15 pros and cons of a Hungary Golden Visa: reasons to obtain a Hungarian residence permit

Hungary residence permit by investment is available through the Guest Investor Residence Permit for eligible third-country nationals who meet Hungary's entry, residence, due-diligence and investment requirements.

Investors may receive residence permits valid for up to 10 years, with a possible one-time extension for up to another 10 years if the legal conditions continue to be met. Current official guidance lists two qualifying routes: a qualifying real estate fund share from EUR 250,000 or a higher-education donation from EUR 1,000,000.

The route may support family, Schengen-area travel for short stays, a second residence base, and business planning in Hungary. Permanent residence, citizenship, tax residence and work rights outside Hungary are separate matters that require country-specific legal or tax review.

Residents can live in Hungary for as long as their residence permit is valid. They can also enter the country under any circumstances, even if the borders are closed to tourists.

Hungary is considered one of the most affordable countries in Europe and one of the safest countries in the world. It is also known for its stable political climate, high-quality healthcare, low taxes, rich historical heritage, and natural wonders.

One of the most notable things about Hungary is its low corporate tax — 9%, the lowest rate in Europe. Personal income tax is also low — 15%, while in some other European states, it can reach 55%. The country is also home to eight UNESCO World Heritage sites.

There are many attractive places to live in Hungary, allowing each person to choose the most suitable city or region.

Budapest is great for entrepreneurs and people looking for good jobs, as it is the largest city in the country with many career and business opportunities. Smaller towns like Szentendre, Érd, Budaörs, or Budakeszi are excellent choices for those who would like to live away from the hustle and bustle of the big city but still be able to reach Budapest in less than an hour.

Debrecen is suitable for students because it has several universities, including an internationally recognised medical school.

Balatonfüred and Veszprém are good choices for nature lovers, as they are located near Lake Balaton and Bakony Hill. They are also suitable for retirees and families who wish to have a peaceful lifestyle. People residing in these cities can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and kayaking.

Pécs is ideal for cultural enthusiasts. This city, founded in the 2nd century BC, boasts many historical buildings and museums.

Hungary is part of the Schengen Area. Thus, its residents can enter all other Schengen states visa-free. There are 29 such states, including Hungary. The allowed period of stay is 90 days within every 180-day period.

Visa-free entry generally means that no border controls exist between countries comprising the Schengen Area. However, travellers can sometimes be subject to border checks. Even so, they do not need visas and are only required to provide their residence permits.Malta

The Guest Investor Residence Permit does not automatically grant permanent residence or citizenship. Long-term residence and naturalisation are separate procedures with their own residence, language, security and eligibility requirements.

If either status is later pursued, eligibility and outcome depend on the rules in force at that time. The investor permit should not be treated as an easy or guaranteed path to citizenship, EU rights, or wider travel access.

Holders of the Hungary Guest Investor Residence Permit may review business and work options in Hungary under the conditions attached to their status. Work rights in other EU countries are not granted by a Hungarian residence permit and must be assessed under the rules of the relevant country.

Hungary may be attractive for company formation and business presence, but tax and employment consequences should be reviewed with qualified advisers before making decisions.

Opening bank accounts in Hungary and the EU is generally easier for residents than for foreigners without this status. They need to provide fewer documents and are less likely to be refused.

Personal account. To open a personal account, the resident must submit their residence permit. Sometimes, they might also be required to provide proof of accommodation in Hungary and their Hungarian phone number.

Corporate account. Opening a corporate bank account requires the applicant to provide the company’s registration documents.

The largest banks in Hungary are:

• OTP Bank;

• Erste Bank;

• UniCredit Bank;

• CIB Bank;

• Raiffeisen Bank;

• MagNet Bank.

In 2024, Global Finance magazine named OTP Bank the best bank in Central and Eastern Europe. Other notable banks in Europe include CaixaBank in Spain, Commerzbank in Germany, Lloyds Bank in the UK, and HSBC in Malta.

