of the country’s GDP, and by 2022, this value reached 20%.

The number of investment funds in Hungary increased modestly but steadily in the first 10 years. The 2000s and 2010s saw a significant increase in the number of operating investment funds. By the beginning of 2001, there were 94 funds, while in 2021, this figure increased to 820.

Hungarian legislation allows investment funds to hold all kinds of assets, including cash and deposits, debt securities, loans, shares and other equities, investment fund shares, financial derivatives, and non-financial assets such as real estate.

Investment funds available to foreigners seeking a Hungary residence permit must be government-approved.

Number of investment funds in Hungary in 2001—2021

Alternative investment funds Hungary 2025

At the end of 2021, a total of 820 investment funds operated in Hungary

By April 2025, Hungary has approved two real estate investment funds for the Hungarian Golden Visa:

The SPRINT Hungary Real Estate Development and Investment Fund is a closed-end fund managed by SPRINT ASSET Hungária Zrt. Investors pay an annual management fee of 2.5% of net asset value. Upon entry, there is an administrative fee of over €65,000 and a commission of €5,000.

The Gravitas Hungary Real Estate Fund is an open-end fund managed by Gránit Alapkezelő. The company plans to buy new, modern residential properties and rent them out long-term. Management fees and commissions have not been published yet.

Several more investment funds’ applications for approval are still pending.

Comprehensive Guide on Hungary Golden Visa

Comprehensive Guide on Hungary Golden Visa

  • Benefits of Hungarian residency
  • Available investment options
  • Requirements to applicants
  • Step-by-step process

9 categories of investment funds in Hungary

1. Money market funds

Funds offer high liquidity, diversification, and returns above bank deposit rates. The capital is invested in short-term bonds and bank deposits.

Shares can be redeemed at any time without losing income, so such funds can be an alternative to bank deposits.

The capital is invested in bonds with maturity periods ranging between 6 months and 3 years.

Shares can be sold at any time, but this type is used to commit funds over the course of a year. Investments involve higher risk than in money market funds.

This type is used for long-term investments. Up to 80% of the portfolio is typically composed of various companies’ shares.

Risks are high: returns can be both significant and negative, depending on the market situation. To reduce risks and increase return, investments should be held for 5 to 7 years.

These are a mix of bond and equity funds and may include shares of other funds. The returns may exceed those of government securities.

There are three categories depending on the risk: conservative, balanced, and dynamic. The term of funds range from 1 to 7 years.

These funds guarantee that by a specific date all the shares will reach a specific value. Some funds may also promise guaranteed returns.

Capital is invested in equity, bond, and index funds. To claim the guarantee, one needs to hold shares until maturity. Otherwise, significant losses are possible.

To achieve a higher level of return, such funds hold derivative products — market products whose value depends on the price of another one. Risks highly depend on the price of underlying products.

These funds feature active portfolio management that allows responding to any market event.

The capital of Hungary real estate investment funds is invested in the following: 

  • residential and commercial property — both domestic and foreign;
  • industrial parks;
  • shares in real estate companies;
  • property rights;
  • items needed for the intended use, operation, or maintenance of the property.

Up to 20% of the capital accounts for other funds investing in the real estate market or exclusively in liquid assets.

Funds of this type finance start-ups facing high growth at their early stage.

The key feature is a higher level of risk along with higher expected returns.

Such funds finance the acquisition of companies whose shares are offered exclusively to professional investors.

Fund shares cannot be redeemed within five years of the initial investment date.

Initiate the process now: ensure your Golden Visa spot is secured within the quota

Getting a Hungary residency as an investor in real estate fund units

Real estate funds in Hungary experienced significant capital inflows in recent years. To further develop the sector and attract foreign direct investors, the Hungarian government announced a Guest Investor residence permit for purchasing real estate fund units.

Requirements

Participation in the program is possible for applicants who meet the following conditions:

  • are over 18;
  • are non-EU and non-EEA citizens;
  • have a clean criminal record;
  • purchase health insurance;
  • possess a legal source of income.
  • with second citizenship if US nationals.

To qualify for residency, investors in real estate fund units have to purchase a share of at least €250,000. The chosen fund should be registered with the Hungarian National Bank and have at least 40% of its assets invested in residential real estate in Hungary.

The investment is proved by a share certificate issued under the applicant’s name with a 5-year validity period.

Family inclusion

The investor’s family can obtain residency together with the main applicant. Residence permits are available to:

  • a spouse or registered partner;
  • children under 25;
  • parents.

Adult children must be students, unmarried, and financially dependent on the investor. They are granted 3-year residence permits, which can be extended for an additional 3 years.

Parents must be dependent on the investor, with their income coming solely from pensions.

If family members are US citizens, they must hold a second passport.

Permit validity and extension

Hungary residence permits by investment in real estate fund units are granted for 10 years. Golden Visa holders are not required to move to Hungary to maintain residency.

Applicants need to hold fund units for a minimum of five years. After that, the share can be redeemed, and the investment is returned.

The permit can be extended once for an additional 10 years. To qualify for an extension, the applicant needs to make a new investment in real estate fund units for €250,000 and provide the corresponding certificate.

Alternative option

Apart from purchasing real estate fund units, investors may donate over €1,000,000 to an institution of higher learning.

The donation is non-refundable. Residence permits granted under this option are extended without additional conditions.

Over the years, I have diversified my investment portfolio across various sectors. Recently, I decided to explore international opportunities, and, among others, my investment consultant advised me to look at the Hungarian real estate market, which was on an upward trajectory.

As I didn’t plan to buy property abroad, my choice was to purchase a share in a real estate fund. The fund I selected had an impressive track record, strategic asset acquisitions, and the potential for high returns. Additionally, the fund management team promptly answered all my queries and provided quarterly reports detailing the performance of my investment.

