Hungary vs Portugal vs Greece Golden Visas: Side-by-Side Comparison for 2026

What is the Golden Visa programme and how do Portugal, Greece, and Hungary fit in?

A Golden Visa is a residence-by-investment programme. In EU countries, it is available to non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals. In exchange for a qualifying investment, the applicant receives a residence permit in the host country, along with Schengen travel rights and the option to include family members.

Hungary, Portugal and Greece all offer such programmes, with entry thresholds in each country starting at €250,000, depending on the investment route.

Hungary offers residency through the Guest Investor Programme established under Act XC of 2023[1]. The programme has two qualifying routes, with the lower threshold set at €250,000 for the purchase of units in a real estate investment fund.

Portugal grants residency by investment under Article 90-A of Law 23/2007, as amended by Law 56/2023 of October 6th, 2023[2]. The main route is a €500,000 investment in CMVM-regulated funds.

Greece runs its programme under Law 4251/2014, Article 20B, as amended by Law 5100/2024[3]. It is best known for its property investment route, with thresholds ranging between €250,000 and 800,000 depending on the type and location of the property.

Programme comparison overview

Parameter	Hungary	Portugal	Greece
Minimum investment	€250,000	€250,000	€250,000
Primary route type	Funds, €250,000+	Funds, €500,000+	Real estate, €250,000+
Obtaining period	5+ months	12+ months	4+ months
Minimum stay	None	7 days per year	None
Permit validity and renewal	10 years, renewable once for 10 years	2 years, renewable for 2-year periods	5 years, renewable for 5-year periods
Family scope	Spouse, children under 18, parents	Spouse, children up to 26, parents	Spouse, children under 21, parents
Citizenship eligibility	8 years	5 years	7 years

What are the investment options under the Hungary, Portugal, and Greece Golden Visas?

The Portugal, Greece, and Hungary Golden Visas differ not only in investment thresholds, but also in the range of assets investors can choose. Portugal and Greece each offer five investment options, while Hungary provides two. Although some routes overlap, each programme has its own focus.

Common option: investment funds

Investment funds are the only route available under all three programmes. However, the minimum amount and fund requirements vary by country.

Hungary requires a minimum investment of €250,000. Funds must be licensed to participate in the programme and are listed on the National Bank of Hungary’s website. At least 40% of the fund’s assets must be invested in residential real estate in Hungary. 

Greece sets the threshold at €350,000. To qualify, a fund must have a minimum net asset value of €3,000,000, be managed by an entity licensed by an EU-recognised capital market authority, be established in Greece or another EU country, and invest only in Greece.

Portugal has the highest threshold at €500,000, but it remains the country’s most popular Golden Visa route. Eligible funds must be managed by licensed fund management companies registered with and supervised by the Portuguese Securities Market Commission. At least 60% of the fund’s investments must be directed to Portuguese companies.

Common options shared by the two countries

Business investment is available in Portugal and Greece, with a minimum threshold of €500,000 in both countries. Portugal offers two business routes:

1. The first requires a capital transfer or share capital increase of at least €500,000 in a Portuguese company, together with the creation of at least 5 permanent jobs. 
2. The second applies to the creation or expansion of a business that generates at least 10 jobs. In this case, no minimum investment amount is set.

In Greece, the rules are relatively straightforward, with no additional job-creation conditions attached to the investment.

Portugal and Hungary also offer non-refundable routes linked to culture, education, and public-interest activity, but the investment structure differs in each country.

In Hungary, investors may make a donation of at least €1,000,000 to an institution of higher learning managed by a public-interest trust foundation performing a public task. The donation must support education, scientific research, or artistic and creative activity.

Portugal offers two investment routes related to culture: a €250,000 contribution to arts, culture, or heritage restoration, and a €500,000 investment in research through accredited institutions.

Remaining investment options in Greece

Greece offers a broader mix of Golden Visa investment pathways, with more flexibility within the available options. In addition to investment funds and business investment, the programme includes three other options.

Real estate is Greece’s signature route. The minimum investment depends on the type and location of the property:

• €250,000 — commercial-to-residential conversion projects and listed heritage buildings;
• €400,000 — property in most regional areas;
• €800,000 — property in prime zones, including Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and islands with a population of more than 3,100 residents.

