Hungary Golden Visa 2026: requirements of the Guest Investor Program

Hungary's Golden Visa is officially called the guest investor residence permit (vendégbefektetői tartózkodási engedély). It has been available since 1 July 2024 to third-country (non-EEA) nationals who invest at least EUR 250,000 in units of a registered real estate investment fund, or donate at least EUR 1,000,000 to a higher education institution. The permit is valid for up to 10 years and can be renewed once for up to another 10 years.

What is the Guest Investor Program?

The program was introduced by Act XC of 2023 on the entry and residence of third-country nationals. The act entered into force on 1 January 2024, and the guest investor residence permit has been available since 1 July 2024. Its purpose is to allow foreigners who make a significant investment in Hungary to reside in the country long term with minimal administration.

The permit grants residence, not citizenship. Hungarian citizenship cannot be obtained directly through investment.

Which investments qualify for the Hungarian Golden Visa?

The law currently recognises two routes.

1. Real estate investment fund: at least EUR 250,000

• The units must be purchased in a real estate investment fund registered by the Hungarian National Bank (MNB).
• At least 40% of the fund's net asset value must consist of residential property in Hungary.
• The units must be held for at least 5 years in a blocked securities sub-account.
• The fund manager must be on the list of qualified market participants. According to Portfolio, two fund managers had been approved as of May 2025.

2. Donation: at least EUR 1,000,000

The donation must go to a higher education institution maintained by a public interest trust foundation, for educational, research or artistic purposes. It is non-refundable, but no new investment is needed to renew the permit.

Why buying a home directly no longer qualifies

The original text of the law included a third option: the direct purchase of residential property in Hungary worth at least EUR 500,000. That option never went live. Act LXXXIV of 2024 rewrote the relevant provision, so since 30 December 2024 a direct home purchase does not qualify for the guest investor permit.

This is worth stressing because many foreign information sites still advertise the EUR 500,000 property route in 2026. That information is out of date.

This does not mean that program participants cannot buy property in Budapest. The permit and buying your own home are two separate decisions: the right of residence comes from the fund investment or the donation, while the purchase of an apartment or villa follows the general rules for foreign buyers. We cover those in detail in our guide to buying property in Budapest as a foreigner.

How long is the permit valid and what does it allow?

For the fund route, renewal requires that the investor still holds the units. A permit based on a donation can be renewed without a new investment.

How does the application work?

1. Apply for a guest investor visa at a consulate, with proof of the investment or a written commitment and proof of funds. The visa is valid for 6 months, allows multiple entries and cannot be extended.
2. Enter Hungary.
3. Submit the residence permit application in person within 30 days of entry, including biometrics.
4. Upload proof of the investment through the Enter Hungary system.
5. Decision and issue of the residence card.

Sources differ on the deadline for proving the investment. Under the act, it must be proven within the validity of the visa, or within 6 months of entry for visa-exempt nationals, while the OIF FAQ mentions 3 months. It is worth confirming this with an immigration lawyer for your specific case.

Does it lead to citizenship or permanent residence?

Citizenship cannot be obtained through investment. Under the act, an EU long-term residence permit requires five years of continuous lawful residence, and guest investors are not among the excluded groups. As the guest investor permit has no minimum stay requirement, whether the continuous residence condition is met should be assessed individually with a legal adviser.

Who should consider it?

The program is aimed mainly at non-EU investors who want a stable right of residence in the European Union and take a long term view of the Hungarian property market. According to HVG, 109 applications had been received and 11 permits issued by the end of September 2024, so the program reaches a small, well capitalised group.

If, alongside the residence permit, you are looking for your own home in Budapest or a property to let, we are happy to help. Our page for investors explains how we select and manage properties suitable for letting.

Frequently asked questions