Process of buying a property in Hungary

Find a Property

Browse real estate websites, work with a real estate agent.

Agree on Terms

Negotiate price, move-in date, what’s included (furniture, fixtures), and payment terms.
You may also sign a Preliminary Agreement (optional but common), with a deposit (5–10%).

Hire a Lawyer (Mandatory)

A Hungarian lawyer must draft or countersign the Sale and Purchase Agreement.
The lawyer also:

Verifies the seller's ownership
Checks for encumbrances, mortgages, or debts
Submits documents to the Land Registry

Sign the Sale and Purchase Agreement

Buyer pays a deposit (usually 10%) at this point.
The contract includes:

Legal property description
Price and payment schedule
Deadlines and penalties
Conditions (like whether it must be mortgage-free before transfer)

Special Notes for Foreigners

EU/EEA citizens: Can buy most property types without special permission.
Non-EU citizens: Need permission from the local government office (takes ~30 days; usually a formality).
Foreigners cannot buy agricultural land (unless very specific conditions are met).

Pay Taxes & Fees

Buyer pays:

Property transfer tax (4% of market value, sometimes less for lower-value homes)
Lawyer fees (1–1.5% + VAT)
Real estate agent fee, if not paid by the seller (depends on contract)

No VAT on used residential property (new-builds may have VAT)

Land Registry Transfer

Your lawyer submits the signed contract and supporting documents to the Land Registry Office.
Buyer becomes legal owner once registered (can take a few weeks).
You’ll get a title deed (Tulajdoni Lap).

Handover & Utilities

After full payment and registration, the seller hands over:

Keys
Utility changeover documents
Building plans, manuals, etc.

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