In every case, the investment must involve a single property with a usable area of at least 120 m².

A bank deposit of at least €500,000 also qualifies. The investor must place the funds in a fixed-term deposit with a Greek bank for at least 1 year, with automatic renewal. The account may also include a spouse, partner, and close family members.

Another route is the purchase of Greek government bonds worth at least €500,000. Investors may also qualify by investing €800,000 in corporate or government bonds admitted to trading.

Investment routes by country

Country	Investment funds	Real estate	Business	Non-refundable contribution	Bank deposit	Bonds
Hungary	€250,000	None	None	€1,000,000	None	None
Portugal	€500,000	None	€500,000	€250,000	None	None
Greece	€350,000	€250,000	€500,000	None	€500,000	€500,000

What is the real total cost of the Hungary, Portugal, and Greece Golden Visas?

The minimum investment is only part of the budget. In the Golden Visa programmes, investors should also account for fund-related charges, government fees, health insurance, and travel expenses linked to biometrics and document submission.

Investment-related costs

In Portugal, investors choosing the fund route usually pay subscription, management, and related charges. In practice, total fund fees may reach up to 7.5%.

In Hungary, the fund route involves a fixed administrative fee of €25,000 for the main applicant and €1,000 for each family member. On top of that, maintaining a brokerage account for 5 years costs about €8,700.

In Greece, investors buying real estate should budget for taxes and transaction costs of around 5.5% of the property value.

Application and residence permit fees

In Portugal, the cost is split into two parts and applies to each applicant: an application fee of €632.10 and a residence card issuance fee of €6,314.20.

In Greece, the application fee is €2,000 for the main investor and €150 for each adult family member.

In Hungary, the residence permit costs are much lower: the administrative service fee is €110, and the card issuance fee is HUF 24,000, or about €60.

Additional costs

All three programmes also require valid health insurance for the full period of the requested residence. In practice, the cost usually starts at around €300 per applicant per year, depending on age, provider, and the level of coverage.

Travel-related expenses should also be taken into account when visiting the country for biometrics or other formalities. For a short stay of 2 to 3 nights, average nightly accommodation costs are approximately:

1. Hungary — hotels from $65, holiday rentals around $110.
2. Greece — hotels from $85 to $160, holiday rentals around $180.
3. Portugal — hotels from $100 to $185, holiday rentals around $135.

If the investor plans to stay longer, the monthly rent may become a more relevant benchmark. Average city-centre apartment rents are about €1,360 in Lisbon, €630 in Athens, and €780 in Budapest[4].

Cost breakdown by programme at the lowest investment threshold

Cost category	Hungary	Portugal	Greece
Investment	€250,000	€250,000	€250,000
Related fees	€33,700	None	~ 5.5%, or ~ €13,750
Application and residence permit fees	€170	€6,946.30	€2,000
Health insurance	€300+	€300+	€300+
Biometrics travel, 3 nights	€195+	€300+	€255+
Total	€284,365+	€257,546.40+	€266,305+

Hungary, Portugal, and Greece Golden Visa requirements: eligibility, stay rules, and holding period

The Hungary, Portugal, and Greece Golden Visa programmes follow broadly similar rules on applicant eligibility, stay requirements, and the period during which the investment must be maintained.

Eligibility

Applicants under the Portugal, Greece, and Hungary Golden Visa programmes are subject to similar requirements. In general, they must:

• be non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals;
• be at least 18 years old;
• have a clean criminal record, confirmed by an official certificate issued in the country of citizenship or residence;
• hold valid health insurance covering the country of investment;
• provide clear evidence of the source of funds and source of wealth, showing that the assets were obtained lawfully;
• confirm that the investment funds were transferred from outside the destination country;
• not be subject to EU sanctions or an active travel ban.

Stay requirement

Golden Visas are known for their low or even zero stay requirements. Of the three programmes, only Portugal imposes a mandatory physical presence rule, with holders needing to spend at least 7 days per year in the country. Greece and Hungary do not set such a condition.

