You can become an EU resident and gain visa-free access to the EU if you set up a company in Hungary. Alternatively, if you become a Hungarian resident first, you can more easily set up a company and start trading in the EU. The Hungarian guest investor program offers an excellent opportunity for that.
Business and immigration in the EU
If you want to start doing business in the European Union as a third-country national, it might be easiest for you to set up a company in an EU member state and conduct business in the region through that company. Hungary is an ideal destination for this purpose, since company setup takes just 4-5 business days, you can start trading right away thanks to automatically getting an EU VAT number, and the corporate tax is the lowest in the EU at only 9%.
As an added benefit, as a company owner you can also apply for Hungarian residency, which will grant you visa-free access to the Schengen zone. Hungarian residency will also make it easier for you to sign up for a local mobile phone or data plan, open a bank account, or to rent or buy a car or a home.
Immigration and investment
If you are interested in investment as well as company setup, the Hungarian guest investor program might be a good fit for you. In this program, you can make an investment in Hungary and apply for Hungarian residency based on that. The residency will be valid for 10 years with an option for renewal upon expiry, and even your closest family members (spouse and underage children) will become eligible.
Once you are already a resident of Hungary, you will have better options to start your EU business. You will have visa-free access to the Schengen zone, which will give you better opportunities to prepare for launching your business, such as researching the market, doing some networking, or contacting providers and potential partners. Opening a bank account and renting premises will also become easier if you are on site.
Become a guest investor in Hungary
If you want to get 10+10 year residency for yourself and your family members, you are required to make a specific investment. You have 3 options to choose from, with different sums involved. Once you have made the investment, you can apply for the Hungarian residence permit.
The 3 investment options are as follows:
- EUR 250,000 investment in specific real estate bonds. Learn more here.
- EUR 500,000 investment in residential real estate (you can move in or rent it out). Learn more here.
- EUR 1 million donation to a designated higher education or cultural institution. List to be announced.
Once you have decided which investment option to realize, you can apply for guest investor residency in 3 steps:
- Apply for a guest investor visa
- Travel to Hungary to realize the planned investment
- Apply for the guest investor residence permit for yourself and your family members
After you receive your guest investor visa, you have 3 months to realize the planned investment. The visa will remain valid for 6 months after receipt, and it will let you come and go as you please until you receive your Hungarian residence permit.
Got you interested? Ask the experts
Helpers is Hungary’s leading provider of business, immigration, and investment services. With 20 years of experience, we are confident we can help you find the best solutions when you are planning to expand your business and other activities in Hungary. Whether you are interested in starting an EU business or relocating to Hungary, we would be more than happy to assist you.
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