Hungary Has Received Only 25 Applications for Its Guest Investor Program This Year
Key Points:
- Only 25 non-EU nationals have applied for Hungary’s Guest Investor Program in the first two months of 2025.
- The majority of applicants are Chinese nationals.
- The program grants residency to wealthy individuals in exchange for financial contributions.
By the end of February, just 25 individuals had submitted applications for Hungary’s Guest Investor Program.
The initiative provides non-EU nationals with the opportunity to obtain residency in Hungary through financial investment. However, despite the country’s efforts to attract foreign investors, application numbers have remained low in the first two months of the year.
Among the 25 applicants, nationalities are as follows:
- China – 9 (4 approved, 5 in process)
- Vietnam – 5 (2 approved, 3 in process)
- Burundi – 1 (approved)
- South Africa – 2 (in process)
- Kazakhstan – 1 (approved)
- United Kingdom – 1 (in process)
- Dominica – 1 (in process)
- Israel – 1 (in process)
- Afghanistan – 1 (approved)
- India – 1 (in process)
- Türkiye – 1 (approved)
- Saint Kitts and Nevis – 1 (in process)
Removal of Real Estate Investment Option
In December 2024, Hungarian authorities announced the removal of the real estate investment option from the country’s Golden Visa Program, aligning with similar moves by Portugal.
As a result, wealthy non-EU nationals will no longer be able to obtain residency by investing €500,000 in Hungarian real estate. These amendments were officially published in the Hungarian Gazette on December 20, 2024.
Armand Arton, President and CEO of Arton Capital, explained to IMI Daily that concerns about market stability led to this decision. He highlighted that allowing only investment funds to engage in real estate transactions would offer better regulation and security for investors.
Hungary reintroduced its Golden Visa Program—now called the Guest Investor Residence Permit—offering successful applicants the right to live and work in the country for ten years, along with access to Schengen Zone countries. To qualify, investors must meet specific criteria. Currently, several EU nations continue to offer similar Golden Visa programs.