Eligibility quiz
Have you bought, or will you buy, at least EUR 250,000 in shares in a Hungarian real-estate fund in your own name?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Hungary
You can live in Hungary for up to 10 years, with no minimum stay.
You can extend your stay for the same purpose for up to 10 more years if you still meet the conditions.
Work in Hungary
You can work for any employer, work independently or run a company or other income-producing organisation in Hungary.
Your work does not have to be connected to your investment.
Visit Schengen countries
With your residence card and a valid travel document, you can visit other Schengen countries for normally up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
How to apply
From outside HungaryFrom outside Hungary
Find your consulate
Find the Hungarian consulate where you can apply for a guest investor visa. It is normally in the country where you live permanently or usually, or the country of your nationality.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Hungarian consulate serving your city accepts guest investor visa applications?”
Download the visa form
Download the application form for a visa for guest investors.
Find the visa formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download the Hungary visa for guest investors application form?”
Fill in the form
Fill in and sign the guest investor visa application form.
Get form helpSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Hungary visa for guest investors application form?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your visa and residence permit applications.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Arrange an appointment with the consulate if it requires one for your guest investor visa application.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I arrange an appointment at the Hungarian consulate serving your city for a guest investor visa?”
Hand in your application
Take your signed form and required documents to the consulate in person, and provide the photo and biometric information it asks for. Pay the visa fee as the consulate instructs.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Hungary guest investor visa application at the consulate serving your city?”
Wait for your visa
Wait for the consulate's decision and respond if it asks for more information or documents. Follow its instructions to receive your visa.
See visa decision informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Hungary guest investor visa decision take at a consulate?”
Travel to Hungary
Enter Hungary with your guest investor visa. Apply for your residence permit while the visa is still valid.
Find entry informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter Hungary with a guest investor visa to apply for a guest investor residence permit?”
Once in HungaryOnce in Hungary
Fill in your application
Create or use your Enter Hungary account, open “My Cases” and select “new application”. Choose the guest investor residence permit, fill in the required fields and upload your documents.
Start your applicationSubmit your application
Submit your completed application through Enter Hungary before your guest investor visa expires. You can instead apply in person at the immigration office responsible for your accommodation.
Submit your applicationPay the fee online
Use the payment link shown after submission to pay the residence permit application fee.
Pay the feeComplete your investment
If you have not yet made your investment, complete it before your guest investor visa expires.
Find investment informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I complete an investment for a Hungary guest investor residence permit?”
Upload your investment proof
Upload proof that you completed your investment through your immigration case on Enter Hungary before your guest investor visa expires. Do not wait for the office to ask for it.
Upload your proofAttend any requested appointment
If the immigration office asks you to attend, go to the appointment and provide any biometric information or original documents it requests.
Find appointment informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I attend an immigration office appointment for a Hungary guest investor residence permit?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the immigration office to decide your residence permit application. Answer its questions and provide any additional documents it requests.
See decision informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Hungary guest investor residence permit decision take?”
Report your accommodation
After approval, follow the immigration office's instructions to report your accommodation and provide any other reports it asks for.
Find reporting instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I report my accommodation after approval of a Hungary guest investor residence permit?”
Receive your residence card
Collect or receive your residence card as the immigration office instructs. It records your permission to live in Hungary as a guest investor.
Find card instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive my Hungary guest investor residence permit card after approval?”
Documents needed
Required to applyRequired to apply
Proof of living funds
Provide evidence that you can cover your living costs, accommodation and return or onward travel. This can include last year’s income statement from the tax office, proof of earnings, an employer’s certificate for regular income from abroad, a tax office certificate for foreign income, or a bank account certificate.
Proof of departure funds
Provide proof of a bank account balance sufficient to cover your travel and departure expenses. Your evidence of funds can also help show that you can support yourself during your stay.
Proof of healthcare
Provide a Hungarian social-security card, a comprehensive health insurance policy with proof that its premium has been paid, or a bank statement showing enough money to cover possible healthcare costs. Your coverage or funds must be sufficient for your stay.
Copy of your passport
Make a full copy of your valid passport or other travel document for your residence permit application. Your travel document must also allow you to return or travel onward.
Proof of accommodation
Provide evidence of where you will stay in Hungary, such as a lease, a document allowing you to use a home, an ownership document, a paid accommodation booking or an accommodation guarantee declaration. If you are buying a home, you can provide the sale contract and the government office’s decision authorising the purchase; if someone has a right to use the home, their consent may also be needed. For a visa application, give your Hungarian accommodation address.
Application forms
Complete the guest-investor visa form if you need a visa, and the guest-investor residence permit application for your permit. If you apply for the visa in a country where you do not live and of which you are not a national, add evidence explaining why you are applying there. You can complete the residence permit application through Enter Hungary.
Departure declaration
Provide a declaration that you will leave voluntarily if your application is refused. Use the declaration linked from the visa instructions.
Investment certificate
Get a certificate from the fund manager or distributor confirming your investment-fund share of at least €250,000, or from the qualifying higher-education institution confirming your donation of at least €1,000,000. Upload proof of your completed investment through Enter Hungary without waiting to be asked: within your visa’s validity, or within six months of your first lawful entry if you do not need a visa.
Parental consent *
Provide consent from your parent or legal representative for your stay in Hungary. It must cover the period you plan to stay.
* Only if you are under 18.
Investment funds certificate *
Get a certificate from a bank or other credit institution showing that the funds needed for your investment are permanently available. The institution can be in Hungary or abroad.
* Only if you apply for a guest-investor visa before completing your investment.
Passport photo *
Provide one facial photograph of yourself for your visa application. Your consulate will also take your biometric details.
* Only if you apply for a guest-investor visa.
Investment declaration *
Provide a declaration stating which qualifying investment you will make within your visa’s validity. Use the declaration linked from the visa instructions.
* Only if you apply for a guest-investor visa before completing your investment.
Power of attorney *
Provide a power of attorney naming your legal representative. It authorises them to act for you.
* Only if a legal representative acts for you.
Source of funds *
Provide evidence showing where your investment funds came from. This could be an official document or a private document with full evidential force showing how you acquired the money or assets, or proof of taxable regular employment or business income.
* Only if you apply for a guest-investor visa before completing your investment.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Keeping your status
You must keep meeting the conditions, including having a valid travel document, accommodation, enough money and health cover or the ability to pay for care.
Report changes when required by immigration and address rules.
If you invested in a real-estate fund, you must hold the qualifying investment note continuously for at least five years.
Residence can be lost
Your status ends on expiry unless extended, and can be taken away if conditions fail or the required investment is not made or verified.
False documents or information, security risks, criminality, an entry or stay ban, or a Schengen alert can also lead to loss.
Some departures from Hungary and other legal exclusions can also trigger loss.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Hungary Immigration Help
English Facebook group for people living in Hungary interested in Hungarian visas
Request to joinExpats in Hungary
English Facebook group for people living in Hungary interested in Hungarian visas
Join on FacebookImmigration Forum Hungary for Foreigners /nVisa/
English Facebook group for people living in Hungary interested in Hungarian visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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