The Hungarian government published a draft bill on November 4, 2026, proposing to abolish the Guest Investor Visa and Residence Permit Programme, with the changes potentially taking effect on January 1, 2027. If adopted, the legislation would close the programme to new applicants while introducing transitional arrangements for existing applicants and permit holders.

Proposed Programme Closure

The draft legislation aims to remove the Guest Investor Programme from Hungary’s immigration framework. Under the proposal, new applications would no longer be accepted from January 1, 2027. However, the programme remains operational under the current rules until the proposed changes enter into force.

Transitional Arrangements

Applications submitted by December 31, 2026, with the relevant administrative fee paid by that date, would continue to be processed under existing legislation. This includes visa applications, initial residence permit applications, and extensions.

Investors holding valid Guest Investor Visas issued before January 1, 2027, would also retain the right to apply for residence permits under the current rules. However, visa-exempt nationals already in Hungary would no longer be eligible to submit new residence permit applications after that date.

Impact on Existing Permit Holders

Existing residence permits would remain valid until their expiry dates, but no further extensions would be permitted under the proposal. Eligible family members would retain their residence rights, with permits valid for up to ten years and no possibility of extension. Investors and their family members would continue to enjoy employment rights during the validity of their permits, provided the qualifying investment remains in place.

Current Investment Routes

Hungary’s Guest Investor Programme, introduced in 2024, currently offers two investment options:

• €250,000 in qualifying real estate fund units, subject to a minimum five-year holding period.
• €1 million donation to a qualifying Hungarian higher education institution maintained by a public trust.

The programme grants residence permits for up to ten years, extendable for another ten years under current legislation. Eligible family members can also obtain permits, while investors benefit from employment rights and Schengen travel privileges without a general minimum-stay requirement.

Summary

The proposed legislation could bring Hungary’s Guest Investor Programme to an end for new applicants from January 1, 2027. Applications submitted by December 31, 2026, with the required fee paid, would remain eligible for processing under the existing rules. Existing permit holders would retain their rights until their permits expire, but would no longer be able to extend them.

The remaining application period may therefore be an important opportunity for prospective investors, although the proposed closure is not yet final and remains subject to legislative approval.