Hungary Residence Permit & Golden Visa
Consider obtaining residency in Hungary? Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, or digital nomad, Hungary offers attractive options and benefits.
As a Hungarian resident, you can travel visa-free within the Schengen Area, take advantage of the country’s supportive business environment, and gain access to its banking services.
Choose your option
3 ways to obtain a residence permit in Hungary
Among the over 20 pathways to Hungarian residency, three stand out as particularly attractive for high-net-worth individuals: the Golden Visa, Business Residency, and White Card.
The Golden Visa, or Guest Investor Residence Permit, is designed for applicants who are willing to support the Hungarian economy with a capital injection of at least €250,000. Business Residency targets entrepreneurs; to qualify, applicants must register a company with a minimum share capital of €7,700. The White Card, or Digital Nomad Visa, is tailored for remote workers earning at least €3,000 per month.
Comparison of different types of Hungary residence permits
General requirements for Hungarian residency are similar: applicants must be over 18, come from outside the EU and EEA, rent or purchase residential property in Hungary, and have medical insurance. While a clean criminal record is not mandatory, a residence permit will be denied to anyone who poses a threat to public order or national security.
The key difference between the Hungary residence by investment and residency for entrepreneurs or digital nomads is that the Golden Visa can lead to permanent residency and citizenship. The other two options do not offer this possibility.
Requirements related to the applicant’s income, permit validity, time that must be spent in Hungary, and the ability to include family members also differ across these three residency types.
Hungary Golden Visa vs. Business Residency vs. White Card
| Residency type | Income requirements | Family inclusion | Validity | Residency requirement | Path to PR and citizenship |
| Hungary Golden Visa | Verified source of the €250,000 investment | Spouse, children under 25, parents | 10 + 10 years | None if not aiming for PR, and 27 out of 36 months otherwise | PR in 3 years, citizenship in an additional 8 years |
| Hungary Business Residency | Personal income from the company of €1,500+ per month | Spouse, children under 18, parents | 1 + 2 years | 183 days per year | Not available |
| Hungary White Card | Active income of €3,000+ per month from outside Hungary | Not possible | 1 + 1 years | 183 days per year | Not available |
9 benefits of Hungarian residency
Immigration to Hungary
Residents can live in Hungary for the entire duration of their residence permit. They can also enter the country at any time, even if the borders are closed to foreigners.
For investors, moving to Hungary is an option, not an obligation, as there are no residency requirements for them. Holders of other types of residence permits must spend at least 90 days in Hungary within any 180-day period.
Visa-free travel in Europe
Hungarian residents can travel visa-free within the Schengen Area and stay there for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Holders of a Hungarian residence permit can also enter Montenegro, Serbia, and Turkey without a visa, which is not an exhaustive list of countries.
Opportunity to obtain Hungary citizenship
Holders of a residence permit by investment can apply for permanent residency after three years of living in Hungary. After another eight years, they become eligible to apply for Hungary second citizenship.
A Hungarian passport allows visa-free travel to 171 countries, including the USA, the UK, Japan, and Singapore.
Access to good quality medicine
Healthcare in Hungary meets European Union standards, while the cost of medical services is lower than in Germany or the Scandinavian countries.
Residents of Hungary have access to both public and private clinics. They can also obtain a European Health Insurance Card, which allows them to receive medical treatment in EU and European Economic Area countries either for free or at a reduced cost.
Hungary is a popular destination for medical tourism. Foreigners come for thermal springs, of which there are more than a thousand in the country.
European education
Seven Hungarian universities are ranked among the best 1,000 universities in the world, according to QS Top Universities. These include universities in Budapest, Szeged, and Debrecen. The institutions offer programs in English, French, German, and Hungarian.
Higher education in Hungary follows the Bologna system, ensuring that degrees from local universities are recognised internationally.
Low cost of living
The average cost of living in Hungary is €600 per month per person, excluding rent. A family of four would need an average of €2,000 per month.
The cost of living in Hungary is 1.5 times lower than in Germany or Sweden.