The direct residential property purchase route should not be presented as active. Current official guidance lists an indirect route through qualifying Hungarian real estate fund shares, with an investment of at least EUR 250,000.

A fund must meet the applicable Hungarian registration and qualification requirements. Fund participation, banking, KYC and acceptance rules may depend on the applicant profile and require case-specific review.

When obtaining the Hungary Golden Visa, the investor first receives the Guest Investor Visa, which doesn’t require making an investment. With this visa, the foreigner enters Hungary and applies for a residence permit.

Before granting the applicant the Guest Investor Visa, the Migration Department conducts Due Diligence. If this check is successful and the Guest Investor Visa is issued, the risk of the investor not obtaining a residence permit afterwards is significantly reduced.

This rule protects applicants from losing invested money.

In contrast, foreigners applying for the Portuguese, Spanish, and Greek Golden Visas must invest before their application for a residence permit is approved.

The Hungary Golden Visa is granted for 10 years, and its holder remains a resident if they continue meeting the eligibility criteria. 

The residence permit can be extended once for the same period. In total, Hungary Golden Visa holders become residents of the country for 20 years.

In comparison, the Portuguese Golden Visa must be renewed every two years. The Italian Golden Visa is initially granted for two years and then for three years.

Each investor can add their close family members to the application. This includes:

• a spouse;

• minor children;

• parents if they are financially dependent on the investor or their spouse.

When filing an application, the investor will need to submit evidence of their relationship with the included persons, as well as proof that they would provide financial support and housing.

Family members obtain residence permits alongside the investor and have the same rights.

Foreigners with Hungary Golden Visas don’t need to live in the country permanently to maintain their status. They can come to Hungary for holidays or just to renew their residence permits and submit biometrics.

However, if Golden Visa holders plan to obtain Hungarian permanent residency or citizenship, they must live in the country continuously.

The Hungary Guest Investor Residence Permit process includes document preparation, entry-stage visa or visa-free entry where applicable, residence-permit filing in Hungary, investment proof, biometrics and authority review.

Timing depends on the route, applicant facts, document completeness and authority processing. Applicants should not treat the process as a guaranteed fixed timeline.

Current official guidance lists two qualifying routes for the Hungary Guest Investor Residence Permit:

• purchase of qualifying real estate fund units for at least EUR 250,000;

• financial donation of at least EUR 1,000,000 to an eligible higher education institution maintained by a public trust with a public-service mission.

The direct residential property purchase route was removed before it became active and should not be presented as a qualifying option.

Eligibility criteria. The investor must be over 18, have no criminal record, and be able to prove the legality of their income. Eligibility also depends on nationality, immigration status, sanctions screening, due diligence, and the selected investment route. Fund participation may have route-specific restrictions for some applicants, including US persons.

Documents. The applicant submits documents such as a completed application, valid passport, civil-status documents, recent photos, health insurance, proof of funds, proof of lawful income, CVs where required, and route-specific investment evidence. Exact document lists should be checked against the current legal and fund requirements.

Fees. Government, legal, banking, fund and professional fees require case-specific review. Do not use unreconciled internal fee figures or direct-property purchase costs as client-facing guidance.

1. The process is not fully remote. During the procedure, the investor may need to come to Hungary for residence-permit filing, biometrics, banking, fund or other route-specific steps.

2. Route-specific acceptance can be narrow. Fund, banking, KYC and sanctions screening can affect whether a route is available for a particular applicant.

3. Due diligence is strict. Investors and relevant family members undergo background and source-of-funds checks. Thoughtful document preparation can reduce avoidable delays.

4. Programme rules can change. Hungary has already changed the route mix by removing the direct residential-property purchase option before it became active. Current requirements should be checked before relying on any older article.

1. Low cost of living. Hungary is one of the most affordable states in the EU and is less expensive than Northern, Western and some Southern European countries. 

