While Portugal and Greece both offer notable pathways to European residency and citizenship, Hungary’s relaunched Guest Investor Program (GIP) stands out thanks to its exceptionally low investment threshold (€250 000), unmatched 10-year permit (renewable once), zero stay requirement, and straightforward investment vehicles—all backed by clear government regulation and minimal bureaucratic delay.
Investor-residence schemes grant non-EU nationals visa-free Schengen travel, the right to live and work locally, and often a pathway to citizenship. In an era of tightening work permit regimes and geopolitical uncertainty, these programs offer high-net-worth individuals—and their families—a reliable “Plan B” for personal security and global mobility.
Hungary reintroduced its GIP on July 1, 2024, under Act XC of 2023, replacing the old bond-scheme with clear investment routes a minimum €250 000 purchase of real-estate fund units (held five years). Investors receive a 10-year residence card, renewable once for another 10 years, and face no mandatory physical-stay requirement—a rare feature among EU programs. This long-term, passive structure suits fully mobile families and businesspeople who cannot commit to regular stays.
From day one, GIP participants enjoy unrestricted Hungarian work and residence rights, visa-free access across all 38 Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and the ability to include spouses, minor children, and dependent parents. After eight years of continuous residency, applicants become eligible for Hungarian citizenship—dual nationality is permitted—subject only to a basic language and culture exam introduced January 2025.
Moreover, the Hungarian government has licensed its first real-estate fund specifically for GIP investors, ensuring transparency and regulatory oversight by the National Bank of Hungary. Compared to past bond-based controversies, today’s GIP is a streamlined, fully documented program designed to attract genuine long-term capital without fueling housing-market inflation—a concern that led Hungary to suspend its direct property option ahead of its planned January 2025 launch.
Portugal’s ARI program retains its appeal for investors eyeing a five-year path to citizenship, minimal stay requirement (average seven days per year), and a broad menu of qualifying routes—venture-capital funds (from €500 000), cultural donations (€250 000), or job-creation schemes.. However, the removal of real-estate as an eligible category in late 2023 and severe processing delays at the Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF) have frustrated many applicants, with lawsuits and backlogs stretching actual wait times to multiple years While Portugal remains strong for those prioritizing a quick EU passport, its administrative bottlenecks and higher minimum tickets make it less agile than Hungary’s straightforward model.
Greece continues to offer one of the fastest real-estate-based residency permits in Europe, with processing typically in 3–5 months and a €250 000 threshold in most regions (rising to €400 000–€800 000 in prime areas). Its five-year permit is renewable indefinitely without stay requirements, and family reunification covers spouses, children under 21, and parents. Yet Greece’s path to citizenship demands seven years of tax residency and language proficiency, and its market volatility in tourism hotspots can inflate property costs—factors that may deter investors seeking a predictable, long-term residency track.
Hungary’s Guest Investor Program uniquely balances low entry cost, longest-term permit (20 years maximum), zero-stay flexibility, and government-backed fund investments—all under a clear legal framework. Unlike Portugal, applicants avoid multi-year card delays; unlike Greece, they bypass steep property price swings in tourist centers. The GIP’s simplicity and transparency make it the most reliable “Golden Visa” for investors who value stability, minimal bureaucratic friction, and genuine family inclusion—without compromising on compliance or market integrity.
