How to move to Europe from the US with your family

About Hungary

Hungary is located in the heart of Europe, under a mild climate with hot summers and cold winters. Sometimes it is said to sit on the border of east and west, which is true in the sense that Hungary offers excellent infrastructure and high living standards at low costs compared to western European countries.

Advanced infrastructure covers fine roads and direct railway and airway connections to all major European cities, but also accessible running water, electricity, natural gas, and internet connection in most parts of the country. Good public safety means the volume of violent crimes is generally low, while the access to firearms is restricted. The GDPR ensures the protection of privacy of everyone in the EU using the Internet, while net neutrality ensures that online services share a fair playing ground. Online banking and other administration are both customary and convenient.

The environment is also favorable for entrepreneurs, with a corporate tax at only 9%. Minimum wages are determined by law, and they are updated yearly to keep up with inflation and the changes to economy. Tipping is usually expected, but its standard rate is just 10% and paying even that is not obligatory, since it is not the sole source of income of waiters and delivery people. In shops, prices are indicated with taxes included, so you always know what you are paying.

The fees of basic healthcare services are included in the social security contributions deducted from everyone’s gross salary, which makes healthcare accessible to everyone. Even paying services are usually affordable.

Hungarian residents are at the same time residents of the EU. This means that they can travel visa-free in the Schengen zone, and gain easier access to even countries outside Europe.

On what premises can I come to Hungary?

There are several ways for establishing yourself in Hungary, depending on your plans and on your circumstances. Whether you apply for residency or citizenship, after it is granted, your family members (spouse and underage children) will also be able to apply at least for residency for the purpose of “family unification”.

1. Get a job

You can apply for a job in Hungary online. If you can find a company that wants to employ you and find a preliminary contract, you can apply for a work permit. The procedure takes 70 days, so you should make plans accordingly.

2. Set up a company

If you own a business, starting a company in Hungary is an excellent method for extending that business to Europe AND getting residency for yourself and your family members. You become eligible for Hungarian residency based on the steady income your company generates, and you can retain your residency as long as the company is operational.

Hungarian company set-up takes 4-5 business days, and can even be done through a power of attorney. This means you must travel to Hungary from the USA only once, to open your corporate bank account. Everything else can be arranged for remotely, and you can move to Hungary together with your family once they already have their family unification residence permits too. The 9% corporate tax and the immediate EU VAT number make Hungarian business operation cost-effective as well as convenient.

3. Invest in real estate

As a variation to the previous method, you may set up a company in Hungary and purchase property to let, for either short or long term. Of course, the required investment is bigger, but the ROI will also be more substantial. Real estate investment is one of the most secure investment types in Hungary, as the property market is booming, and there is always demand for housing.

Just like in the case of regular company formation, almost everything can be handled remotely, which of course includes the real estate purchase as well. The market is lively and available properties are sold quickly, but you will always be able to ask for a curated portfolio from our colleagues.

4. Citizenship by ancestry

Many people living in the USA today are descendants of Hungarian emigrants. This means they are eligible for Hungarian citizenship through ancestry. They only need enough spoken Hungarian to discuss the matter with the administrator of the application process over a short meeting (unlike over the regular procedure, where you can become a Hungarian citizen after 8 years of residency if you pass a test on Hungarian culture and history in Hungarian).

To find out if you have all the necessary documents for the Hungarian citizenship application, you can take our eligibility test that guides you through the main steps of the application process, just as if you were speaking to one of our expert colleagues. Filling in the form takes only 5-10 minutes, and you will gain a better understanding of your options.

Need help?

Hungary offers stable and safe infrastructure with Western European living standards at affordable prices, complete with visa-free access to the Schengen zone. You can become a Hungarian resident by finding a job, setting up a company, or investing in real estate, or you can become a citizen easily if at least one of your ancestors was a Hungarian citizen. Whichever process is the most appealing to you, we are here to guide your steps.

Contact us today!