Hungary Residence by Investment

What Is Hungary's Guest Investor Residence Permit?

Hungary grants a residence permit for guest investors under Act XC of 2023, to third-country nationals whose entry and stay is judged to be in Hungary's national economic interest because of an investment made in the country. Two investments qualify: an investment fund share of at least EUR 250,000 issued by a real estate fund registered with the Hungarian National Bank, or a financial donation of at least EUR 1,000,000 to a higher-education institution maintained by a public trust.

For the fund route, you must hold the investment fund share for at least 5 years in a securities sub-account blocked for that period; the fund's net asset value must comprise at least 40% Hungarian residential real estate, and its fund manager must be listed in the register of qualified market operators kept under Act XXX of 2016. For the donation route, the funds must support educational, scientific-research or artistic-creation activities at the receiving institution; on extension, this route needs no further donation.

The Investment Routes

Minimums set by Act XC of 2023 and OIF's Residence Permit for Guest Investor factsheet (checked on 24 September 2026).

Who Can Apply?

To apply for Hungary's residence permit for guest investors, you must:

• Be a third-country national: not an EEA national or the family member of one (stateless persons also qualify as third-country nationals).
• Complete one of the two qualifying investments — the EUR 250,000 real estate fund route or the EUR 1,000,000 donation route — and be able to certify it to OIF.
• Enter Hungary with a guest-investor visa, or visa-free if your nationality allows it, and file your residence-permit application inside Hungary — within 30 days of your first legal entry if you entered visa-free. (If you already hold a Hungarian residence permit and are visa-exempt, you can apply at any time during your lawful stay.)
• Show that you have accommodation in Hungary suitable for habitation — a lease, ownership, a courtesy-provided residence, or a paid reservation — and hold a valid passport.

Who Can Be Included?

On family inclusion:

• Family members may apply for a residence permit for the purpose of family reunification in parallel with your guest-investor application, but cannot be granted that status until you, the sponsor, are granted your own residence permit.
• The residence permit for guest investors and the related family-reunification permit both allow their holders to work in Hungary without restriction.

Fees

Costs on top of the investment:

• Guest-investor visa (if you need one), applied for abroad: EUR 110 procedural fee.
• Residence permit issued in Hungary: HUF 26,000 if you apply via the Enter Hungary platform, or HUF 39,000 if you apply in person.
• Extension of the residence permit: HUF 26,000. Source: OIF's Procedural fees factsheet (checked on 24 September 2026).

Application Process

1. Complete or commit to one of the two qualifying investments — the EUR 250,000 real estate fund route or the EUR 1,000,000 donation route.
2. If required, apply for a guest-investor visa abroad; it is valid for up to 6 months and cannot be extended. If you stated an intention to invest at the visa stage, complete the investment within 3 months of the visa being issued and certify it within 3 months of entering Hungary.
3. Enter Hungary with the visa, or visa-free if eligible, and file the residence-permit application via the Enter Hungary platform or in person at the competent regional directorate of OIF — within 30 days of your first entry if you entered visa-free.
4. Attach certification of the completed investment (a fund-manager or distributor certificate, or the receiving institution's donation certificate), proof of accommodation, your passport and a photo, then appear in person for biometrics.
5. Receive your residence permit by post, valid for up to 10 years. The standard processing time is 21 days, though this does not include the time needed to submit proof of the investment.

Source: OIF's Residence Permit for Guest Investor factsheet (checked on 24 September 2026).

Why Hungary?

Official source: OIF — Residence Permit for Guest Investor factsheet

This page follows OIF's (Országos Idegenrendészeti Főigazgatóság) Residence Permit for Guest Investor factsheet and its Guest Investor Visa and Permit FAQ, both read on 24 September 2026 and last updated by OIF on 3 March 2026. Investment amounts, fees and conditions are set by the Hungarian authorities and can change.