Citizenship and residence
For citizens of the European Union and the European Economic Area, different rules often apply when acquiring property than for citizens of other countries. Buyers from non-EU countries may need an official permit. Since the United Kingdom left the EU, this question should also be checked case by case for British buyers. What matters are the circumstances of your case, which we clarify before any agreement is signed.
The type of property
Whether the property is an apartment, a detached house, a holiday home or an undeveloped plot affects the applicable rules. It can also matter whether the property lies within or outside the built-up area of the municipality (belterület or külterület) and how it is recorded in the land register.
Agricultural land
Hungary has special and strict rules on acquiring agricultural and forestry land. If the property includes land of this kind – such as a vineyard or a large garden plot – this needs to be clarified before any further step, because it can fundamentally affect whether the purchase is possible at all.
Allowing for permits in the timeline
If a permit is required, the agreement should take this into account, for example by making payment and handover subject to conditions. How long a permit procedure takes depends on the case and on the competent authority.
Language, documents and representation
A Hungarian version of the agreement is required for the land registry procedure; bilingual agreements are common. Documents issued abroad, such as powers of attorney, may require certification or an apostille and a translation. We discuss with you which documents you need and in what form.
If you plan to move to Hungary
If you are not only buying a property but also moving your residence to Hungary, further questions arise, for example about registration, health insurance and tax numbers. You will find more on this on our page Relocating to Hungary.
Next: Contracts, companies and inheritance when buying property