Reviewed by Jane Katkova, Founder & Licensed CICC ConsultantKey points
- Naturalisation requires eight years of residence in Hungary.
- Applicants sit a constitutional-basics exam taken in the Hungarian language.
- Hungary permits dual citizenship, as do the US and Canada.
- The ten-year permit itself has no minimum-stay requirement to renew.
Naturalisation requirements in Hungary
The Guest Investor Programme grants a ten-year residence permit, not citizenship. Citizenship is possible only through naturalisation, which requires:
- eight years of residence in Hungary; and
- a constitutional-basics exam taken in Hungarian.
Hungary permits dual citizenship, as do the US and Canada, so no renunciation is involved. We advise clients to treat the permit as residence with an option on citizenship and not as a passport programme.
Residence for the permit and residence for citizenship
The permit has no minimum-stay requirement, either for the first ten years or for the renewal; what matters is that the investment is held for five years. Citizenship is different, because it depends on actually living in the country. Living there also has a tax consequence: you become Hungarian tax resident if you spend 183 or more days a year in Hungary or move your centre of life there.
Family members and timing
Your spouse, minor children and dependent parents receive permits of the same length on the same investment. Adult children are not covered as dependants. Each family member needs a clean police certificate and health insurance. The permit is decided in two to four months on average.
The qualifying investment is €250,000 in registered real-estate fund units, described on our Hungary residence by investment page. Applicants who place more weight on naturalisation can compare other countries in our residence by investment programme guide. To assess whether the Hungarian route matches your plans to relocate, book a consultation with us.
People also ask
What is the minimum investment for the Hungary golden visa in 2026?
The minimum is €250,000 in units of a Hungarian real-estate fund registered for the Guest Investor Programme, held for five years. The alternative is a €1,000,000 non-refundable donation to a public-interest trust supporting higher education. The €500,000 direct property purchase was abolished in January 2025 and is no longer available.
How long does it take to get Portuguese citizenship through residence?
Ten years of legal residence, counted from your first residence card, under the Nationality Law in force since 19 May 2026. EU and CPLP nationals qualify after seven years. You also need A2 Portuguese and a clean record. Applications lodged before 19 May 2026 follow the old five-year rule.
Can you still get a Portugal golden visa by buying property?
No. Real estate and real-estate funds were removed from the Portugal golden visa on 7 October 2023. The routes in 2026 are a €500,000 CMVM-registered fund, €500,000 in research, a €250,000 cultural donation (€200,000 in low-density areas) and company or job-creation routes. You may buy a home, but it will not count.
How much does the Greece golden visa cost in 2026?
From €250,000 for an approved commercial-to-residential conversion or listed-building restoration, €400,000 for a standard home in most of Greece, and €800,000 in Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini and islands with more than 3,100 residents. Add about 3.09% transfer tax, 3–4% notary and legal fees, and about €2,000 state fee per adult.
Can you rent out a Greece golden visa property on Airbnb?
No. Long-term lets are allowed, but short-term rental on Airbnb-style platforms is banned for Greece golden visa property. The fine is €50,000 and the residence permit can be revoked. Plan your yield on annual tenancies, not tourist lets, and expect a Greek property tax bill (ENFIA) plus tax on any Greek rental income.