Hungary’s Golden Visa program will commence on July 1. Similar to the previous settlement bond program, this new visa route will encourage third-country nationals to invest in real estate for a 10-year residence permit, instead of buying government bonds.
Golden Visa requirements
There are three ways to apply for the new golden visa:
- Investing at least 250,000 euros in a real estate fund.
- Spending at least 500,000 euros on buying real estate.
- Donating at least 1 million euros to a higher education institution.
Meeting these requirements allows investors to bring their entire family, including grandparents, to live in Hungary. They can also travel visa-free in EU countries as Hungary is a Schengen country.
Where to submit the visa application?
You can apply for a guest investor visa at a Hungarian consulate in your home country or where you usually live. If there is no Hungarian consulate in your home country, you can apply to another country where you are legally staying.
Processing fee
The processing fee for the counselor services for the investment visa in Hungary is as follows:
| Procedural fee for issuing a guest investor visa | EUR 110 |
| Fee for an appeal against a decision of refusal or withdrawal of a guest investor visa | EUR 160 |
| Procedural fee for issuing a visitor investor visa in case of an application for a substitution visa at a diplomatic mission or consular post | EUR 90 |
Investor visa validity
A guest investor visa is valid for up to 6 months. This can be converted to a residence permit after reaching Hungary. You must apply for the residence permit within 93 days of your first legal entry into Hungary with the guest investor visa. This application should be submitted to the Central Regional Directorate of NDGAP or the Enter Hungary online platform.
Within 3 months of entering Hungary, you must confirm via the Enter Hungary platform that you have made the committed investment. NDGAP will check if the investment is completed on time. Failing to do so will result in visa withdrawal.
Documents and steps to apply for the Golden Visa
| Step | Description |
| Complete the Application Form | Fill out the application form completely and correctly, then sign it. You can access the form here. |
| Meet Entry and Residence Conditions | Provide necessary documents to prove you meet the conditions for entry and residence. |
| Attach Required Documents | |
| For Investment Proof: | |
| Real Estate Fund Investment | A certificate from a real estate fund manager or investment fund distributor, showing you purchased a share worth at least EUR 250,000. |
| Property Purchase | A sale contract for a Hungarian residential property worth at least EUR 500,000, countersigned by a lawyer, free of liens, and registered in the Land Registry. The property must be owned by you or your family for at least 5 years (effective January 1, 2025). |
| Higher Education Donation | A certificate from a higher education institution proving you donated at least EUR 1,000,000 for educational, research, or artistic purposes. |
| If Investment Not Yet Made: | |
| Declaration | State which investment you plan to make within 3 months of entering Hungary. |
| Financial Proof | Provide a document from a foreign or Hungarian bank showing you have the funds needed for the investment. |
| Prove the Legal Origin of Funds | Provide documents showing the source of your funds, such as: |
| A public or private document proving ownership or value of property. | |
| Proof of taxable regular income from employment or business activities. | |
| Additional Documents for Visa Application | |
| Proof of your accommodation address in Hungary. | |
| A valid travel document. | |
| One facial photograph. | |
| Note | Make sure all documents are correctly completed and submitted with your application to ensure a smooth process. |