Hungary has kept its investment-based residence route open in 2025 and has made it clear that Indian citizens can apply. The program—known as the Golden Visa or Guest Investor Residence Permit—offers a 10-year residence permit tied to a qualifying investment. Applicants can include close family members and enjoy broad rights to live, work, and study in Hungary. The government confirmed updates in 2024 and early 2025 that narrowed investment choices but kept the core promise: an investment-led path to Long-Term Residence in the heart of Europe.
Key changes and current pathways
Officials relaunched the Guest Investor route on 1 March 2024, then refined it further. By mid-2024, choices were reduced, and in January 2025 the direct property purchase option (previously €500,000) was abolished to ease pressure on the housing market and shift focus to regulated, institution-led capital.
The program now runs with two main pathways:
– €250,000 investment in an approved real estate fund (registered with the Hungarian National Bank)
– €1 million non-refundable donation to a Hungarian public trust that supports higher education, research, or the arts
The residence permit remains valid for 10 years and can be renewed for another 10 years, making it one of the longest-validity investment permits in the region.
Who is eligible?
- Non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals, including Indian citizens, may apply.
- There is no nationality cap or quota in the current rules.
- Families can usually include a spouse, minor children, and in many cases older parents (grandparents aged 65+ may also be included under the current framework).
VisaVerge.com analysis indicates growing demand from India, driven by a desire for an EU base with stable rules, predictable processing, and flexible stay conditions. Schengen mobility, strong schools, and a dynamic tech and manufacturing economy are key attractions.
Timeline and practical deadlines
- Typical processing window after entering the pipeline: 4–6 months.
- Process starts with a short-stay guest investor entry visa.
- Hungary enforces a 93-day window from first entry on the investor visa to:
- complete the investment, and
- file the residence application
This 93-day clock is firm and designed to keep the process moving and get funds working in the economy quickly.
Rights and family benefits
- Live, work, and study in Hungary are allowed for permit holders.
- Schengen travel benefit: holders can spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period in other Schengen states for travel or business.
- School enrollment, healthcare access (via insurance), and ability to engage in local business are available for those meeting program rules.
Eligibility checks and documentation
Applicants face standard investor checks:
– Minimum age: 18
– Clean criminal record
– Proof of legal source of funds
– Valid health insurance
Immigration officers expect a complete file:
– Passport with sufficient validity
– Proof of funds and source
– Clear investment plan
– Police clearance
– Proof of accommodation in Hungary (lease or deed)
In practice, many families keep a base in Budapest or a university town to simplify schooling and travel.
Important: Citizenship is not automatic. Permanent residence and citizenship require additional conditions such as years of actual residence and integration steps (e.g., language skills).
Tax considerations
- Hungary has 15% personal income tax and 9% corporate tax—among the lowest headline corporate rates in the EU.
- The Golden Visa itself does not automatically create tax residence. Tax liability depends on usual residence tests (days in the country, center of vital interests).
- Investors should work with local advisors to plan time in-country, company setup, and family needs.
Details of the two investment routes
Table: Comparison of the two options
| Feature | €250,000 real estate fund | €1,000,000 public trust donation |
|---|---|---|
| Instrument | Fund shares registered with Hungarian National Bank | One-time non-refundable donation |
| Minimum | €250,000 | €1,000,000 |
| Asset requirement | At least 40% of fund assets in residential real estate | N/A (supports education/research/arts) |
| Hold period | 5 years minimum | Donation is non-refundable |
| Liquidity | Market-risk; potential returns | No financial return; social impact |
| Documentation | Proof from fund manager | Proof from public trust |
- The fund option ties capital to regulated institutional investment with at least 40% in residential real estate and a 5-year minimum holding period. Values can fluctuate.
- The donation option is a one-off contribution that supports public missions and is not returned.
Families often favor the fund route for flexibility and potential returns; the donation route is simpler to document but irreversible.
