investment opportunity: Golden Visa Program in Hungary 2025
Hungary has reintroduced its golden visa program, making it one of the most affordable options in Europe for non-EU citizens seeking a path to European residency and Schengen area travel.
The Hungarian golden visa program offers several advantages. With a low investment limit, a low cost of living, and competitive taxes, it presents an attractive proposition for those looking to establish a new home in Europe.
The headline rate of Value Added Tax (VAT) in Hungary is 27%, but discounted rates of 18% and 5% are available on specific goods and services. The corporate tax is 9% for most businesses, while the personal income tax rate is 15% on most types of income. Capital gains are taxed at 15% for individuals and 9% for corporations.
The Hungarian golden visa requires a minimum investment of €250,000 in a Hungarian real estate fund or a €1 million donation to a local higher education institution. The application for a Hungarian golden visa includes fees such as €65,000 for a family of four, additional fees for dependents, a subscription fee, and annual maintenance fees.
To qualify for a Hungarian golden visa, you must first apply for a Guest Investor Visa, which grants multiple entries to Hungary and other Schengen countries for 90 days. To obtain permanent residency in Hungary, you need to spend at least 183 days per year for three years. After eight years as a permanent resident, you can apply for Hungarian citizenship by naturalisation.
Starting a business in Hungary is another route to temporary residency, as long as the business generates enough income to support the applicant financially. Hungary's golden visa offers a path to permanent residency after three years and citizenship by naturalisation after eight years.
However, the Hungarian golden visa program is not without its cons. There is a lack of investment options, the requirement to remain invested for five years, annual maintenance fees, and a long and arduous path to citizenship.
Despite these challenges, the benefits of the Hungarian golden visa program, such as visa-free Schengen area access, low taxes, and a low investment limit, make it a compelling option for those seeking a European residence. The application process can be initiated via the Enter Hungary online hub.
On the other hand, Turkey offers a traditional citizenship-by-investment scheme with a minimum investment of US$400,000 in Turkish real estate, which can be held for three years to qualify for Turkish citizenship. Europe's golden visas, offering quick access to European residency and Schengen area travel, are becoming less common and more expensive.
The search results do not provide specific information about the person responsible for reintroducing the Golden Visa program in Hungary starting July 2024 for non-EU citizens. The Hungarian passport is reasonably strong but gaining citizenship can be time-consuming and involve administrative hoops.
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