Hungary's Guest Investor Program Sets €250,000 Minimum for 10-Year Residency

Hungary has fully activated its Guest Investor Program, giving high-net-worth non-EU nationals a route to long-term European residency through qualifying investments. The framework, introduced under immigration reforms that took effect on July 1, 2024, is now processed digitally through the Enter Hungary platform after an initial consular application.

What changed

Third-country nationals (non-EU and non-EEA citizens) can now obtain a renewable 10-year Hungarian residence permit by committing capital through one of three approved routes:

• €250,000 into investment certificates from a Hungarian real estate fund — the lowest entry point.
• €500,000 to purchase unencumbered residential property with an official topographical number.
• €1 million as a donation to an approved higher education institution managed by a public interest trust foundation.

The permit runs for 10 years and can be renewed for a further 10, according to Hungary's National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (NDGAP).

The process runs in two stages. Applicants first apply at an overseas consulate and receive a six-month Guest Investor Visa allowing entry into Hungary. Once inside the country, they complete their qualifying transaction and follow set procedural timelines to convert the visa into the residence permit.

What it means for nomads

The permit grants full Hungarian residency and, with it, visa-free movement across the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. That mobility is a significant draw for remote founders and investors who want a stable EU base without committing to a single country year-round.

The trade-off is capital. Even the cheapest route requires a substantial upfront commitment — far more than Hungary's standard White Card, its dedicated remote-work visa aimed at ordinary digital nomads. The Guest Investor Program is squarely built for high earners who can lock up six or seven figures and want a long horizon of residency rights in return.

For those who qualify, the appeal is durability. A 10-year permit renewable for another decade offers far more security than the typical one- or two-year digital nomad visa, and it keeps Schengen travel open throughout. Anyone considering the route should confirm the current procedural deadlines and eligible fund options directly through official Hungarian channels before applying, since the exact steps are handled through the Enter Hungary system after the initial consular stage.

Originally reported by Stamped Nomad.