Hungary golden visa: the Guest Investor Program

Two investments count as being in Hungary’s national economic interest. The first is buying, in your own name, investment units worth at least EUR 250,000 issued by a real-estate fund registered with the Hungarian National Bank (MNB). The units must sit in a securities sub-account locked for at least five years, at least 40% of the fund’s net assets must be Hungarian residential property, and the fund manager must be on OIF’s list of qualified market participants.

The second is a donation of at least EUR 1,000,000 to a higher education institution maintained by a public-interest trust foundation (KEKVA), for education, scientific research or artistic work. The authority also checks whether sanctions or other objective obstacles prevent the investment.

Apply at the Hungarian consulate in your country of residence or nationality, by appointment. Submit the signed application form, proof of the investment or, if not yet made, a signed declaration of which investment you will make plus a bank certificate that the sum is permanently available, proof that the money was lawfully acquired, proof of your Hungarian address, passport and a photo. The fee is EUR 110.

The visa is valid for 6 months, allows multiple entries and a stay of up to 6 months in Hungary, and lets you make the investment and then apply for the residence permit. It becomes invalid once the permit is issued.

Within 30 days of first entry, apply for the guest investor residence permit through Enter Hungary or at the OIF regional directorate for your address (in Budapest and Pest county, the Central Regional Directorate by appointment). Biometrics are taken in person. Proof of the investment is filed afterwards as a supplementary document, within the visa’s validity.

Accepted proof is the fund manager’s or distributor’s confirmation of the unit purchase with the securities-account documents showing the five-year lock, or the university’s confirmation of the donation. The administrative time is 21 days, and the card is posted to your address.

Renewals are filed via Enter Hungary at least 30 days before expiry and can run another 10 years. Fund investors must still hold the units on the renewal date; donors need no further investment. Changes in the data behind your investment must be reported within 5 days.

Spouses and children can obtain family reunification permits linked to the guest investor permit, valid for up to 10 years. Unlike other family permits, their renewal does not require proof of 90 days’ presence in every 180.

Appeal within 8 days of delivery, to the authority that decided or through the consulate where you applied. The appeal fee abroad is EUR 160; appeals filed late, without reasons or based on facts you knew before the decision are rejected without examination.