The fund has consistently performed well, even surpassing my initial expectations. The diverse portfolio, including commercial and residential properties, ensured a balanced risk-return profile.

Ahmed El-Sayed, 43

A businessman and investor from Egypt

Rights of investors purchasing real estate fund units

Investors who contribute to GIP funds are granted rights that ensure protection, transparency, and the potential for returns. These rights are based on Hungarian law and EU financial regulations. The Hungarian National Bank supervises their enforcement.

Indirect ownership rights. When investing in a Hungarian real estate fund, investors acquire units that represent a proportional interest in the fund’s assets and liabilities. A licensed fund manager handles the portfolio based on the fund’s strategy. Investors do not select or manage the properties.

Right to returns. Investors receive a share of the income generated by the fund. This may include:

  • rental income from leased properties;
  • interest from real estate-backed loans;
  • capital gains from the sale of assets.

Redemption rights. Investors may redeem their investment after a certain holding period. For the Golden Visa program participants, this period is five years.

Transparency and reporting rights. Investors receive regular and detailed updates on fund operations. These include:

  • quarterly or annual financial reports;
  • asset valuation updates;
  • performance and holdings statements;
  • details of major changes in strategy or management.


Limited voting and governance rights. Unlike shareholders in a traditional company, fund investors usually have limited influence over daily management decisions. However, major changes — such as amendments to the fund’s strategy, mergers, or liquidation — may require investor approval.

How to get a Hungary Golden Visa step-by-step

Obtaining a Hungary Golden Visa takes at least 5 months. First, investors receive Guest Investor Visas. These are valid for 6 months and allow travel to Hungary. After entering the country, investors purchase fund units or make a donation and apply for residence permits.

It is advisable to address immigration agents to ensure the process runs smoothly.

1. Find an agent

Seek assistance from a qualified professional who can guide you through the steps to obtaining residency by investment in Hungary.

Your agent will conduct a Due Diligence check to determine whether there are any obstacles to obtaining Hungarian residency.

The investor needs to select the most suitable option depending on their goals and situation.

The Guest Investor Visa is required to enter Hungary to invest and apply for residency. The visa is granted for a period of up to 6 months and obtained via an Embassy or Consulate of Hungary in the applicant’s country of residency.

If the applicant comes from a country with a visa-free waiver with Hungary, this step is skipped.

An application for a residence permit can only be submitted within Hungary. Investors must enter the country on the Guest Investor Visa within 6 months of obtaining it.

In Hungary, investors sign an agreement with a fund or higher education institution and submit their residence permit applications. This can be done either online via the Enter Hungary portal or in person at the regional migration office.

Investors have 3 months after entering Hungary with the Guest Investor Visa to purchase fund units or make a donation to a university.

Permit applications are processed within 21—30 days, and residence permit cards are issued within 7 days after approval. The cards are sent to the investor’s address in Hungary, as indicated in the application.

It is also possible to receive cards in person at the migration office, but the applicant needs to prove that they cannot receive the documents by post.

Benefits of the Hungary Golden Visa

Visa-free travel within the Schengen Area

Low cost of living

Opportunities for tax optimisation

Access to high-quality healthcare and education

The ability to open accounts in European banks

Frequently asked questions

Purchasing a share in a Hungarian investment fund is one of the best options for those who do not want to actively participate in the investment process and want to have a well-balanced portfolio. It allows investing in the Hungarian real estate market without purchasing property. 

Investors in Hungarian real estate funds can obtain 10-year residency in the country.

Hungary promotes foreign direct investments: in 2022, the amount of invested capital reached €6.5 billion, which doubled to €13 billion in 2023.

At the end of 2023, the Hungarian Government announced a new program for individual foreign investors called the Guest Investor Visa.

To qualify for residency, third-country nationals must make an investment in the Hungarian economy under one of the available options:

Residency is granted for 10 years and can be extended once for the same period. The investor’s family, including a spouse or registered partner, children under 25, and parents, can get residency together with the main applicant.

Hungary is regarded as a high-income country with a stable economy. The country’s GDP per capita ranks 47th worldwide and reached the value of $23,000 by the end of 2023. 

Despite a slowdown and a slight decrease in Q3 2023, the Hungarian economy is expected to grow by 2.5—3.5% in 2024.

Foreign investors in the Hungarian economy can claim residency under the Golden Visa program. To qualify, they need to invest in real estate fund units or make a donation. The Golden Visa will be granted for 10 years.

One of the investment options available to foreigners in Hungary is purchasing a share in an investment fund.

The Hungarian fund market offers a wide range of fund categories, including money market funds, bond funds, equity funds, mixed funds, guaranteed or protected funds, derivative investment funds, real estate funds, venture capital and private equity funds, and other funds.

All the investment funds differ in terms of assets, return potential, and risk profile.

Investors in Hungarian real estate funds registered with the Hungarian National Bank can obtain 10-year residency. To qualify, investors must buy a share for at least €250,000.

Foreigners can get a Golden Visa if they invest in a Hungarian real estate fund registered with the Hungarian National Bank. The minimum investment is €250,000.

The Hungarian Golden Visa fund is a state-approved real estate fund. Purchasing a share of at least €250,000 in such a fund allows a foreigner to obtain a 10-year residence permit in Hungary.

Two investment funds — the SPRINT Hungary Real Estate Development and Investment Fund and the Gravitas Hungary Real Estate Fund — have already been approved for the Hungary Golden Visa. Several more applications are pending.

Get in touch today

Our team assists international clients in navigating the process, minimising risks, and safeguarding their finances. Submit an application to discover strategies to secure your Hungary Golden Visa.