New Hungarian Guest Investor Program (Hungarian Golden Visa)

The Program

What is the Hungarian Guest Investor Program?

Hungarian Parliament adopted a new regulation introducing 'guest investor residency' in Hungary. This program offers 10 years of residence under preferential conditions for investors. The minimum investment is 250,000, and the investment is due after approval.

Is the Hungarian Guest Investor Program approved by the Hungarian government?

Yes. A law, billed on 9 December 2023 and modified on 11th May 2024, offers 10-year residency in Hungary for non-EU nationals willing to invest in Hungary.

What are the benefits of the Hungarian program?

• The main advantage is that you and your family (including minor children) become legal residents in Hungary, a member country of the European Union and Schengen Agreement. That means you all can travel freely within Schengen countries in Europe (Schengen visa).
• You only invest after approval. Property investment is highly profitable.
• The program does not require any minimum in-country stays to maintain or renew the residency.

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Application

How can I apply?

Please carefully read all the information presented on this website. Please fill in the free quote form if you would like to get a Hungarian residence permit. You will receive additional information and a detailed step-by-step guide about the Hungarian Guest Investor Program.

What are the requirements?

You can apply for the Guest Investor Program and get your residence permit if you meet the requirements.

In simple words:

• Be a citizen of a non-EU country and have a valid passport,
• Be able to invest at least EUR 250,000,
• Be able to pass an essential national security check by the Hungarian authority,
• Make the investment within 6 months.
• Have enough money to stay in Hungary.

Will I indeed get a Hungarian residence permit if I apply?

We at RCP always do due diligence before we sign any agreement, this is why we have 100% success rate. If you do not meet the requirements or we find something in your background, we do not take you on board.

Can my family be included?

Yes. Your spouse and minor children can be included in the Program based on your investment. This means that you and your family can file the applications all together. Please note that you must file official documents evidencing your family relationships.

Your children above 18 and other relatives may also participate in the program based on their independent investments.

You may contact us to find tailor-made solutions for you and your family.

Should I have a Hungarian address?

You should have a residential address if you want a Hungarian address card, which is generally used in Hungary, e.g. for bank account opening and other administrative procedures. If you invest in property, you can use the property as a residential address.

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Investment

What are the investment options?

Foreigners should invest between €250,000 and €1 million to be eligible.

Real estate investment (usually the most popular investment option in the world) requires investing at least €500,000 in a residential property – industrial and commercial property aren’t qualifiable investments. This is a safe and profitable investment option.

Investors who prefer to pay less for the golden visa may qualify by investing €250,000 in a dedicated real estate fund. You will not get any profit, and the government does not guarantee investment.

Applicants may also select to donate €1 million to public interest projects to Hungarians, channelled through designated asset management foundations.

Which is the best investment option?

We recommend investing in real estate. It is a safe and profitable investment. In the last nine years, between Q1 2014 and Q1 2023, there was a 231% increase in residential property prices, which means that the annualised yield from the value growth was over 14%. In addition, if you rent out your property, you may have 4% net profit each year. See Make a Profitable Property Investment in Hungary

How long should I keep my investment?

You should keep your investment for at least 5 years. However, if you want to renew your residency after 10 years, we recommend keeping your investment for 10 years.

Are there any hidden costs?

No. Our processing fee includes the government fee, legal and professional fees and other related costs. Still, it does not include the property transaction stamp duty. The government regulates the amount of the minimum processing fee.

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Residence permit

What is the difference between temporary and permanent residence?

A Hungarian residence permit grants a foreigner the right to reside in Hungary. The temporary residence permit is limited in time (usually 1-5 years), while the permanent residence permit is issued for your life. Having a Hungarian residence permit, valid for 10 years, allows you to travel in Europe and obtain visas to other countries, e.g., the USA or the UK.

What rights am I entitled to after receiving a Hungarian residence permit?

Hungarian residency offers all the rights and benefits citizens enjoy in Hungary, with some notable exceptions, such as not being eligible to vote in national government elections or holding a Hungarian passport. The Hungarian residence permit holder may live, stay, and work in Hungary. Your children are entitled to attend Hungarian public schools.

You can travel and stay 90 days out of 180 days within the Schengen area with a Hungarian residence permit.

Is the Hungarian residence permit an ID card?

Yes, it is.

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Other questions

I need a Hungarian passport. What time should I wait to be a Hungarian citizen?

You should live in Hungary for 8 years.  

Should I also pay tax in Hungary?

No, you should not. You are a subject of the Hungarian tax system only if you stay in Hungary for more than 182 days in 12 months.

Should I live in Hungary to keep my residence permit?

No, you should not.