Hungary introduces new investment immigration program

Investment immigration in Hungary

The current investment immigration program is not the first such program implemented in Hungary, and just like the last one, it is expected to attract many Chinese, Russian, and Arabic investors. The new program is officially called guest investor program, but informally it is often referred to as Hungarian golden visa.

Thanks to this new opportunity, you can get Hungarian residency for up to 10 years, which can be extended upon expiry. You can include your closest family members too (meaning spouse and children who are not yet 18 years old).

What makes the Hungarian program extremely attractive beside the 10-year validity is that there is no minimum stay requirement, so you can renew the residence permit upon expiry even if you spent little to no time in Hungary. Moreover, processing time is significantly shorter than in other EU programs, so you will get a document that allows you visa-free travel in the Schengen zone in no time.

To become eligible for guest investor residency, you are required to make an investment in line with one of the following options:

EUR 250,000 investment in the bonds of a state approved real estate fund
EUR 500,000 investment in Hungarian residential real estate – you can move in yourself or rent it out
EUR 1,000,000 donation to a state approved higher education institution

The first step: apply for your guest investor visa

Application for the program has opened on 1 July 2024. This means you can already take the first step, which is applying for a guest investor visa that will let you travel to Hungary and make your investment. To sum up, you can expect the following process:

Step 1: Apply for the guest investor visa. For that, you have to decide which investment option you are interested in, make a declaration of your intentions, and get a proof of funds that will tell the authorities you have the relevant sum available to you.

Step 2: Travel to Hungary with your guest investor visa and make the investment you pledged within 3 months of receiving your guest investor visa. You will receive an investment certificate that will tell the authorities that you have fulfilled your pledge, and you can use that to apply for a residence permit. In the meanwhile, you can use the visa you already have.

Step 3: Apply for the guest investor residence permit for yourself and your family members, which will be valid for up to 10 years. Your residence permit will let you travel visa-free anywhere in the Schengen zone, and you will be able to renew it for another 10 years when it expires.

How to get started?

If you think the Hungarian golden visa program is something that fits your plans and goals, it is best to contact a provider like Helpers Hungary that is experienced in investment and immigration procedures in Hungary. They will be able to guide you through the entire process, help you choose and realize the investment that suits you most, and assist with the visa and subsequent residency applications.

The sooner you get started, the sooner you can get hold of your document that will let you start a new life in Europe. To learn more before you make your decision, or to go ahead immediately, check out the program description at the Helpers website, and contact their team of experts now.

About Helpers Hungary

Helpers Hungary is Hungary’s leading business, immigration, and investment service provider with a team of more than 20 professionals and 20 years of experience. Their extensive local know-how and commitment to assisting clients make working with them a smooth and worry-free experience when you are preparing for your new ventures in Europe. Make sure to check out their services on their website: www.helpers.hu.