Hungary and Latvia both offer residence inside the EU through investment, and both sit inside the Schengen area, but their qualifying routes and permit lengths differ.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
Hungary runs its Guest Investor Programme through the National Directorate General for Aliens Policing, leading to a long residence permit. Latvia runs its residence by investment route through the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, leading to a renewable temporary permit. The table sets the headline terms side by side, current as of June 2026.
Hungary now accepts a subscription from 250,000 EUR in certificates of an approved real estate investment fund, held for at least five years, or a donation from 1 million EUR to a Hungarian higher education public trust. The earlier direct property purchase option was withdrawn before 2025. Latvia accepts several routes, including roughly 250,000 EUR in property held for at least five years, or a smaller investment into a Latvian company together with a state budget payment. Confirm all current figures with the official authority.
Latvia is often cited as one of the quicker EU routes, with processing measured in a few months, while Hungary publishes a short statutory window for the immigration decision once a file is complete. Published times move, so confirm with the official authority.
Both are EU and Schengen states, so either residence supports travel across the Schengen area. Neither programme gives a passport. Citizenship in either country is a separate naturalisation track with its own residence and language conditions, which you should confirm with the official authority.
Hungary tends to suit people who want a long residence permit and are comfortable with a fund subscription or a sizeable donation. Latvia tends to suit those who want a quicker, lower cost entry and accept a renewable five year permit with periodic checks. Take licensed advice on the tax and reporting duties of each.
| Item | Hungary Guest Investor Programme | Latvia Residence by Investment |
|---|---|---|
| Outcome | Long residence permit | Renewable temporary residence permit |
| Lead investment | From 250,000 EUR in a real estate fund held five years | About 250,000 EUR in property held five years |
| Alternative route | Donation from 1 million EUR to a higher education public trust | Investment in a Latvian company plus a state budget payment |
| EU and Schengen access | EU and Schengen state | EU and Schengen state |
| Official authority | National Directorate General for Aliens Policing | Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs |
| Status as of June 2026 | Open | Open |
Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Hungary Guest Investor Programme: National Directorate General for Aliens Policing. Latvia Residence by Investment: Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.
No. The direct property purchase option was withdrawn before 2025. The current routes are a real estate fund subscription or a donation to a higher education public trust, confirmed with the official authority.
The Latvia route grants a renewable temporary residence permit, commonly cited as five years, subject to maintaining the investment. Confirm the current term with the official authority.
No. Both give residence only. Citizenship is a separate naturalisation process in each country, with its own rules to confirm with the official authority.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
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