Hungary vs US EB-5: Golden Visa Programmes Compared
The lowest qualifying amount is €250,000 in Hungary and $800,000 in United States. Here is how the two programmes differ on time in the country, the path to citizenship and processing, side by side.
At a glance
| Hungary | US EB-5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Programme | Guest Investor Residence Programme | EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program |
| Status | Property purchase route abolished by decree in December 2024, before it ever opened | Regional centre authorisation runs to 30 September 2027; grandfathering closes 30 September 2026 |
| Lowest qualifying amount | €250,000 | $800,000 |
| Time you must spend there | No minimum stay | Must maintain US permanent residence |
| Route to citizenship | Generally 8 years of actual residence, plus exams | Naturalisation possible 5 years after the green card |
| Typical processing | 21-day statutory decision deadline on a complete file | I-526E commonly 1-2 years, then the visa queue |
| Main routes |
|
|
Which is cheaper, Hungary or US EB-5?
The lowest qualifying amount is €250,000 in Hungary and $800,000 in United States. The cheapest route is not always the practical one: some low-entry routes are donations or contributions you never get back, while others are investments that can lose value independently of the permit. Add government fees, legal costs and, where relevant, family members before comparing totals.
How much time do you have to spend in each?
Hungary: No minimum stay. United States: Must maintain US permanent residence. A permit that asks for little time in the country is convenient, but a path to citizenship usually depends on genuinely living there.
Which leads to citizenship?
Hungary: Generally 8 years of actual residence, plus exams. United States: Naturalisation possible 5 years after the green card. Naturalisation rules are set separately from the investment programme and can change while you are part of the way through.
The biggest caveat for each
Hungary: One of the three announced routes was cancelled by decree days before it opened, so the remaining two could be changed or withdrawn with equally little warning.
US EB-5: Amounts face their first inflation adjustment on 1 January 2027 and regional centre authorisation expires on 30 September 2027 unless Congress renews it.
More programme comparisons
Information reflects our own independent research as understood in September 2026. These rules change often and differ by nationality. Plain Investor does not sell or advise on any programme. This is general information, not legal, immigration or tax advice; check the official government source and a licensed immigration lawyer before committing money.