Attractive tax system
The income tax rate in Hungary is 15%. By comparison, it can be as high as 47.5% in Germany and 55% in France.
For legal entities, the tax on profit is 9%, the lowest in the EU.
Opportunity to work or open a business
Investors holding a Hungary residence permit can work in the country, register a company, and gain status as a sole proprietor or self-employed individual.
Access to European banks
Hungarian residents can open both local and international bank accounts using only a passport and residence permit. A Hungarian bank account allows quick money transfers to other EU countries via the SEPA system.
Practical guide on the Hungary Golden Visa
- Step-by-step procedure
- Requirements for applicants
- Required documents
- Answers to frequently asked questions
PDF, 36 pages, 12 МB
Hungary residency options
Hungary Golden Visa
The Hungary residency program participant purchases shares of an investment fund or makes a donation to a university.
The residence permit is valid for 10 years, with the right to renew for an additional 10 years.
Along with the applicant, the investor's spouse, their children under 25, and parents are also eligible for a residence permit.
€250,000+ Minimum investment
5+ months Obtaining period
Hungary residence by business registration
The entrepreneur registers a company in Hungary and provides a business plan to demonstrate that the company will generate at least €1,500 per month for the founder.
The residence permit is valid for one year, with the right to renew it once for an additional two years.
The applicant’s family members can obtain a residence permit after one year when the Business Residency is renewed.
€7,700+ Investment in a company
6+ months Obtaining period
Hungary residence for digital nomads
A digital nomad is a remote worker with income from outside Hungary, such as a full-time employee, freelancer, or entrepreneur.
The applicant must verify an income of at least €3,000 per month for the past six months and a bank balance of at least €10,000.
The residence permit is valid for one year, with the right to renew it once for an additional year. Family members cannot be included.
€3,000+ Monthly income
3+ months Obtaining period
Which residency type suits you best?
You can choose from a variety of Hungarian residency options tailored to your goals and needs. The experienced lawyers at Immigrant Invest will guide you in selecting the solution that best fits your circumstances.
Minimal responsibilities
Golden Visa — no requirement to do business or live in Hungary
Entering the EU market
Business residency — a company registered in Hungary gains access to the unified EU market
Shortest obtaining period
White Card for digital nomads — 3+ months to obtain
Relocation with family
Golden Visa or Business Residency — allow to include spouses, children, and parents
Obtaining Hungary permanent residence and citizenship
A Hungary residence permit by investment offers a pathway to permanent residency and citizenship, while permits obtained through company registration or as a digital nomad do not.
To get permanent residency, one must live in Hungary for at least 3 years, with no more than 4 consecutive months or a total of 270 days outside the country.
Hungary citizenship can be obtained after 8 years of permanent residency. During these years, applicants must not leave the country for over 6 consecutive months or 2 years without notice. A language, culture, and Constitution exam is required, though exemptions apply for those over 65, graduates of Hungarian universities, or individuals with disabilities.
Hungary allows dual citizenship, so applicants do not need to renounce their other passports unless required by their home country.
Schedule a meeting
Let’s discuss the details
Schedule a meeting at one of the offices or online. A lawyer will analyze the situation, calculate the cost and help you find a solution based on your goals.
Zlata Erlach, Investment Programs Expert
Why investors choose Immigrant Invest
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent of residence permit and citizenship investment programs. We have been working since 2006, and during this time, we have helped more than 10,000 families obtain citizenship and residence permits.
We consider the nuances of each applicant's situation, and thanks to our expertise, 99% of our clients' applications are approved. This is the highest rate in the industry.
Immigrant Invest offices are located in nine countries: Hungary, Austria, Portugal, Malta, Cyprus, Turkey, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and Kazakhstan.
Immigrant Invest helps investors at every stage of obtaining the status: analyses the situation of each investor, offers a suitable program, and helps select real estate. Lawyers accompany clients from the moment the contract is signed until they receive their residence permit card or passport.
Certificate of membership
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Frequently Asked Questions
How can one obtain a residence permit in Hungary?
