Greece vs Hungary Golden Visa Program - What’s Your Best Choice For Real Estate Investment and EU Residency

In the era of global uncertainty, many foreign investors prefer to gain EU residency to provide themselves and their families with a better lifestyle in a safe and secure environment. We all know European countries are one of the top leading business markets in today’s world, providing immense business opportunities to investors, especially entrepreneurs and businessmen from different parts of the world. Whether it's about setting up a business or expanding your already established business, the golden visa programs of EU countries have got you all sorted. Moreover, the visa-free access advantage of EU golden visas provides travel freedom to many global investors, making it easier for businessmen to travel worldwide for international business meetings, conferences, or exhibitions. 

Europe Leading the Residency by Investment Market

The various significant benefits have led a large number of investors to be attracted to EU residency by investment programs of countries such as Hungary, Greece, Portugal, and Latvia since their launch. According to Eurostat, in 2023, 3.7 million first EU residence permits were issued to non-EU citizens, which is 4.7% more than those issued in 2022 and the highest number till now. This shows investors’ strong interest in EU residency by investment programs. To secure a safe second home in a stable EU country, investors should keep in view the investment cost, lifestyle benefits, ROI, and travel mobility that different residency by investment programs offer. Let’s discuss and compare Hungary and Greece’s golden visas to better understand their advantages. 

Greece Golden Visa: Best for Lifestyle and Luxury Coastal Real Estate 

Greece, a Southeastern European country, never disappoints its visitors, and the reasons are its natural beauty, Mediterranean climate, rich culture, and extensive history. The country covers 131,957 km² with lengthy coastlines, thousands of beautiful islands such as Santorini, Corfu, and Mykonos, and around 80% of its terrain being mountainous. 

Growing Tourism in Greece

The country has been a major tourist destination since 1970. According to the Greece Tourism Data Released by Bank of Greece, the revenue recorded from tourism in Greece reached 7.66 billion euros in H1 2025, showing a 11% surge annually. The strong tourism sector of Greece can be observed from the fact that over 7 million tourists travelled to Greece even during the pandemic in 2020. 

Greece Residency By Investment Program 

In 2013, the government of Greece introduced its Greece golden visa to the world. The purpose of the program is to attract foreign direct investments (FDI) by providing global investors with a 5 year renewable residency permit. The permit allows non-EU citizens to live, work, and stay in Greece by investing a minimum €250,000 in a Greece real estate. The investment however, varies depending on the area the investors want to buy property in, ranging from mid-scale areas to high-scale. 

Greece Golden Visa Properties and Investment Thresholds

1. €250K Real Estate Investment

This is the most affordable option among all. The investors need to invest €250,000 in real estate associated with converting commercial properties to residential units. The main purpose behind this investment is to stabilize the residential property market of Greece. 

2. €400K Real Estate Investment

For properties in lower population density or mid scale areas, the Greece Golden visa cost required is €400,000.  

3. €800K Real Estate Investment

The affluent individuals prefer to buy luxurious properties in the high-demand areas such as Attica, the regional units of Thessaloniki, Santorini, Mykonos, and Greece Islands with a population of 3100 or more people. In these areas, the investment required is €800,000 

Significant Benefits of Greece Golden Visa 

The Greece golden visa holders, apart from investment in luxury real estate also benefit from the following:

• Schengen zone visa-free access including all 29 states, and they can live there for 90 days in a 180 day period, helping them attend business meetings there.

• Can bring their family members to Greece by including spouse, unmarried children under 21, and parents of the main applicant and spouse in the application. 

• High-quality lifestyle in Greece alongside stunning coastlines and pristine islands. 

• Pathway to permanent residency after 5 years and possible citizenship after 7 years. 

Hungary Golden Visa Program: Best for Long-Term EU Residency and Smart Investment Value

Hungary, being the central European country in the middle of Western and Eastern European markets, provides various trade and business opportunities to global investors. All significant benefits of Hungary, including its diverse economy, vibrant culture, and rich history, make it one of the most desired EU residencies for people. Budapest, the capital of Hungary, often called ‘The Paris of the East’ is mainly popular among many tourists who visit Hungary to experience this city’s lifestyle and historic architecture, including iconic landmarks such as Buda Castle and Matthias Church.  Moreover, there is strong real estate growth potential in Budapest, as according to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) the housing prices in Budapest rose to 8.1% year on year in 2024.  

Tourism in Hungary Soars in 2025

Statistics show that tourism in Hungary will grow significantly in 2025. As per the recent statement by the Ministry of Economy, around 8.2 million guests stayed in Hungary in the first six months of 2025, which is almost 8 percent more than in the same period in 2024. Furthermore, according to Hungary Today, the number of domestic guests in June 2025 were one million while the foreign guests were 889,000, which shows the number of guests have increased by 6.8%. The continuous surge shows many people are visiting Hungary due to its better lifestyle, opportunities, and beautiful landscapes. 

Hungarian Golden Visa Program

Hungary relaunched its investor Hungarian golden visa program on 1 July 2024, to provide non-EU and non-EEA citizens with a 10-year residency permit. This will allow them to live and work in Hungary for the long term and will not just be bound by the borders, as it allows visa-free access to the Schengen zone providing the Hungary golden visa program investors with the freedom to travel in all of its 29 member states. The program requires a minimum €250K which adds a smart investment value to their investment portfolio.  

Investment Options for the Hungary Golden Visa Program

The Hungarian golden visa program provides a very low entry route among many other EU residency by investment programs. It provides two investment options to its investors, including:

1. Investment in Real Estate Funds

For investors seeking the most affordable yet better investment option for Hungary golden visa program, this one is for you. You have to invest a minimum €250,000 in a government-approved real estate fund. The condition is that 40% of the funds share must be for the residential sector in Hungary real estate. 

2. Donation to an Institution

The second option to qualify for the Hungarian golden visa program is to donate a minimum amount of €1 million as a charitable contribution. The donation must be to a higher-education institution that offers better learning opportunities and supports scientific research activities. This is a public trust donation. 

Key Benefits of Golden Visa Hungary

Investors not just live in Hungary for a long time by smartly investing in the Hungarian golden visa program, but also benefit from the following:

• Hungary golden visa program allows family inclusion, which means investors can bring their family members too, including spouses and minor children.

• The processing speed of the Hungary golden visa program is very fast, as it requires just 3 to 6 months. 

• Leads investors to a possible citizenship after 8 years of tax residency in Hungary

• The Hungarian golden visa program requires no mandatory stay requirement. 

Conclusion

Both programs' details lead us to a conclusion that although both the Hungarian golden visa and Greece golden visa benefit investors in their own way, there are certain points that need to be considered. If you are an investor who is focused more on lifestyle and coastal real estate than Greece is the best destination for your second home but if you seek an affordable investment option that also not compromises on the quality and allows you to live for a long term than Hungary golden visa program is a better option for you providing you with long term stability in Europe and significant real estate growth potential.