The Hungarian Golden Visa is based on an act of law and a corresponding implementing decree.
The Law (in Hungarian) : The Law in English (AI-generated, unofficial)
The Decree (in Hungarian) : The Decree in English (AI-generated, unofficial)
There is no minimum stay required in Hungary for holders of a investor's residence permit (Golden Visa).
This means that you do not have to use your residence permit and there is no risk that it will expire as a result. Accordingly, you can regard it as security for a rainy day in your home country.
However, you also have the right to move to Hungary with the family members involved in the process and spend an unlimited amount of time here.
Holders of an investor visa or an investor residence permit (Golden Visa) may stay in the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. With the exception of Ireland and Cyprus, all EU countries are part of the Schengen Area. Romania and Bulgaria are members with certain limitations. Switzerland and Norway are not EU member states, but they do belong to the Schengen Area.
For example, if you travel to Paris on January 1, you must leave France by April 1 at the latest. You may then return to France no earlier than July 1.
You are free to enter and exit the Schengen Area as often as you wish. However, you are only permitted to establish residence in Hungary.
You can travel to any Schengen-country within 180 days for a maximum of 90 days. However, you may only take up residence in Hungary.
After a 90-day stay in a Schengen country, you must leave it for 90 days. After that, you can travel there again for 90 days, etc.
You can travel to Hungary without any limitations.
Throughout the entire visa process, we will provide you with a formal registered address in Hungary at no cost. This address serves as official proof of residence, although you cannot actually live there.
If you wish to visit or move to Hungary during or after the process, you will naturally need to arrange accommodation at your own expense — whether by booking a hotel room, renting, or purchasing an apartment or house. As a holder of a Golden Visa, you are entitled to buy or rent property in Hungary.
If you do not plan to come to Hungary for the time being, the formal registered address we provide will remain valid until you choose to change it.
We charge a one-off fee for our services, depending on the number of applicants.
This includes our end-to-end assistance throughout the entire official process from the investor visa to the residence permit for the investor and their family members. We are also at your side during the investment process.
The above costs include official fees and other direct costs (for translation, certification, apostille, courier, etc.), provided they are incurred in Hungary.
Costs incurred abroad (translations, notarizations, apostilles, official fees etc.) are at your expense, as are travel and accommodation costs and the costs associated with purchasing and holding of fund units.
Details are regulated in the contract.
The initial consultation (Client's onboarding), during which we determine together with the potential investor whether you are eligible for the Hungarian Golden Visa Program, is free of charge.
Please contact us to get a personal quotation: myquotation@bentleygoldenvisa.com
We certainly do not claim to provide a complete overview of all European Golden Visa programs. However, we frequently hear feedback about other countries' offerings and can highlight several advantages of the Hungarian Golden Visa, without claiming to be exhaustive.
Approval before investment: To our knowledge, Hungary is the only country where the immigration authority makes a preliminary decision on your Golden Visa application before you invest a single cent. This is a major advantage. In most other countries, you must first invest a significant amount of money, then wait up to two years to learn whether your visa will be approved. During that period, you face legal uncertainty. If immigration laws change during the waiting time, it is unclear whether the old or new rules will apply to you. If your application is ultimately denied, you may be left with a property but without the right to reside. That cannot happen in Hungary.
10-year validity from day one: In many other countries, the Golden Visa is initially valid for only one to five years. After that, you face administrative renewal procedures that are often expensive, time-consuming, and legally uncertain. Laws tend to change, and by the time your renewal is due, the conditions may have shifted. In Hungary, you receive a 10-year residence permit immediately.
Investment can be sold after five years: Even after selling your fund shares following the five-year holding period, your Hungarian Golden Visa remains valid for the full ten years. In many countries, the visa automatically expires when the qualifying investment (usually a property) is sold. This is not the case in Hungary.
Investment is easily liquidated: The real estate fund will repurchase your shares after five years or later at net asset value. Unlike owning a property, you do not have to find a buyer yourself. Selling real estate can be burdensome, especially if you need to be physically present or are uncertain about the fair market value of the offer.
No management or responsibilities tied to ownership: We are not saying that direct property ownership is a bad option. Many investors like the idea of owning something tangible. But real estate also brings responsibility. You must maintain the property, arrange for repairs, pay taxes and insurance, manage utilities, and possibly deal with tenants. If you don’t plan to use the property often, it may be more practical to rent when needed. Fund shares, on the other hand, require no active involvement.
Fast-track process: In Hungary, you can obtain your Golden Visa within 60 to 90 days. In other countries, the process often takes 18 to 24 months. That is a long time to remain in legal uncertainty.
Quality and transparency of the underlying assets: In some countries, you may buy real estate for €250,000. But do you really know whether it is worth that amount? Without in-depth local knowledge, you could end up overpaying for a poorly located property. You will only find out years later when you try to sell. In Hungary, fund managers invest with performance in mind, since their compensation depends on it. Their interests are aligned with yours – unlike in traditional property purchases.
No minimum stay requirement: Many Golden Visa programs require you to spend a certain number of days per year in the issuing country to maintain your residency status. That might seem acceptable at first – but vacationing in the same place ten years in a row is not for everyone. Hungary imposes no such condition. You may visit as often or as seldom as you wish.
Long-term rights for your children: If your child is under 18 at the time the residency permit is issued, their right to stay in Hungary is valid for the full 10 years. Other countries often apply more complex rules. For example, once your child turns 21 or 24, or becomes financially independent, their residency may expire. Hungary does not impose such limitations.
There is a lot to consider when choosing a Golden Visa. We would be happy to advise you personally.