After twenty years in Hungary via the Guest Investor Program (GIP), permit holders face several clear avenues: renewing their investment-linked residency once more, transitioning to permanent residency untethered to capital commitments, or ultimately applying for citizenship. Renewal requires demonstrating maintained investments or, for donation routes, simply a clean record. Permanent residency becomes available after three years of lawful stay, and Hungarian naturalisation (dual citizenship permitted) follows five additional years plus a basic language and culture exam introduced in 2025. These tiered options provide a predictable, investor-friendly roadmap beyond the 10+10 year horizon.
Holders of the GIP permit may apply once for a second 10-year extension provided they continue to meet their original investment criteria and have no criminal convictions or immigration violations. The €250 000 real-estate fund option, this means demonstrating that fund units remain at or above the original valuation—top-ups are accepted if values dip below threshold.
Additional conditions include holding valid health insurance and proof of accommodation, though there remains no mandatory stay requirement during either initial or renewal phases. Maintaining a clean record is paramount: any serious criminal offence or Schengen ban during the prior 20 years nullifies renewal eligibility.
Renewal applications open three months before permit expiry and must be filed via the Enter Hungary portal or at a regional office of the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing. Applicants submit:
Processing mirrors the initial timeline—approximately 5–6 months—with administrative fees covering biometric enrolment and dossier handling. Once approved, a sticker is placed in the passport granting another 10 years of residency exactly as before.
After three years of continuous legal residence—regardless of physical presence—GIP holders can apply for Hungary’s National Residence Card, a permanent permit not tied to investment. Unlike the Guest Investor permit, permanent residents must not exceed 270 days of absence over those three years, ensuring genuine ties to Hungary. Permanent residency brings:
This route is ideal for investors planning to settle or integrate more deeply without the administrative cycle of renewals.
Once permanent residency is granted, applicants become eligible for naturalisation after five years of residency—and a language and cultural knowledge exam introduced January 1, 2025. The test covers basic Hungarian grammar, everyday vocabulary, and significant historical and cultural milestones. Successful naturalisation confers full EU citizenship rights, including voting in both local and European Parliament elections, and dual nationality is allowed under Hungarian law.
By understanding renewal mechanics, investment maintenance options, and the staged path to permanent residency and citizenship, long-term investors can confidently navigate Hungary’s Guest Investor Program well beyond the initial 10 + 10 years.