One person needs around €650 per month without rent to maintain a moderate standard of living, while a family of four requires at least €2,200. Renting a one-bedroom apartment in Hungary costs €350 to 500 per month, and the price of a three-bedroom apartment is €600 to 800. The average cost of basic utilities is €140 for an apartment with three bedrooms. 

Generally, the cost of living and renting apartments in countries like Germany, Sweden, or Italy is 1.5 to 2 times higher.

2. Safety. According to the Global Peace Index 2023, Hungary ranks 18th out of 163 countries mentioned, which is higher than Norway or Sweden. The country has a low crime rate, and the possibility of being assaulted or robbed is minimal. 

3. High quality healthcare. Hungary has universal healthcare that is funded by obligatory contributions from salaries. As a result, many medical services are offered free of charge or at a discount. 

For instance, people with government health insurance can receive free treatment from any doctor who has a contract with the National Institute of Health Insurance Fund Management. Minors, seniors, and pregnant women don’t pay for dental care.

Hungary is known for medical tourism, as medical services there are affordable and of high quality. The country mainly specialises in dental, ophthalmological, and orthopaedic services and cosmetic surgery. Budapest is often called a “Spa City” due to the numerous thermal baths located all over it.

Hungarian residents can obtain a free European Insurance Card, which allows them to get treatment in other EU countries under the same conditions as locals.

4. Central location in Europe. Hungary borders Austria, Czechia, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Croatia, and Slovenia, and it is easy to travel to all these countries by car or bus. For example, it takes 2.5—3 hours to get to Vienna, Austria’s capital, and 4 hours to reach Zagreb, Croatia's capital, from Budapest, Hungary.

Budapest has two international airports, which serve flights within Europe and to other parts of the world, such as Dubai or Shanghai. 

Flying around Europe is affordable; for example, a ticket from Budapest to Milan in Italy can cost as little as €20.

5. Access to first-rate education. Five Hungarian universities are on the list of the top 1000 best universities in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings 2025. They are Eötvös Loránd University, University of Szeged, University of Debrecen, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, and University of Pecs.

Many higher education institutions offer courses in both Hungarian and English.

To cover the costs of studying in Hungarian universities, students can obtain the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship or take a loan from the Hungarian Student Loan Centre. Some universities also provide their own scholarships, such as the SZTE Start Scholarship at the University of Szeged.

Hungarian students can participate in the student mobility program Erasmus+, which allows them to study at partner universities in other European countries. Erasmus+ participants are exempt from tuition fees at foreign universities.

6. Large community of expats. More than 400,000 people living in the country are foreigners, making up 4% of the Hungarian population.

Many international events are held in Budapest, such as speaking clubs, networking events, and master classes, where expats can meet both foreigners and locals.

Due to Budapest being an attractive city for expats and tourists, English is widely spoken there.

7. Rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. Hungary boasts a rich cultural heritage influenced by the Roman and Ottoman Empires and the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. These influences are reflected in the country’s architecture, cuisine, and traditions. 

Budapest, the capital, epitomises this blend with its grand neoclassical buildings, ornate baroque churches, and the majestic Parliament building along the Danube River. Other places of interest include Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, and Eger Castle.

The country has picturesque lakes, including Lake Balaton, Central Europe’s largest freshwater lake. The Bükk and Mátra mountain ranges provide ample opportunities for hiking and exploring caves. The Puszta, or Great Hungarian Plain, offers a unique, sweeping landscape home to traditional horse shows and the Hortobágy National Park.

1. Hungary's investor route may offer a long-validity residence permit and short-stay Schengen mobility, subject to current rules and authority review.

2. The permit does not automatically grant permanent residence, citizenship, EU work rights or tax outcomes.

3. Current qualifying routes are a real estate fund share from EUR 250,000 and a higher-education donation from EUR 1,000,000. The direct residential-property purchase route is not active.

4. For current requirements, see the Hungary residence permit by investment guide.