Obtaining a Guest Investor Visa is a mandatory step for investors aiming to become Hungarian residents. This visa enables candidates to enter Hungary, fulfil the investment requirements, and then apply for residency.
The conditions for the Golden Visa are specified in the Immigration Regulations concerning the entry and residence of third-country nationals, which were implemented in January 2024. Visa applications are processed by the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (OIF) of Hungary.
To be eligible for the visa, an investor has to meet the following requirements:
- be a non-EU and non-EEA citizen;
- prove the legitimacy of their income;
- demonstrate an intention to invest in the Hungarian economy;
- have health insurance or money to cover potential medical expenses;
- prove possession of adequate means of subsistence for the entire duration of their stay in Hungary;
- not pose a threat to Hungary’s national policy, social security, national security, or public healthcare.
Validity and applicants’ rights. The Guest Investor Visa is classified as a Type D visa, allowing its holder multiple entries into Hungary with the possibility to stay for more than 90 days within any 180-day period. The visa is issued for a maximum duration of 2 years and is not eligible for extension. Upon entering Hungary with a Guest Investor Visa, candidates seeking Hungarian residency have 93 days to complete their investment in the chosen option and to apply for a residence permit.
The visa becomes invalid under two conditions:
- if the investor fails to meet the investment requirement within the allotted timeframe;
- when the investor successfully secures a residence permit.
Investing and obtaining residency. Following the issuance of a Guest Investor Visa, investors can proceed to the next step towards residency by choosing one of the three investment options outlined in the legislation:
- Purchasing units in a real estate fund for €250,000 or more.
- Investing in residential property for €500,000 or more.
- Making a charitable donation to a higher education institution for €1,000,000 or more.
The Hungary residence permit by investment is valid for 10 years. It grants the applicant and their family the rights to relocate to Hungary, work, and engage in business on par with Hungarian citizens. Importantly, residing in Hungary is not mandatory to maintain this status.
The investor can extend their residency in Hungary. This can be done once for an additional 10 years provided that the applicant meets the same conditions they fulfilled for the initial residence permit: holds real estate fund units for at least €250,000 or residential property for at least €500,000. Contributors to an institution of higher learning are granted the extension automatically.