Typical application stages
- Prepare documents and apply for the guest investor entry visa (prove funds and lawful source).
- Enter Hungary and complete the chosen investment within 93 days; obtain official proof from fund manager or trust.
- File the residence permit application with supporting documents.
- If approved, receive the 10-year residence permit (renewable).
Practical tips to avoid delays
- Map the application calendar against school terms and business commitments.
- Budget for legal help, translations, and official fees in addition to the €250,000 or €1,000,000 investment.
- Obtain police clearance certificates early (they can take weeks and must be recent).
- Secure accommodation and keep a clear lease or deed to show a local address.
- Track the 4–6 month processing time and the 93-day investment completion deadline.
- Line up bank statements that trace the source of funds (salary, dividends, business sale, etc.).
- Ensure health insurance covers the intended stay.
Physical presence and long-term goals
- There is no minimum stay requirement to keep the 10-year permit—useful for globally mobile families.
- For permanent residence or citizenship, actual time on the ground and integration (language, ties) are required.
- The law offers a ladder: investment for Long-Term Residence first; proof of ties and presence later to pursue deeper status.
Risks and protections
- Fund route: market risk (potential ups and downs).
- Donation route: non-refundable by design.
- Policy changes can happen; the 2024–2025 updates underline the need to check current rules before wiring funds.
- Best protections: rely on updated rules, use regulated entities, and keep documentation tight from day one.
Use cases and stakeholders
- Employers: anchor senior managers or founders who need time to build teams.
- Students: a stable base for university enrollment and academic tracks.
- Retirees: proximity to family and healthcare via insurance.
- Entrepreneurs: ability to meet EU partners and expand operations.
Common missteps to avoid
- Do not assume the permit grants EU-wide work rights—work/business rights apply in Hungary; Schengen travel is limited to short stays elsewhere.
- Do not delay the investment after entering on the guest investor visa—the 93-day clock is strict.
- Do not ignore tax residence rules if you spend many months in Hungary—plan with advisors.
- Do not expect citizenship without meeting language and residence requirements.
Official guidance and next steps
The immigration authority is the official source for rules and procedures. Applicants should rely on the government portal and submit applications through official channels. As a starting point, consult the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing for current guidance:
– https://www.oif.gov.hu/en/
This is the only external official link you should use for planning and verification.
Final considerations and recommended checklist
The Golden Visa remains open, Indians are eligible, and the two routes (the €250,000 fund or the €1 million donation) are well defined. Before committing:
- Start with a document review and a realistic budget that includes legal help, translations, and insurance.
- Map travel against the 4–6 month processing window and the 93-day investment deadline.
- Decide who to include in the application and prepare proof of dependency if applicable.
- Keep a clear paper trail of the source and path of funds.
- Plan for tax advice if intending to spend substantial time in Hungary.
Key takeaway: The Guest Investor route gives 10 years of residence and Schengen mobility with no minimum stay requirement, but deeper status (permanent residence or citizenship) requires real presence, language, and integration. The program favors applicants with clean records, documented funds, and patient capital—and those who prepare complete files are most likely to see a smooth process.
This Article in a Nutshell
Hungary’s Guest Investor (Golden Visa) program remained open in 2025 and explicitly allows applications from Indian nationals. Following 2024 reforms, the government removed direct property purchases in January 2025 and streamlined options to two routes: a €250,000 investment in a Hungarian National Bank–registered real estate fund (with at least 40% in residential assets and a five-year holding period) or a €1,000,000 non-refundable donation to a public trust that supports higher education, research, or the arts. The permit provides a 10-year residence, renewable for another decade, and Schengen short-stay mobility. Applicants must complete investments within a strict 93-day window after entering on a guest investor visa, and typical processing takes 4–6 months. The permit does not automatically confer tax residency, permanent residence, or citizenship; those require additional presence and integration conditions. Key practical advice includes preparing full documentation, budgeting for fees and professional help, and checking current official rules before transferring funds.
