The Hungarian Golden Visa, officially known as the Guest Investor Residence Permit, is one of Hungary’s newest and most attractive residency programs, introduced by Act XC of 2023. Its aim is to provide third-country nationals with a secure and long-term opportunity for residence in Europe, while also encouraging strategic investments in the Hungarian economy.

Under the Golden Visa program, successful applicants and their family members are granted a residence permit valid for ten years, which may be extended for an additional ten years. This is a unique opportunity in Europe, as similar programs in other countries usually offer shorter validity periods and require regular renewals.

Investment options under the Hungarian Golden Visa program

• Acquisition of investment fund units
  Purchase of investment units worth at least EUR 250,000 in a real estate fund registered with the Hungarian National Bank and meeting the statutory requirements. The investment must be maintained for a minimum period of five years.
• Donation to a higher education institution
  A donation of at least EUR 1,000,000 to a higher education institution maintained by a public-interest trust performing a public duty. The donation must be used exclusively for educational, research or artistic purposes.

The previously available option of direct real estate purchase is currently suspended.

Advantages of the program

With the Hungarian Golden Visa, investors and their families gain access to a variety of entitlements and benefits that support both personal wellbeing and business success.

• Free movement within the Schengen Area, allowing investors and their family members to travel without restrictions throughout the region.
• Fast-track procedure: residence permit applications are processed by the authorities within just 21 days, which is exceptionally fast by European standards.
• Family reunification, covering not only the spouse and minor children but, in certain cases, also adult children, parents, and grandparents.
• Extensive economic and social rights: residence permit holders may work, establish their own business, access Hungarian and European financial services, and benefit from the EU’s educational and healthcare systems.
• Flexible residency conditions: continuous residence in Hungary is not required for maintaining the status, so investors may live anywhere in the world while retaining their residence permit.

The application process

Applicants first receive a guest investor visa, valid for six months, which allows them to enter Hungary. Within 30 days thereafter, they must submit their application for the Guest Investor Residence Permit. Upon successful approval, they are issued the residence permit. The investment must be completed within the validity period of the visa and must be verified with official documentation.

Enhanced due diligence

As part of the residence permit application, applicants and their family members are subject to enhanced due diligence checks. In line with international anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulations, this process includes:

• Verification of identity and nationality: examination of passports, identity documents, and address records.
• Verification of the source of funds: proof that the funds used for the investment are of lawful origin and can be continuously traced from their source up to the time of the investment.
• National security screening: the Hungarian authorities – in cooperation with foreign authorities and international organizations where necessary – verify that the applicant does not appear on any sanctions lists and does not pose a security risk to Hungary or the Schengen Area.
• Assessment of financial reliability: review of the applicant’s financial background, including whether they are subject to any criminal proceedings or final convictions that could call into question their reliability.

The purpose of enhanced due diligence is to ensure that the program operates transparently, securely, and credibly, and that only investors with reliable, legally sourced capital are granted the right of residence in Hungary.

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