Executive Summary
We’ve worked with plenty of investors who want a foothold in Europe without uprooting their entire life, and honestly, Hungary has quietly built one of the smartest, simplest programs for that. The Hungarian Guest Investor Program gives non-EU nationals a 10-year renewable residence permit in exchange for either a relatively modest investment or a meaningful donation to Hungary’s public sector.
What’s different here is how flexible and low-commitment this program is. There’s no residency requirement. You don’t need to buy real estate directly. You don’t even need to move to Hungary unless you want to. That’s rare in the EU.So, if your goal is to secure long-term European residency with minimum red tape and no lifestyle disruption, this could be exactly the program to look into.
What Is the Hungarian Guest Investor Program?
Hungary’s Guest Investor Program (GIP) is a residency-by-investment scheme designed to bring foreign capital into the countr but without forcing investors to physically relocate. The residence permit lasts 10 years and is renewable, which makes it one of the longest-duration investor visas in the region.
The program officially launched in 2024 and offers a clear legal framework, fast-track processing, and fewer strings attached than other Golden Visa programs in Europe.
Instead of requiring property purchases or annual stay quotas, the Hungarian model offers two routes:
- A real estate fund investment
- A donation to public institutions
It’s streamlined, but not hands-off. You still need to meet documentation requirements, prove the origin of your funds, and go through Hungary’s standard security checks.
Why Hungary Over Other European Investment Programs?
We’ve helped clients compare the options across the EU. Here’s how Hungary stacks up, and why more people are starting to look here instead of the usual suspects like Portugal or Spain.
| Feature | Hungary (GIP) | Portugal | Spain | Greece |
| Minimum Investment | €250,000 | €500,000 | €500,000 | €500,000 |
| Real Estate Required? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Residency Requirement? | No | No | 183 days/year | No |
| Schengen Access? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Path to Citizenship | 8 years | 5 years | 10 years | 7 years |
Hungary’s GIP is attractive because it doesn’t require you to buy and manage a property, you’re not tied to annual visit quotas, and the entry cost is half what you’d need elsewhere.
Also worth noting that Hungary is not yet saturated with investor applications. That means faster processing and less bureaucracy. For now, at least.
How to Apply for Hungary’s Guest Investor Program
Here’s how the process typically goes. It’s relatively fast, but still needs to be done with precision especially when transferring large sums or submitting notarized documents.
Step 1: Choose Your Investment Route
- €250,000 into a certified real estate fund
- Or €1 million donation to a Hungarian public institution
Each has its pros and cons. We help clients evaluate which one fits their goals, risk tolerance, and timelines.
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
You’ll need:
- Valid passport (at least 12 months of validity remaining)
- Proof of investment or donation confirmation
- Bank statements covering the last 6 months
- Health insurance that covers Hungary
- Proof of accommodation (if you plan to spend time in Hungary)
All documents must be translated into Hungarian or English and notarized. This step trips people up more than it should. We’ve seen delays happen over an improperly stamped police clearance letter.
Step 3: Submit Your Visa Application
You’ll start with the Guest Investor Visa, which gets you in the door.
- Submit the application at a Hungarian consulate or embassy in your home country
- Visa processing takes 6 to 8 weeks
- You’ll receive a single-entry visa to enter Hungary and complete the process
Step 4: Finalize the Investment
Once in Hungary, you’ll need to:
- Open an investment account and transfer the funds to the approved real estate fund
- Or complete the donation, if that’s your path
- Get an investment confirmation letter, which is critical for the residence permit application
Make sure everything is documented through the right channels. Missing paperwork here is one of the biggest reasons for delays.
Step 5: Apply for the 10-Year Residence Permit
Now that your investment is confirmed, you can apply for the actual residence permit.
- Submit online via the Enter Hungary platform, or
- Apply in person at the National Directorate for Aliens Policing (OIF)
Processing typically takes 3 to 4 months. Once approved, you’ll get a 10-year residence card.
Step 6: Enjoy Visa-Free Schengen Travel
Your new residence permit gives you:
- Full access to Hungary, and
- Visa-free travel across the Schengen Zone, up to 90 days in any 180-day period in other EU countries
There’s no minimum number of days you need to spend in Hungary. You can come and go as needed.
Step 7: Renewing After 10 Years
Renewal is simple. No new investment is required. As long as you’re in compliance and have kept your original investment in place for the minimum period (5 years), you’re eligible.
Processing takes 2 to 3 months, and the new permit will be valid for another 10 years.
Step 8: Applying for Permanent Residency and Citizenship
Hungary offers a clear path to long-term status.
- After 3 years, you can apply for permanent residency
- After 8 years, you can apply for Hungarian citizenship (EU passport, access to 180+ countries)
Language skills and integration are required for citizenship, so you’ll want to prepare early if that’s part of your goal.
Compliance and Legal Requirements
The Hungarian government takes compliance seriously — especially when it comes to financial transparency.