Holding period

The minimum holding period under the Portugal, Greece, and Hungary Golden Visa programmes is 5 years. During this time, the investor is expected to keep the qualifying investment in place in order to comply with the programme rules.

This period serves as a clear legal benchmark. If the investment is withdrawn before the 5 years end, the applicant may stop meeting the conditions for the Golden Visa. After 5 years, the minimum holding requirement is considered fulfilled.

How family inclusion works in Portugal, Greece, and Hungary Golden Visas

The Hungary, Portugal, and Greece Golden Visa programmes all allow investors to include family members, but the scope of eligible relatives and the conditions for their inclusion differ. The main differences concern partners, parents, and the age limits that apply to dependent children.

Spouse

Across all three programmes, applicants may include not only a spouse, but also a partner. In Hungary and Greece, the partnership must be officially registered. 

In Portugal, an unmarried partner may qualify if the relationship has lasted at least 2 years and this can be proved, such as through joint residence registration, a cohabitation certificate, joint bank account statements, or other documents.

Portugal and Greece also expressly allow the inclusion of same-sex couples.

Children

Children can be included only up to a certain age:

• up to 18 in Hungary;
• up to 21 in Greece;
• up to 26 in Portugal.

To qualify for the Greece Golden Visa, children must be unmarried. In Portugal, children aged 18 to 26 must also be unmarried, financially dependent on the investor, and either live with the applicant or study at a university.

Parents

Parents can be included under the Greece, Portugal, and Hungary Golden Visa programmes, regardless of age. Greece applies the most flexible approach, as it does not require parents to prove financial dependency. 

In Portugal and Hungary, dependency must be demonstrated, while Hungary also requires pension payments to be the parent’s only source of income.

Family inclusion by programme

Family member	Hungary	Portugal	Greece
Spouse	Yes	Yes	Yes
Partner	Yes, with a registered partnership	Yes, with a partnership of 2+ years	Yes, with a partnership registered in Greece
Children	Under 18	Up to 26, if single, dependent, and studying	Up to 21, single
Parents	Yes, if financially dependent	Yes, if financially dependent	Yes

How processing, permit validity and renewal differ under the Hungary, Portugal, and Greece Golden Visas

The Hungary, Portugal, and Greece Golden Visa programmes follow different timelines not only at the application stage, but also after approval. The main differences concern how quickly the permit is issued, how long it remains valid, and how often the investor must renew it.

Processing time

Greece is generally the fastest of the three. In practice, the Golden Visa is often obtained in about 4 months, while Hungary usually takes around 5 months. Portugal remains the slowest route and can take 12 months or more.

Portugal’s longer timeline is largely due to administrative backlogs. The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, AIMA, has begun clearing older cases and, in February 2026, moved Golden Visa renewals to an online portal to speed up the process.

Permit validity

Hungary stands out for the longest permit validity. The Guest Investor residence permit is granted for up to 10 years and may be extended once for another 10 years.

Greece grants a 5-year residence permit, which can be renewed every 5 years. Portugal issues the Golden Visa residence permit for 2 years and renews it for further 2-year periods. Unlike Hungary, there is no fixed cap on the number of renewals, provided the investor continues to meet the programme conditions.

Permit renewal

In all three countries, renewal is possible only if the investor continues to meet the programme conditions and can prove that the qualifying investment is still in place.

Hungary has the clearest renewal rule: the extension must be filed from within the country through the Enter Hungary platform, and the application must be submitted at least 30 days before the permit expires.

Portugal and Greece are less specific on timing. Their official sources do not set a fixed number of days before expiry for renewal, but the application should be started before the permit runs out.

Processing and validity comparison at a glance

Criteria	Hungary	Portugal	Greece
Processing time	5+ months	12+ months	4+ months
Initial permit duration	10 years	2 years	5 years
Renewal period	10 years, only once	2-year increments	5-year increments
Stay required for renewal	None	7 days per year	None

Tax considerations for the Hungary, Portugal, and Greece Golden Visa holders

Tax treatment is an important part of any Golden Visa comparison, as residence rights do not automatically lead to tax residency, and the tax outcome depends on how much time the investor spends in the country and what types of income they receive.

