Before buying
Do I need an attorney to buy property in Hungary?
For the change of ownership to be registered in the land register, the purchase agreement has to meet certain formal requirements; in practice it is usually countersigned by an attorney. Apart from that, it can be useful to be represented by a law office that acts solely in your interest as the buyer.
Can a foreign citizen buy property at Lake Balaton?
For citizens of EU member states, buying residential property is possible in many cases. Citizens of other countries may need an official permit. Whether restrictions or permit requirements apply also depends on the type of property, especially if agricultural land is involved. We check this before the agreement is signed.
What is a tulajdoni lap?
The tulajdoni lap is the extract from the Hungarian real estate register. Among other things, it shows the owners and registered encumbrances. It is the starting point of every legal review but does not replace checking the other documents.
Do you also act as an estate agent?
No. We are a law office and provide legal advice and representation only. We do not offer properties and do not assess market prices.
Agreement and payment
What is the difference between foglaló and előleg?
Both are payments made before the full purchase price. They are treated differently in law, especially if the agreement is not performed. The consequences of a particular arrangement should be checked before any payment is made.
In which language is the purchase agreement drawn up?
A Hungarian version is required for the land registry procedure. A bilingual agreement is common, so that you can follow every provision in English as well.
Do I have to travel to Hungary to sign?
Not in every case. Depending on the transaction, a power of attorney or electronic identification may be an option. Which method is permissible and practical for your purchase is assessed case by case.
What costs are there in addition to the purchase price?
In addition to the price, there may be a duty on the acquisition, fees for the land registry procedure and attorney fees, among other things. Whether reductions or exemptions apply depends on the individual case. We give specific information after reviewing your plans; for tax questions we recommend a tax adviser.
Other questions
Can I buy the property through a company?
In principle yes, but this has legal and tax consequences that differ from buying in your own name. Whether this route suits you can only be assessed case by case. An overview is available on Contracts, companies and inheritance.
How long does buying a property take?
It depends on the documents, any permits, financing and the authorities. A general figure would not be reliable; after the preliminary review we can better estimate the likely timeline for your case.