Hungary's "golden visa" in 2026: who it suits and how the process works

Hungary's "golden visa" (officially the Guest Investor Program, the guest investor residence permit) remains the fastest investment residence permit in the European Union: €250,000 into an approved real estate fund, a card for 10 years with the right to extend it for another 10, and processing that takes 4–6 months. The money is paid in only after the visa is approved, and there is no obligation to live in the country.

How the program works

The program has been running since 2024, and there are two investment routes.

You cannot buy an apartment and get a visa in Hungary: the direct housing purchase option was cancelled before the program even started. So far there are two approved funds; we will work out together at a free consultation which one fits your case.

What it costs

The €250,000 is the investment itself, and it is paid in only after the visa is approved, so you do not risk your capital at the application stage. On top of the investment come mandatory payments for processing the application and issuing the documents, as well as the fees of the chosen fund; their size depends on who is in the family. If the application is refused, the service fees are not returned.

Who can be included in the application

The main applicant must be 18 or older, hold a valid passport, show a confirmed lawful source of funds, have no criminal record, and have medical insurance and means of subsistence. Due diligence is carried out twice: at the visa stage, before any money is paid in, and again when the residence permit is issued.

Along with the applicant, the program covers a spouse and minor children. They file their documents in parallel and receive their own cards for the same term once the main applicant is approved.

How the process works

1. Collecting the file and preliminary vetting — about 30 days.
2. The guest investor visa at a Hungarian consulate — about 30 days of review; no money is paid in at this stage.
3. Entering Hungary and filing the residence permit application with biometrics — within 30 days of entry.
4. Paying in the €250,000 — within 3 months after the visa is issued. If the investment is not made on time, the visa is annulled and the residence permit is refused.
5. The residence permit decision — up to 21 days; producing the cards takes another 1–2 months.

From start to cards in hand, that is 4–6 months in total, one of the fastest timelines in Europe.

What the status gives you

The card gives the right to live, work and study in Hungary, with no minimum residence requirement. Schengen is open in tourist mode: 90 days in any half-year.

Permanent residence and citizenship are stricter. Permanent residence is possible only if you actually move: 3 years of continuous residence plus income and housing requirements and an exam. Citizenship requires 8 years of continuous residence and an exam in the Hungarian language. Hungary recognizes dual citizenship.

Taxes and life in Budapest

The residence permit by itself creates no tax obligations. You become a tax resident if you live in the country for at least 183 days a year. The rates are among the most attractive in the EU: 15% personal income tax, 9% corporate tax, and no wealth tax. At the same time, a Hungarian residence permit does not release you from tax obligations in the country where you actually live.

Budapest is one of the most affordable capitals in the EU. A family of four spends about €2,800 a month excluding rent. A two-bedroom apartment costs €700–1,300 a month depending on the district; the Buda districts (II, XI, XII) and District XIII are popular with expat families. Private kindergartens cost €200–1,000 a month, and international schools (British International School Budapest, American International School of Budapest) run about €12,000–28,000 a year. English is enough for everyday life in the city, but government services and the path to a passport require Hungarian.

Downsides and risks

1. Political uncertainty. After the elections in spring 2026 the new government has a constitutional majority, and it has not yet announced its position on the "golden visa". Applying now is a bet that you will manage to get your cards before any possible changes.
2. An investment with no guaranteed return. One of the approved funds was created recently, it has no accumulated track record of returns, and the exit after 5 years is at net asset value.
3. A choice of only two funds, and competition between them is weak.
4. A 10-year card is not the same as permanent residence or citizenship. Without actually moving and learning Hungarian there will be no passport.

Who it suits and who it does not

It suits: people who need a fallback option in the EU and Schengen mobility without an obligation to live in the country; families planning life in an affordable European capital with inexpensive international schools; investors who value fast processing and the "money after approval" model.

It does not suit: people who want to buy property and receive a status (the program has no such option); people whose goal is an EU passport without moving and without the language; conservative investors who need a guaranteed return.

What's next

If you want to see how the Hungarian program fits your family, with its make-up, budget and goals, book a free Migronis consultation: migronis.com/consultation. We will go through your case and tell you whether it is worth applying now or better to choose a different program.