Residence permits in Hungary: the routes that work in 2026
If you’re looking for a Hungarian residence permit, let’s start with what’s changed. The “€300,000 in government bonds and you’re on the road to citizenship” scheme is gone — Hungary closed it in 2017. You can’t get a residence permit by buying bonds today.
Since July 2024, the law does include a new Guest Investor Residence Permit — €250,000 or more into a real-estate fund registered with the Hungarian National Bank (MNB), held 5+ years, or a donation of €1,000,000 or more to a university. In practice, though, the route hasn’t gotten off the ground and remains politically uncertain, so we don’t sell it as a ready product. The details are on our investor-visa page.
Now for what works. For most of our CIS clients, the way into Hungary is legal qualified employment through our own Hungarian companies. It’s not a scheme — it’s a real job: contract, salary, tax contributions. And this route has three real strengths:
- it’s legal and transparent at every step;
- every month counts toward permanent residency — the National Residence Card after 3 years;
- your family can be included and move with you.
A residence permit is the first rung of the ladder: PR after 3 years, and after roughly 8 years in the country, the door to citizenship opens. The sooner you step on, the sooner you get there.
One more thing worth knowing: our lawyers know every valid route to Hungarian PR and citizenship — including the rare grounds that few know how to work with. Sometimes your particular situation opens one that meaningfully shortens the timeline. Check with our specialists — it might be your case.
Book a free consultation. We’ll look at your profession and your situation, and tell you whether this route fits.