Property templates and checklistsHungary

Reviewed October 28, 2026. Not legal advice. Have a notary or lawyer check your case before you sign.

Buying

1
Written offer (vételi ajánlat)
The buyer often starts with a written offer, usually through an estate agent.
2
Preliminary contract (előszerződés)
The parties sign it first when the sale contract cannot be signed yet, for example because a loan or a permit is pending.
3
Sale contract (adásvételi szerződés)
A Hungarian lawyer drafts and countersigns it (ügyvédi ellenjegyzés), or a notary puts it in a notarial deed. No notary is needed otherwise.
4
Deposit and retention of title
The buyer usually pays a deposit (foglaló) at signature. The seller often reserves ownership until the full price is paid.
5
Land registry filing
The lawyer holds the seller's consent to registration in escrow and files the contract with the government office (kormányhivatal) land registry.
6
Registration of the buyer
The procedure is fully electronic since 15 January 2025 (Act C of 2021). Without the countersignature or the deed, the registry does not register the buyer.
7
Transfer duty and permits
The buyer pays a 4% transfer duty on the market value, declared within 30 days. A non-EU, EEA or Swiss buyer needs a government office permit.

Law (Lakástörvény, Civil Code): Act LXXVIII of 1993 (Ltv.) and Ptk. (Act V of 2013) 6:331 to 6:348. Municipal and state housing follow separate rules.
Form: The lease is valid only in writing. There is no official model lease and no registration of the lease.
Rent: The parties agree the rent, the duration and any rent increase freely. No rent control for private lets.
Indefinite lease, notice: Either party gives notice by the 15th day of a month, to the end of the next month. The landlord needs no reason.
Fixed-term lease: It ends on its date. Ordinary notice is possible only if the lease allows it.
Deposit: No legal cap. A court can reduce a deposit above three months' rent at the tenant's request.
Energy certificate: The landlord shows it before signing and hands it over at signing.
Declaration to vacate: Many landlords ask for one in a notarial deed (kiköltözési nyilatkozat). It allows eviction without a court case.