Everything you need to know about purchasing a home in Hungary.
Are you looking to buy property in Hungary or wondering what is required to relocate? Below, we provide a clear insight into the legal buying process and the essential steps involved. While moving to a new country may seem complex, we guide you through the entire procedure to ensure there are no surprises or unforeseen costs. In addition to our dedicated in-house notary, every Hungarian agent we partner with is thoroughly screened for certification and professional reputation.
Once your offer is accepted, the official process begins. You will pay a deposit on the purchase price—typically 20%. This deposit is legally secured in the preliminary purchase contract, providing certainty that the seller will adhere to the agreement. It is important to note that if the seller withdraws, they must pay you double the deposit back. Please note: If you, as the buyer, withdraw from the sale, you will forfeit this deposit.
You will receive a copy of the contract, a professional translation, and an extract from the land registry. We can represent you via power of attorney during the signing. Note that there are generally no “cooling-off” or dissolution periods in Hungarian law once signed.
Upon signing the final purchase contract, the payment must be 100% complete. Once signed, the process is officially concluded. You settle the balance, receive the keys, and become the new owner. Depending on your chosen service package, we inspect the property’s condition immediately prior to signing. Unless otherwise agreed, the property is delivered vacant. This is also the moment to record all utility meter readings.
The notary manages the official transfer of the title into your name. By working with our certified in-house notary, we ensure a reliable, efficient process without inflated costs. You will typically receive the updated land registry entry after approximately 3 months. If you wish to move quickly, the preliminary and final contract steps can often be merged into a single session.
After receiving the keys, water and electricity accounts must be transferred to your name; we assist you fully with this. We also help with applying for your residency address card (lakcímkártya), opening a local bank account, obtaining a tax number, and arranging insurance. Please be aware that for some of these administrative tasks, your physical presence is required. Once complete, you are fully ready to begin your new life in Hungary.
The purchase contract outlines the specific agreements between buyer and seller. This can be highly flexible, covering everything from staggered payments to specific handover dates. We tailor these details to suit your requirements.
While you can sign the contract in person before a notary in Hungary, HouseInHungary offers the option to sign remotely via power of attorney, meaning you do not necessarily need to travel for the signing.
While cash payments are still common in Hungarian real estate, bank transfers are also widely used. You have the option to process payments securely via the notary’s escrow account.
There is a one-time property transfer tax of 4% of the purchase price. You will receive the tax assessment from NAV (the official Hungarian Tax Authority) via Sigma within 2 to 12 months after the purchase. This can be easily paid via your international or Hungarian bank account.
A Tanya is a traditional Hungarian farmhouse, typically located in peaceful, rural surroundings. These are highly attractive to international buyers due to their large plots of land, potential for self-sufficient living, and affordable prices compared to Western Europe.
Buying a Tanya follows the same legal steps as a standard house, but it is critical to verify the property’s designation. A Tanya can be classified as “Residential” or “Agricultural.” If it falls under agricultural status, specific restrictions regarding renovations or official residency registration may apply.
Many Tanyas sit on land registered for agricultural use. Foreign buyers are subject to limitations on how much agricultural land they can own unless specific permits are obtained. We manage this entire verification process for you to ensure full compliance.
Many Tanyas require renovation and are not always connected to modern mains utilities like sewage or gas. Water often comes from private wells, and heating is typically provided by wood or pellet stoves. We inspect these properties beforehand to give you a clear technical overview of the necessary investment.
A Tanya is ideal for those seeking total peace, a connection to nature, or a self-sufficient lifestyle. They also offer excellent potential for investors looking to start a boutique B&B or a small-scale campsite.
The purchase process for a Tanya can take longer than a standard residential home (sometimes up to 6 months). This is due to mandatory government checks regarding land status and the “right of first refusal” by local farmers. We manage this entire timeline for you and keep you updated at every stage.