Tax residency triggers

A Golden Visa does not by itself make the investor a tax resident. In Portugal, Greece, and Hungary, tax residency is triggered by:

• spending more than 183 days in the country;
• or by other connecting factors such as a habitual home or centre of vital interests. 

Once tax residency is triggered, the person is taxed on worldwide income.

Personal income taxation

Hungary stands out as the most attractive option for personal income tax, as it applies a flat 15% rate to most main categories of personal income, including employment, rental income, dividends, interest, and most capital gains[5].

In Portugal, the progressive tax scale applies and ranges from 12.5 to 48%:

• up to €8,059 → 12.5%;
• €8,059—12,160 → 15.7%;
• €12,160—17,233 → 21.2%;
• €17,233—22,306 → 24.1%;
• €22,306—28,400 → 31.1%;
• €28,400—41,629 → 34.9%;
• €41,629—44,987 → 43.1%;
• €44,987—83,696 → 44.6%;
• €83,696+ → 48%.

The rates apply to employment, business, professional, and pension income[6]. Other income, such as rental income and dividends, is taxed separately[7].

In Greece, employment income, pensions, and self-employed income are also taxed at the following progressive rates:

• up to €10,000 → 9%;
• €10,001—20,000 → 22%;
• €20,001—30,000 → 28%;
• €30,001—40,000 → 36%;
• over €40,000 → 44%[8].

Other income categories are taxed under different rules[9].

Personal income tax rates by income type in Hungary, Portugal, and Greece

Income	Hungary	Portugal	Greece
Employment, business, pensions	15%	12.5—48%	9—44%
Rental income	15%	25%	15—45%
Dividends and interest	15%	28%	5% and 15%
Capital gains	15%	28%	15%
Royalties	15%	12.5—48%	20%

Special tax regimes

Hungary is the only one of the three countries without a special tax regime. In practice, this is not a major drawback, as the country already applies a relatively low standard personal income tax rate.

Greece offers a special flat-tax regime for new tax residents, designed to reduce exposure to tax on foreign income. Under this regime, the beneficiary pays a flat €100,000 per year on foreign-source income instead of the ordinary progressive tax scale. Each additional family member may join the regime for €20,000 per year per person. 

To qualify, the applicant must transfer tax residency to Greece and must not have been a Greek tax resident for 7 out of the previous 8 years. The regime can be used for up to 15 years[10].

Portugal’s IFICI special tax regime is narrower in scope and targets highly qualified professionals working in innovation-related fields. Under this regime:

• eligible employment and professional income earned in Portugal is taxed at a flat 20% rate;
• most foreign-source income is exempt;
• pension income remains subject to progressive taxation. 

To qualify, the applicant must carry out a high-skilled activity for an eligible entity and meet specific education or professional experience requirements, usually at least EQF or ISCED level 5 — a post-secondary qualification level used in international and European education frameworks. The regime is available for up to 10 years[11].

How the Hungary, Portugal, and Greece Golden Visa programmes have evolved in recent years

Since 2023, the Hungary, Portugal, and Greece Golden Visa programmes have undergone major changes. The main trend has been tighter rules and revised investment routes.

Programmes' statistics

Greece. As of March 2026, Greece had 87,356 Golden Visa residence permits in force, including investors and their family members, both first-time grants and renewals. Chinese nationals account for the largest share by a wide margin, followed by applicants from Lebanon, Türkiye, the UK, the US, Iran, Israel, and Egypt[12].

Portugal. By the end of 2024, Portugal had granted around 40,000 Golden Visa approvals, including both investors and family members. The largest group of applicants comes from China, followed by Brazil, the US, Türkiye, and South Africa[13].

Hungary. Hungary is a much newer programme, so its numbers remain far lower. By the end of February 2025, 192 Guest Investor visa applications and 25 residence-permit applications had been filed. Reported applicants came mainly from China and Vietnam[14].

Real estate route removed in Portugal and Hungary

Portugal made the first major change. Law 56/2023 removed real estate from the Golden Visa in October 2023 as part of the government’s housing reform package[15]. As a result, investor interest shifted to other routes, mainly investment funds, as well as culture, research, and business.

