Hungary Guest Investor visa requirements
Hungary has no retirement visa: since 2024 the guest investor permit is the route open to people who do not work, with €250,000 in a Hungarian real estate fund for up to 10 years.
What the law asks for, what the government charges, and how the application runs. Checked against Hungary's official sources on Oct 8, 2026.
- Investment
- €250,000 (about $279,430) invested in units of a real estate fund registered by the Hungarian National Bank, held for at least 5 years (or a €1,000,000 donation to a Hungarian university). Act XC of 2023; Immigration Directorate. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Residency
- Up to 10 years, renewable once Act XC of 2023; Immigration Directorate. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Government fees
- HUF 26,000 (about $80) Residence permit application filed on the Enter Hungary portal. Immigration Directorate fees. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Lawyer
- Not required Act XC of 2023; Immigration Directorate. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Who qualifies for the Guest Investor visa
Since Hungary's aliens law was rewritten in 2024, there is no permit for retirees or people living on a pension or savings. The guest investor permit is the one route that needs neither a job, studies nor a family tie in Hungary: you buy at least €250,000 of units in a Hungarian real estate fund and hold them for 5 years, and the permit runs up to 10 years.
Buying a home directly does not qualify. The law accepts only the fund units or a donation of at least €1,000,000 to a university maintained by a public-interest trust foundation; after a donation the permit is renewed without a further investment.
Unlike most permits, this one does not require proof of means of subsistence or full health insurance: the law leaves those general conditions out for guest investors.
The permit allows work in Hungary without restriction, including self-employment and serving as a company director. Any change in the investment details must be reported on Enter Hungary within 5 days.
Guest investors are not excluded from the national residence card, a permanent status valid up to 10 years, for which you can apply after 3 years of lawful and unbroken residence in Hungary.
Guest Investor visa documents
Every residence permit
- Application form, filled in and signed, or the online form on the Enter Hungary portal
- Valid passport
- One passport photo
- Proof of a place to live in Hungary: a lease, a deed of free use, a title deed or a booked and paid stay
Immigration Directorate. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
This visa
- Certificate from the fund manager or distributor that you bought €250,000 of fund units in your name
- Statement from your securities account provider that the units sit in a sub-account blocked for at least 5 years, and a waiver of securities secrecy for that purpose
Immigration Directorate. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Guest Investor visa fees
| Residence permit application filed on the Enter Hungary portal | HUF 26,000 (about $80) |
| Residence permit application filed in person at an immigration office, instead of online | HUF 39,000 (about $120) |
| Guest investor visa, at a Hungarian consulate | €110 (about $120) |
| Renewal of the residence permit | HUF 26,000 (about $80) |
Immigration Directorate fees. Checked Oct 8, 2026. Lawyer and agency fees are not set by law; ask for a fixed written quote.
How the application runs
- Choose a qualifying fundBuy at least €250,000 of units in a real estate fund registered by the Hungarian National Bank whose manager is on the government's list of qualified managers. At least 40% of the fund's net assets must be Hungarian residential property, and the units must stay in a blocked account for 5 years.
- Enter HungaryNationals who can visit Hungary without a visa simply arrive. Everyone else first gets a guest investor visa at a Hungarian consulate for €110; it is valid for 6 months.
- Apply within 30 daysWithin 30 days of your first entry, apply on the Enter Hungary portal for 26,000 Ft or in person at the regional immigration office for 39,000 Ft. You must still go in person to give your photo, fingerprints and signature.
- Prove the investmentUpload the fund and blocked-account certificates to your application while your visa is valid, or within 6 months of first entry if you came without a visa. The decision takes 21 days, not counting that time, and the card comes by post.
- Renew while you hold the unitsApply online at least 30 days before the permit expires. It is renewed for up to 10 more years if you still hold the fund units.
Spouses and children
Your spouse, minor children and dependent parents can apply for a family reunification permit. When the sponsor holds a guest investor permit, the family permit can run up to 10 years and be renewed for up to 10 years at a time, but never beyond the sponsor's permit.
Act XC of 2023. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Other ways to live in Hungary
White Card (digital nomad residence permit)
For people employed by, or owning a profitable company in, a country other than Hungary who work remotely from Hungary. It needs net income of at least €3,000 a month in the 6 months before entry and throughout the stay, plus health insurance. It lasts up to 1 year and can be extended once by 1 year; family cannot join on it, you cannot switch to another permit from inside Hungary, and it does not lead to the national residence card.
Act XC of 2023; Immigration Directorate. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Guest Investor visa questions
Is there a retirement visa for Hungary?
No. Since 2024 Hungary has no permit based on a pension or savings. People who do not work or study in Hungary and have no family tie there use the guest investor permit, which needs €250,000 in a Hungarian real estate fund held for 5 years.
Can you get residency in Hungary by buying property?
No. Buying a home directly does not qualify for the guest investor permit. Only units of at least €250,000 in a real estate fund registered by the Hungarian National Bank, or a €1,000,000 donation to a Hungarian university, count.
How long does the Hungarian guest investor permit last?
Up to 10 years, renewable once for up to 10 more years as long as you still hold the fund units. After 3 years of lawful and unbroken residence you can apply for the national residence card.
How much does a Hungarian residence permit cost?
The application fee is 26,000 Ft online on the Enter Hungary portal or 39,000 Ft in person. Those who need a guest investor visa pay €110 at the consulate first, and renewal costs 26,000 Ft.
