The Process of Buying Property in Hungary

Without a real estate lawyer in Hungary, buying property is a minefield!

If you have ever considered the idea of buying property in Hungary, you will be pleased to learn that the process of buying a house in Hungary is much simpler than you might have anticipated. Aside from a few restrictions as far as location is concerned, foreigners have pretty much the same rights as Hungarian citizens. Although as an expat you are currently only able to purchase an urban or residential home (with the rural properties largely reserved for Hungarian citizens), you still have a considerable choice in the market when it comes to finding your dream home in Hungary.

What you need for buying property in Hungary

Expats currently only need to have a permit in order to buy property in Hungary. The permit can be obtained from the district council and will cost you roughly €200. The process of purchasing a permit is considered to be a formality and takes roughly six weeks to finalise.

How EU nationals can buy property in Hungary

When Hungary joined the European Union in 2004, they made it much easier for EU nationals to purchase property in Hungary. EU nationals have an easy process of buying property in Hungary, although they will need residence permits if they plan to stay in the country for more than 90 consecutive days. EU nationals can apply for residence permits within the first 30 days of arriving in Hungary. When expats apply for residence permits, they are also allowed to apply for tax and social security cars along with the option of purchasing property.

How non-EU nationals can buy property in Hungary

If you are from a non-EU country and need a visa to enter Hungary, you will need to apply for a residence permit before you arrive in the country. You will have to apply for this permit at the nearest embassy or consulate. Depending on the circumstance of your visa, the expiry date of your permit might vary but can easily be extended for long-term relocation.

After you have applied for your permit and have it in hand, you can apply for permission to buy Hungarian property from the local authorities. Although applications aren’t easily denied, the approval of your application could take up to three months.

Buying property in Hungary as a company

Many expats looking to buy property in Hungary are advised to register as a company before they apply. Property specialists advise foreign nationals to follow the company route because companies do not require permits before they can apply to purchase a house, and the process is also much quicker than it would be if you apply for purchase as an individual. Keep in mind that this option does have overhead costs which might not be ideal for your budget, but if you are looking for the fastest option of buying property in Hungary (or if you would like to buy multiple properties), this might be your ideal solution.

How long does it take to buy a house in Hungary?

The process of applying for a permit, applying to purchase, and getting your applications approved and finalised takes an average of 12-63 days, but we are here to help. Get in touch with our team of experts today in order to learn more about how we can help you buy your own property in Hungary!