Hungary moved in a similar direction. When the Guest Investor Program launched in 2024, it included the fund and the public-interest donation routes. A direct property purchase option of €500,000 was expected to start in January 2025, but it was cancelled before taking effect. This left funds as the main investment route.

Hungary: a relaunched programme

Hungary’s current Golden Visa is one of the youngest in the EU, but it is not the country’s first residence-by-investment programme. Between 2013 and 2017, Hungary offered permanent residence through residency bonds. That route was later closed amid criticism over opaque intermediary companies, the profits they earned, and broader corruption concerns.

After several years away from the market, Hungary relaunched its offer in 2024 under the Guest Investor Programme. It is narrower and structured differently. Rather than granting permanent residence from the outset, it begins with a Guest Investor Visa and leads to a residence permit valid for 10 years, with one further 10-year renewal. In total, the status may last up to 20 years.

Portugal: tax and administration changes

End of the NHR regime. Portugal’s changes were not limited to investment routes. The old Non-Habitual Resident tax regime closed to new entrants from January 1st, 2024, and was replaced by the IFICI regime, which is narrower and aimed at highly qualified professionals in eligible innovation-related activities[16].

Transfer from SEF to AIMA. At the same time, Portugal also changed its immigration administration. The previous foreigners and borders services SEF shifted responsibility to the existing Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, AIMA, in 2024. It now manages the Golden Visa system and its online portal for applications and document uploads.

Golden Visa backlog. When SEF was replaced by AIMA, about 50,000 Golden Visa applicants and relatives were still waiting for decisions. As Golden Visa cases were not treated as a priority, some investors faced delays of up to 40 months[17]. 

Many applicants went to court to push delayed cases forward, which led to a wave of lawsuits. The government then tightened the rules by requiring proof of urgency and introducing court fees[18]. 

Planned clearance in 2026. In October 2025, the Minister of the Presidency said 93% of pending immigration regularisation cases had been resolved, with Golden Visa backlogs expected to be cleared in 2026[19].

Greece: higher thresholds and tighter property rules

Greece kept the property route, but made it more selective. Before the 2024 reform, Greece required a €250,000 property investment, while certain higher-demand areas were subject to a €500,000 threshold.

Law 5100/2024 replaced the earlier simpler threshold structure with a tiered system: 

• €250,000 for commercial-to-residential conversions and listed heritage buildings;
• €400,000 for most regional areas;
• €800,000 for high-demand zones such as Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and islands with more than 3,100 residents.

The same reform also introduced a minimum size requirement of 120 m² for qualifying single-property investments. It was intended to increase the availability of properties on the market by preventing investors from combining several smaller units to qualify[20].

Another important change is the tighter use restriction on the qualifying property. Greece now prohibits short-term tourist rentals of Golden Visa properties, which makes the route less flexible for investors who want to combine residency with short-let income.

How to qualify for citizenship after the Hungary, Portugal, and Greece Golden Visas

The route to citizenship differs sharply across the Golden Visa programmes. Legal eligibility alone is not enough: in practice, investors must also consider physical presence rules, the possible need to obtain permanent residence first, and language and integration requirements.

Maintain presence requirement

Portugal stands out for the lightest residence requirement. Golden Visa holders need to spend only 7 days per year in the country, which makes the route more flexible for investors who do not plan to relocate.

Greece and Hungary are less flexible in practice. To build a realistic path to citizenship, the investor is generally expected to live in the country for most of the year, usually more than 183 days annually.

Obtain permanent residency

In Greece, obtaining permanent residence is the first step on the way to citizenship. This status becomes available after 5 years of residence in the country.

In Hungary, permanent residence may become available after 3 years. However, the law does not clearly state whether it is a mandatory step before citizenship for Golden Visa investors.

Wait for the required citizenship period

The statutory timeline to citizenship differs across the three countries. Under the current rules, Portugal allows naturalisation after 5 years of legal residence, Greece after 7 years, and Hungary after 8 years of continuous residence[21]. 

Portugal may become less favourable soon: the Portuguese Parliament approved changes to the Nationality Law in October 2025, including a longer 10-year residence period for most applicants. The reform is still awaiting the President’s decision and is therefore not yet in force[22].