Out of more than 20 pathways to Hungarian residency, three are especially appealing to high-net-worth individuals: the Golden Visa, Business Residency, and the White Card.
To get a Hungary residence permit by investment, a foreigner can choose one of the two options:
- purchase shares in Hungarian real estate investment funds worth at least €250,000;
- donate at least €1,000,000 to a university.
To get Hungarian Business Residency, founders must establish a company that generates a monthly income of at least €1,500. For newly founded companies, this income is demonstrated through a business plan. The minimum share capital required to register a company in Hungary is €7,700.
To obtain a White Card as a digital nomad, a foreigner must have a monthly income of at least €3,000 from sources outside Hungary. This can include a remote worker's salary or fees earned from service contracts.
What are the benefits of a Hungary RP?
A Hungary residence permit offers several benefits:
- opportunity to live in Hungary during the entire validity period of the document;
- visa-free travel within the Schengen countries;
- access to healthcare and banking services;
- studying at European universities;
- prospect of obtaining permanent residence and Hungarian citizenship, if holding a qualifying RP.
How to apply for a residence permit in Hungary?
To obtain Hungarian residency, applicants must first secure a residence visa by applying at the Hungarian consulate in their country of citizenship or legal residence. Once granted, they must enter Hungary using this visa and then apply for a residence permit online through the government’s official portal.
However, individuals who are allowed to enter Hungary visa-free are exempt from the residence visa requirement. They can enter without a visa and proceed to apply for a residence permit online.
Once the online application is reviewed, applicants are invited to provide their biometric data. After this step, the residence permit card is issued.
How long can foreigners stay in Hungary?
The length of stay allowed for foreigners in Hungary depends on the type of document they hold.
With a Schengen visa, individuals may stay for the duration of the visa’s validity, but no more than 90 days within any 180-day period.
For those with a residence permit, the permitted stay depends on the basis for which the permit was granted. Here are three examples:
- a residence permit by investment allows a stay of up to 10 years, with the option to renew it once for another 10 years;
- Business Residency is valid for 1 year and can be extended once for an additional 2 years.
- digital nomads holding a White Card can stay in Hungary for up to two years.
How long do you have to live in Hungary to become a citizen?
Foreigners can apply for Hungarian citizenship after 11 years of living in the country: 3 years with a temporary residence permit, followed by 8 years with permanent residency.
However, in certain cases, the required period of permanent residence is shortened. Preferential terms apply to:
- refugees, stateless persons, and direct family members of Hungarian citizens, such as spouses and children, who may apply after 3 years of continuous residence.
- minors, who may qualify after 5 years of continuous residence, provided they were either born in Hungary or established residence before reaching adulthood.
Can I get residency in Hungary if I buy a house?
Property ownership alone does not grant Hungarian residency. However, if an individual invests at least €250,000 in a Hungarian real estate fund and rents or purchases residential property, they can obtain residency in Hungary.
What rights does a Hungary residence permit grant?
A residence permit in Hungary allows one to live in the country for the entire duration of the permit. Hungarian residents can travel visa-free within the Schengen Area. Investors are also permitted to conduct business in Hungary.
How can I move to Hungary permanently?
To move to Hungary permanently, you can start by obtaining a temporary residence permit by investment. After living in Hungary for at least three years with a temporary permit, you can apply for permanent residency.
Do I need a residence permit in Hungary?
Yes, if you plan to stay in Hungary for more than 90 days, or if you wish to live, work, or study there, you will need a residence permit.
How much to invest in Hungary to get citizenship?
You cannot obtain Hungary citizenship by direct investment. To obtain citizenship, you first need to reside in Hungary for three years with a temporary residence permit, followed by an additional eight years with permanent residency.
To obtain a Hungary Golden Visa for 10 years, you need to invest at least €250,000.
Where can I go with a Hungary residence permit?
With a Hungary residence permit, you can travel freely within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Schedule a meeting
Let’s discuss the details
Schedule a meeting at one of the offices or online. A lawyer will analyze the situation, calculate the cost and help you find a solution based on your goals.
Zlata Erlach, Investment Program Expert
