Guest Investor Residence Permit

The Guest Investor Residence Permit (vendégbefektetői tartózkodási engedély) is Hungary's residence-by-investment program, often called the "Hungarian Golden Visa." Established under Act XC of 2023 and effective from 1 July 2024, it is administered by the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (OIF). The program targets non-EEA third-country nationals whose qualifying investments serve Hungary's national economic interest, granting long-term residence with full employment rights in Hungary and Schengen Area travel privileges. Two investment pathways are available after the direct EUR 500,000 property purchase option was abolished on 20 December 2024 (repealed before it took effect on 1 January 2025).

• Non-EEA, non-Swiss third-country national
• Complete one of two qualifying investments within 3 months of entering Hungary:
  • Real estate fund: EUR 250,000 in investment fund shares issued by a real estate fund registered with the Hungarian National Bank (MNB), where at least 40% of the fund's net asset value is in Hungarian residential real estate, held in a blocked securities sub-account for at least 5 years
  • Higher education donation: EUR 1,000,000 non-refundable donation to a public-trust higher education institution for educational, scientific research, or artistic activities
• Demonstrate the legal origin of investment funds and sufficient financial resources for living expenses
• Must not pose a threat to public order, security, health, or national security
• Must not appear in the Schengen Information System (SIS)
• No specific education or professional qualifications required

• Valid passport
• Completed application form
• One facial photograph
• Proof of accommodation in Hungary (ownership deed, lease agreement, courtesy agreement, hotel reservation, or — since April 2025 — the Hungarian address of the applicant's authorised representative)
• Investment certification from fund manager or institutional donation confirmation letter
• Proof of legal origin of investment funds
• Proof of sufficient financial capacity for living expenses

The process begins with a guest investor visa (D-type) valid for up to 6 months. The residence permit itself is valid for up to 10 years and can be extended once for a further 10 years, giving a maximum total of 20 years. Extension requires that the investment has been maintained (for fund shares, the 5-year lock-up must be observed), no criminal convictions or immigration violations have occurred, and the same documentation is submitted. There is no minimum physical presence requirement to maintain the permit.

Spouses (including registered partners) and minor children may apply for family reunification residence permits linked to the guest investor permit. These permits share the same 10-year validity and 10-year extension possibility. Family applications may be submitted in parallel with the main applicant's residence permit, but family members cannot reside in Hungary until the sponsor's permit is granted. Family members must provide birth or marriage certificates, proof of accommodation, evidence of financial means, valid travel documents, a facial photograph, and (for minors) parental consent.

Holding the guest investor permit does not automatically create Hungarian tax residency. Tax residency is triggered by spending 183 or more days in Hungary within a 12-month period, at which point worldwide income becomes subject to Hungarian taxation. The standard personal income tax rate is 15%, with a 13% social contribution tax on employment income. Income from real estate fund investments is subject to 15% personal income tax regardless of tax residency status.

The application follows a two-stage procedure. First, apply for a guest investor visa (D-type national visa) at a Hungarian consulate in your country of nationality, permanent residence, or legal residence. Upon visa approval, enter Hungary and submit the residence permit application within 30 days of first entry — either electronically via the Enter Hungary platform or in person at a regional OIF directorate. Biometric data (photograph, fingerprints, signature) must be collected within 15 days of application receipt. The qualifying investment must then be completed within 3 months of entry and certified via the Enter Hungary platform.

Processing time: 21 days from receipt of the complete application.

Fees: EUR 110 for the guest investor visa; EUR 110 at a diplomatic post or HUF 39,000 in person in Hungary for the residence permit; HUF 26,000 via the Enter Hungary platform; HUF 26,000 for extensions.

The guest investor permit does not directly lead to permanent residency. Holders are excluded from obtaining a national residence card. However, after 5 years of continuous lawful residence in Hungary, holders may apply for an EC permanent residence permit. Hungarian citizenship requires at least 8 years of continuous lawful residence plus passing a Hungarian-language constitutional knowledge exam.

The guest investor residence permit is a Schengen residence permit, allowing visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Permit holders may enter and exit Hungary freely while maintaining their investment, with no mandatory minimum stay requirement.

The EUR 500,000 direct property purchase pathway was repealed on 20 December 2024, before its scheduled 1 January 2025 launch date, leaving the real estate fund and donation routes as the only options. From 1 January 2025, applicants for national residence cards and EU residence cards must pass a Hungarian cultural knowledge exam (written, in Hungarian; HUF 20,000 per attempt; three failures result in refusal) — this may affect guest investor permit holders pursuing EC permanent residence after 5 years. On 22 January 2025, Granit Asset Management's Gravitas Hungary Real Estate Fund became the second approved fund for the program, alongside the existing SPRINT fund. Government Decree 88/2025 (effective 25 April 2025) allows guest investor applicants and family members to use their authorised representative's Hungarian address as accommodation proof, simplifying the application process.