Meet language and integration requirements

All three countries require applicants to show a language proficiency before citizenship is granted:

1. Portugal — A2 level Portuguese.
2. Greece — B1 level Greek.
3. Hungary — sufficient knowledge of Hungarian; Immigrant Invest lawyers recommend aiming for at least B1 level[23].

In addition to language proficiency, applicants for citizenship must also demonstrate integration into the country. This may include showing knowledge of its history, geography, culture, and political institutions.

Citizenship pathway comparison

Parameter	Portugal	Greece	Hungary
Permanent residency pathway	5 years	5 years	3 years
Residence period for citizenship	5 years	7 years	8 years
Physical presence required	7 days per year	Continuous presence	Continuous presence
Language requirement	A2 Portuguese	B1 Greek	B1 Hungarian recommended

Risks and pitfalls of the Hungary, Portugal, and Greece Golden Visa programmes

Golden Visa investors face both country-specific risks and broader issues that arise at the application and investment. The most common pitfalls concern compliance, tax exposure, liquidity, timing, and the gap between the advertised minimum investment and the real total cost.

Failing Due Diligence checks

All three programmes involve strict Due Diligence. A weak explanation of the source of funds, gaps in financial records, past compliance issues, or inconsistencies in the application can lead to delays or refusal. This is why the legal side of the case matters as much as the investment itself.

Unexpected tax residency

A Golden Visa does not automatically make the investor a tax resident, but tax residency can still be triggered if the investor spends too much time in the country or shifts their centre of vital interests there. Once this happens, worldwide income may become taxable in the new country of residence. 

Limited liquidity and difficult exit

The qualifying investment is not always easy to exit. This is especially relevant for fund-based routes, where the money may be tied up for years and redemption depends on the fund’s own terms. Investors should assess not only the entry threshold, but also how and when the investment can realistically be sold, redeemed, or otherwise recovered.

Missing key application deadlines

Application timing can also create problems. Hungary has some of the strictest deadlines: the Guest Investor Visa is valid for only 6 months, and the investment must be completed within 3 months after the residence application is filed. 

Portugal has a different practical bottleneck, as applicants must attend biometrics in person, and delays in scheduling can slow the process significantly.

Underestimating the real cost

The minimum investment threshold is not the same as the total amount the investor will actually spend. On top of the qualifying investment, there are usually additional costs such as taxes, notary fees, legal fees, translations, insurance, and government charges. 

In Greece, for example, property buyers may face a transfer tax of about 3.09% of the property value, plus notary, agent, legal, and application costs. On an €800,000 property, these extra expenses can add roughly €60,000 to 80,000 in upfront non-recoverable costs. Investors should therefore assess the full budget, not just the headline threshold.

Investment made before approval

In Portugal and Greece, the investment is completed before the residence application is filed. This creates a practical risk: if the application is later refused, the investment is not automatically returned by the state. This risk does not arise in Hungary, where the residence application is submitted before the investment is made.

Recovery of funds depends on the nature of the asset. A property may need to be sold, a fund may have limited redemption options, and a donation route is by nature non-refundable.

Greece: property qualification and yield risk

Greece carries an additional layer of risk for property investors. The programme is often advertised with a €250,000 entry point, but this threshold applies only to specific assets, such as commercial-to-residential conversions or listed heritage buildings that meet the legal criteria. 

In most prime areas, the real threshold is higher. If an investor commits to a property without checking the zone, legal status, and conversion or renovation licence, the asset may fail to qualify.

Projected returns can also be misleading. Law 5100/2024 prohibits short-term tourist rentals for Golden Visa properties, so income assumptions based on Airbnb-style yields may be unrealistic. Long-term residential rental remains possible, but it usually produces lower returns than short-let models.

Which Golden Visa is best for your investor profile: Portugal, Greece, or Hungary?

There is no single Golden Visa that is best for everyone. The right choice depends on the investor’s main goal, whether it is a long permit term, a realistic path to citizenship, property ownership, family inclusion, or tax efficiency.

