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Hungarian Fund Immigration

The Hungary Guest Investor Program (GIP), also known as "Hungary Immigration 2.0," aims to provide applicants and their families with a 10-year long-term residence permit, which can be renewed for another 10 years upon expiration, through investment in a government-approved Hungarian real estate fund. The program began accepting applications on July 1, 2024, and has received a security license from the Hungarian government.

Application Process

1
Initial Assessment & Signing

First, an initial consultation and assessment will be conducted, including a review of the applicant's profile, information, and preliminary financial proof. The applicant will then sign a service agreement and pay the project management fee.

2
Document Preparation & Notarization

A detailed list of required documents for the GIP visa, opening a securities account, and the long-term residence permit will be provided. The applicant must prepare the relevant documents and arrange for translation and notarization.

3
GI Visa Application

An appointment will be coordinated for submission, where the main applicant will submit their GI visa application at an embassy or consulate. Upon successful approval, the main applicant must travel to Hungary within 6 months.

4
Arriving in Hungary & Investment

After arriving in Hungary, the main applicant must complete the investment within 3 months. This includes signing a POA and other authorization documents at the project company's Hungarian office, opening a securities account, and transferring €254,300 to the account to complete the fund subscription.

5
Long-Term Residence Permit Application

The main applicant will meet with a lawyer in Hungary and go to the immigration office for their scheduled appointment to submit the application and provide fingerprints. Other family members will submit their long-term residence applications and provide fingerprints at a local embassy or consulate in their home country. The lawyer will upload the investment proof to the immigration authority's website.

6
Approval & Card Collection

Once the lawyer receives the long-term residence approval letter and card, the project company in Hungary will coordinate shipping it to the Shenzhen project office, which will then mail it to the main applicant through the immigration company.

Main Cost Breakdown

In addition to the €250,000 real estate fund investment, the following main fees are required for the program:

  • Project Management Fee: Approximately €50,000 per family (an additional €5,000 per person for each dependent over three people).

  • Legal Fees: €10,000 per family.

  • Fund Subscription Fee: €2,000 (0.8% of the subscription amount).

  • Account Management Fee: Approximately €437.5 per year (a total of €2,187.5 for the first 5 years).

  • GI Visa Application Fee: Approximately €110 per person.

  • Long-Term Residence Permit Application Fee: Approximately €64 for the main applicant, and approximately €110 per family member.

  • Health Insurance (travel-related): Approximately €250 (varies by insurance period).

  • Third-party Fees: Include document mailing fees (approximately €160), notarization fees, translation fees, OFFI translation certification fees (approximately 1,500-1,800 RMB per document), and Hague Apostille fees, totaling approximately €1,130. The total estimated cost (excluding renewal fees) is approximately €316,234.

The fees listed above are estimates, and the actual amounts may vary due to exchange rate fluctuations or official policy changes.

Application Requirements & FAQs

  • Main Applicant: Must be at least 18 years old, in good health, and have a clean criminal record.

  • Accompanying Family: Can include a spouse (marriage certificate required, same-sex marriage is not accepted) and children (unmarried children under 18, who must be under 18 at both the time of submission and issuance of the status). U.S. citizens or permanent residents are not eligible to be the main applicant.

  • Investment Requirement: Invest at least €250,000 in a Hungarian real estate fund, and hold the investment for a minimum of 5 years.

  • Source of Funds: Proof of assets is required for the GI Visa application stage. This can be in the spouse's name (with a letter of support from the spouse) and can be a combination of multiple accounts. Currently, there is no strict requirement to trace the source of funds (e.g., providing tax returns and audit reports).

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Q1. What are the characteristics of the €250,000 real estate fund investment? Can it be redeemed?

The €250,000 real estate fund is approved by the Hungarian government and is strictly regulated by the Hungarian Central Bank. According to the regulations, at least 40% of the net asset value of the real estate fund must consist of residential real estate investments within Hungary. The fund is managed by experienced fund managers, ensuring a high level of security. Applicants are required to hold the fund for a minimum of 5 years. After the 5-year holding period, applicants are free to redeem their fund shares, and their residency status can still be maintained for 10 years after redemption.

Q2. After obtaining Hungarian long-term residency, what benefits are available for living, working, and education?

After obtaining long-term residency, cardholders can freely work, do business, and study in Hungary, enjoying the same treatment as Hungarian citizens. For healthcare, long-term residents can choose to purchase local health insurance to receive free medical care at public hospitals (children require a separate health insurance policy). In terms of education, Hungary provides 19 years of free public education (3 years of kindergarten + 8 years of primary school + 4 years of secondary school + 4 years of university). Eligible students with long-term residency can attend public schools for free (typically taught in Hungarian). Additionally, Hungary has several international schools that teach in English or multiple languages, with fees lower than in Western European countries, providing a convenient option for an international education for children.

Q3. What are the residency requirements and renewal conditions for the Hungarian long-term residency? How can it be converted to permanent residency?

The Hungarian long-term residency program has no strict "residency obligation". The main applicant only needs to make one trip to Hungary after receiving the guest investor visa to complete the fund subscription. After that, there is no mandatory residency requirement. The initial long-term residence permit is valid for 10 years. Upon expiration, as long as the applicant maintains the €250,000 real estate fund investment and has a clean criminal record, they can unconditionally renew the permit for another 10 years. If you wish to apply for permanent residency, you must meet the following conditions: have continuously resided in Hungary for 3 years after obtaining long-term residency, with no more than 90 days of absence per year; have a regular income, pay taxes on time, and make declarations (it is recommended to pay no less than approximately 233,700 HUF in social security and taxes per month for at least 18 months); purchase health insurance; and pass a Hungarian language and culture test (this will be implemented in 2025). The cultural test is generally not difficult, and most candidates pass.

Q4. What are the unique advantages of the Hungarian Guest Investor Program compared to other European countries?

The Hungarian Guest Investor Program is highly competitive among European immigration programs. Its processing speed is fast, with residence permits potentially being approved in as little as 3 months from the time of signing the contract. The investment amount is relatively low at just €250,000, and it is redeemable after 5 years, making it highly cost-effective. The residency status offers a high degree of freedom with no residency obligation. Cardholders can freely work, study, and do business locally, as well as travel to 29 Schengen countries. Furthermore, Hungary has favorable tax policies (corporate income tax at 9% and personal income tax at 15%), no global tax on income, and a friendly relationship with China, providing an excellent living and business environment for Chinese individuals.

Program Advantages

1
Backed by Law, Safe and Reliable

The immigration law is clear and specific, and the government supervises the entire investment process to ensure the security of investors' funds.

2
Relatively Low Investment Threshold

The program only requires purchasing a government-approved Hungarian real estate fund of €250,000 or more, and holding it for a minimum of 5 years.

3
Lenient Application Requirements

There are no rigid requirements for the applicant's age, language proficiency, business background, or education. Only proof of assets is required, with no strict requirement to provide a detailed source of funds.

4
Fast Processing Speed

The long-term residence permit can be obtained in as little as 3 months. The initial permit is valid for 10 years and can be renewed for another 10 years upon expiration. There are no residency requirements, which gives applicants a high degree of freedom of residence.

5
Benefits for the Whole Family

A single application can cover the whole family (spouse and children under 18). They can enjoy Hungary's free public education and healthcare benefits (children require a separate health insurance policy).

6
Travel Freely in 30 Schengen Countries

As an EU and Schengen member state, Hungary's long-term residence card allows for visa-free travel to 30 Schengen countries. Additionally, Hungary has a good business environment, with corporate and personal income taxes among the lowest in the EU, and no global tax on income.

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