Key Rules to Know:
- Funds must come from legitimate, traceable sources
- You’ll need to pass standard anti-money laundering checks
- Real estate fund investments must remain in place for at least 5 years
- Government audits may occur to verify ongoing compliance
If you break the rules, move your funds early, fail to respond to audits, or falsify documentation — your permit can be revoked.
Eligible Real Estate Funds for Investment
If you’re going the €250,000 investment route, you won’t be buying property directly—Hungary scrapped that option in early 2025 to prevent real estate speculation. Instead, you’ll be investing in government-approved real estate funds, which come with a built-in level of security and diversification.
Here’s the deal: these funds must have at least 40% of their portfolio in Hungarian residential projects, meaning you’re still indirectly investing in the local property market, just without the hassle of managing tenants, dealing with maintenance, or navigating Hungary’s property laws. Plus, since these funds are regulated by the Hungarian National Bank (MNB), you can trust that they meet the country’s financial standards.
At the moment, two major funds are available under the Guest Investor Program:
1. SPRINT Hungary Real Estate Development and Investment Fund
This was the first fund to get the official green light under the new Guest Investor Program. It focuses on residential property development in Hungary, particularly in areas where the government wants to modernize and expand housing availability.
What makes this fund appealing? It’s managed by a seasoned investment team, has a strong track record in Hungary’s real estate sector, and is backed by regulations that ensure transparency for foreign investors.
2. Gránit Asset Management’s Gravitas Hungary Real Estate Fund
This fund was officially approved in January 2025, making it the second eligible investment fund under the program. Unlike SPRINT, which is focused mostly on housing development, Gravitas Hungary invests in a mix of residential and commercial projects in high-demand areas like Budapest.
It was specifically created to cater to Guest Investor Program applicants, meaning its structure, compliance, and investment terms were built around meeting residency requirements. If you’re looking for a fund that’s already tailored to foreign investors, this could be a solid choice.
How the Investment Works
Once you decide which fund suits your goals, the process is simple:
- Pick an approved fund and commit €250,000 (minimum).
- Hold the investment for at least five years—early withdrawals could jeopardize your residency status.
- Receive an official investment certificate, proving your participation.
- After five years, you can withdraw, reinvest, or shift your capital into another asset.
The biggest advantage? You don’t have to worry about managing physical real estate—no property taxes, no landlord headaches, no market fluctuations affecting your individual property value. It’s a passive investment that still meets residency requirements.
For those who want a more structured, lower-risk way to invest in Hungarian real estate, these funds provide an accessible and fully compliant path to securing your long-term EU residency.
Benefits Specific to the Guest Investor Program
So why are investors choosing Hungary over other European investment visa programs? Let’s break down the unique benefits:
1. Family Inclusion
When you get your residence permit through the GIP, your family comes along for the ride—without any extra investments. This includes:
- Your spouse
- Your dependent children under 18 (sometimes even older if they’re still financially dependent)
No extra money, no extra requirements—just one single application for the whole family.
2. No Residency Requirement
A lot of other investment residency programs require you to live in the country for part of the year. Hungary? Nope. You can live anywhere in the world and still keep your Hungarian residency.
This is huge for people who want a Plan B for the future but don’t want to commit to moving to Europe full-time.
3. Fast-Track Processing
If you’ve ever dealt with immigration bureaucracy, you know how painfully slow things can be. The good news? Hungary’s GIP is one of the fastest:
- Guest Investor Visa issued in 6-8 weeks
- Residency permit approval in 3-4 months
Compared to Portugal and Spain, where it can take over a year, Hungary’s process is lightning-fast. With Hungarian relocation, we also prepare our clients a personalised roadmap based on the type of residency and country of origin to ensure transparent timelines.
4. No Language Requirement
Unlike some other EU residency programs, you don’t have to learn Hungarian to qualify. You can apply, invest, and get residency without ever speaking a word of Hungarian (though let’s be real—learning a few words will make life easier if you plan to visit).
5. Path to Permanent Residency & Citizenship
One of the biggest long-term perks of the GIP? It sets you up for full EU citizenship.
After 8 years of Hungarian residency, you can apply for Hungarian citizenship—which means:
- An EU passport for life
- Visa-free travel to 180+ countries
- The right to live and work anywhere in the EU
Compared to Spain (10 years) or Greece (7 years), Hungary’s 8-year path to citizenship is very competitive.
Final Thoughts: Why Invest in Hungary’s Guest Investor Program?
Hungary’s Guest Investor Program is ideal for investors who want:
- Long-term EU residency
- No residency requirement
- A lower-cost investment threshold
- Fast-track Schengen access
- And a path to EU citizenship without uprooting their life
This is one of the most practical and efficient options in the EU right now. It’s not overhyped. It’s not saturated. And with the right guidance, the process is smooth.
If you’re ready to apply or just want to weigh your options, reach out to us at Aegir Consulting. We’ll walk you through everything — from fund selection to paperwork — and make sure you avoid the common pitfalls that can slow things down. Let’s get it done right the first time.