For investors seeking the longest residence permit from the outset, Hungary stands out. Its Golden Visa is granted for 10 years from the start, which is longer than in Portugal or Greece.

For investors who prioritise faster processing, Greece and Hungary are the strongest options. Greece is the fastest, with a timeline of about 4 months, while Hungary usually follows at around 5 months.

For investors focused on a citizenship track, Portugal remains the strongest option. The programme combines a very light stay requirement of just 7 days per year with a relatively accessible A2 Portuguese language requirement.

For property-first lifestyle buyers, Greece is the clearest choice. It remains the main EU Golden Visa built around direct real estate investment, and the €250,000 entry point also exists for specific assets such as converted commercial properties or listed buildings.

For families with adult children, Portugal is often the most flexible option, as dependent children may qualify up to the age of 26.

For tax efficiency, Hungary is the most attractive of the three. It applies a flat 15% personal income tax to most main categories of personal income, including employment income, rental income, dividends, interest, and most capital gains.

How Immigrant Invest can help with the Hungary, Portugal, and Greece Golden Visa programmes

Immigrant Invest is an investment migration company with over 20 years of experience in residence and citizenship by investment. The company has helped more than 10,000 clients and operates through 11 offices worldwide. Our team advises investors on programmes in Europe, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.

For Portugal, Greece, and Hungary, Immigrant Invest provides the following services:

• preliminary consultation and programme selection;
• mandatory pre-submission Due Diligence check;
• investment strategy and route selection;
• document preparation and application support;
• application filing and follow-up;
• cost breakdown before financial commitment;
• post-approval support.

Immigrant Invest supports investors throughout the whole process, from the first assessment to permit renewal and long-term planning. This helps make the route more structured, transparent, and predictable.

Key takeaways: Portugal vs Greece vs Hungary Golden Visas

1. Portugal, Greece, and Hungary Golden Visas grant residence rights in the issuing country, along with Schengen travel and the option to include family members.
2. The Hungary Golden Visa offers the longest initial residence permit of the three, valid for 10 years, with processing usually taking at least 5 months.
3. The most common route in Portugal and Hungary is investment funds, with thresholds of €500,000 and €250,000, respectively.
4. Greece is best known for its real estate route, with investment thresholds ranging from €250,000 to €800,000.
5. A Golden Visa does not automatically make the investor a tax resident. Tax residency usually arises after spending more than 183 days in the country or shifting the centre of vital interests there.
6. All three programmes involve strict Due Diligence checks, including verification of the source of funds, background, and overall compliance profile.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. Source: OIF — Residence permit for guest investor
2. Source: AIMA — Portugal Golden Visa
3. Source: Ministry of Migration and Asylum — Greece Golden Visa
4. Source: Numbeo — Cost of living in Lisbon, Athens, and Budapest
5. Source: PwC — Taxes on personal income in Hungary
6. Source: PwC — Personal income tax in Portugal
7. Source: Portal das Finanças — Taxation of capital income and royalties
8. Source: PwC — Personal income tax in Greece
9. Source: AADE — Income categories and income taxation in Greece
10. Source: Greek Independent Authority for Public Revenue — Tax incentives in order to attract new tax residents
11. Source: Portal das Finanças — IFICI regime
12. Source: Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum — Legal Migration March 2026
13. Source: AIMA — Relatório de Migrações e Asilo 2023, 2024, and SEF Residence Permit for Investment Activity statistics
14. Source: Szabad Europa — Only 25 Guest Investor residence permits have been requested so far
15. Source: Diário da República — Law No. 56/2023
16. Source: Portal das Finanças — Register as a Non-Habitual Resident
17. Source: Portugal processing time news by VisaVerge and Schengen News
18. Source: Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda official website
19. Source: The Portugal News — “Good news” for golden visa applicants in Portugal
20. Source: Greek Housing Policy Portal — Increase in the minimum real estate investment and Restriction of Golden Visa investment to one property over 120 sq.m
21. Source: Citizenship eligibility in Portugal, Greece, and Hungary
22. Source: Presidency of the Portuguese Republic — Veto of amendments to the Nationality Law
23. Source: Citizenship language requirement in Portugal, Greece, and Hungary