UGLOBAL . COM 63
PERMANENT RESIDENCE & CITIZENSHIP
Applicants who have been staying in Hungary for three consecutive years while holding a valid residence permit can apply for the National Residence Card called Permanent Residency . For residence to be counted as continuous , holders of a residence permit cannot leave Hungary for more than four months in a row or more than 270 days in total each year .
For citizenship , it is possible to apply after eight years of stay , having a clean criminal record , and passing the Basic
Constitutional Test in Hungarian . Showing that the applicants are adapted to society and embrace the values of the culture , the Golden Visa can open the way for citizenship as well .
Overall , the Hungarian investor program has potential . With many advantages and benefits , even from the start , interest in this scheme made it different from its competitors . As the Hungarian Guest Investor Visa starts accepting the first applicants , many will follow .
BY CSABA MAGYAR
Csaba Magyar is a Hungarian lawyer and managing partner at Crystal Worldwide Law Firm , specializing in immigration by investment , tax advisory , and business consulting for High Net Worth Individuals . Previously , he was the head of the International Tax Control Unit at the Hungarian Tax Directorate and is a lecturer at Szent István Egyetem . He holds a Master of Laws from Eötvös Loránd University and multiple certifications , including Accredited Tax Consultant and Chartered International Tax Expert , with postgraduate specialization in investment funds , corporate finance , and stock exchange .