Reviewed by Jane Katkova, Founder & Licensed CICC ConsultantKey points
- The minimum investment is €250,000 in registered real-estate fund units, held five years.
- The alternative is a €1,000,000 non-refundable donation supporting higher education.
- The €500,000 direct property route was abolished in January 2025.
- Fund returns are not guaranteed, and redemption depends on the fund's liquidity.
Qualifying routes under the Guest Investor Programme
Hungary's Guest Investor Programme, created by Act XC of 2023 and open since July 2024, has two routes:
- €250,000 in units of a Hungarian real-estate fund registered for the programme, held for five years.
- €1,000,000 donated to a public-interest trust supporting higher education; the donation is non-refundable.
The €500,000 direct real-estate purchase ended in January 2025. A permit holder can still buy a home in Hungary, but the purchase does not qualify. If owning a home you can live in is the aim, Greece and Cyprus are the EU programmes that still allow it; see our guide to the Greek golden visa.
Risk on the fund route
The fund units are an investment, not a deposit. The funds are regulated and invest mainly in Hungarian property, but unit value can fall, redemption at year five depends on the fund's liquidity, and fees differ between funds. We ask for the mandate, audited accounts and fee sheet of each fund before a client subscribes.
What the investment secures
The permit runs for ten years and is renewable once for a further ten, with Schengen travel of 90 days in 180 and no minimum stay. Your spouse, minor children and dependent parents apply on the same investment. Processing takes two to four months on average: the guest-investor visa is decided first, you enter Hungary and make the investment, and the permit follows within a few weeks of proving it.
The programme is set out on our Hungary Guest Investor Programme page. To review specific funds before subscribing, book a consultation with our team.
People also ask
Does the Hungary Guest Investor Programme lead to citizenship?
Eventually, and only if you actually live there. Hungarian naturalisation 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. Treat the ten-year permit as residence with an option on citizenship, not as a passport programme.
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.