Yes, foreigners can buy property in Hungary, including apartments and houses in Budapest. EU and EEA citizens enjoy almost the same rights as Hungarian nationals, while non-EU buyers need a simple government permit that is granted in nearly every residential transaction. This guide explains exactly how the process works in 2026, what it costs, and how long it takes.
Who Can Buy Property in Hungary
There are three buyer categories under Hungarian law.
EU and EEA citizens can purchase any apartment, house or land for residential or rental purposes with no special permit, treated identically to Hungarian citizens for most property types.
Non-EU citizens (Americans, British, Australians, Canadians, citizens of the Middle East, Asia and Latin America) need an administrative permit issued by the local Government Office. The permit is procedural rather than discretionary, and approval rates for residential apartments in Budapest are very high.
Companies registered in Hungary, regardless of the nationality of the owners, can purchase property without the foreign buyer permit. Many international investors choose to set up a Hungarian KFT (limited liability company) for this reason.
Step by Step Process for Foreign Buyers
The end to end process from first viewing to keys in hand takes between four and eight weeks.
First, you reserve the apartment with a small deposit, usually around one thousand to three thousand euros, paid into the lawyer's escrow account. The reservation contract pulls the listing off the market while the legal work begins.
Second, your Hungarian property lawyer runs the title check (tulajdoni lap) at the national land registry, confirms the seller is the registered owner, checks for mortgages or encumbrances, and drafts the preliminary purchase contract.
Third, both parties sign the preliminary contract in front of the lawyer. At this point the buyer pays ten percent of the purchase price as a non refundable down payment. The seller is now legally bound to sell.
Fourth, if you are a non-EU citizen, the lawyer files the foreign buyer permit application. This step takes approximately four to six weeks. During this period the contract is conditional on permit approval.
Fifth, on permit approval the parties sign the final contract, the buyer pays the remaining balance, and ownership is transferred at the land registry. Keys are handed over the same day.
Costs and Taxes for Foreign Buyers
Total transaction costs sit between five and eight percent of the purchase price.
Property transfer tax (illeték) is four percent of the purchase price. There is a reduced rate for first time Hungarian buyers under thirty five, but foreign buyers typically pay the full four percent.
Lawyer fees range from one to one and a half percent of the price plus VAT, with a minimum of usually around one thousand to one thousand five hundred euros.
The non-EU permit fee is fifty thousand forints (around one hundred thirty euros).
Land registry fees and notary fees add a few hundred euros more.
There is no real estate agent fee for buyers in Budapest; the seller pays the agency commission.
Required Documents
You will need a valid passport, your Hungarian tax number (adóigazgatási azonosító szám), proof of funds for the purchase, and the original purchase contract signed in Hungarian and your home language. The Hungarian tax number is free and can be obtained at the local tax office (NAV) in two or three working days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take a foreigner to buy property in Hungary? Four to eight weeks for non-EU citizens including the permit, two to four weeks for EU citizens.
Do I need to be in Hungary to complete the purchase? No, you can grant your lawyer a power of attorney and complete the entire transaction remotely.
Can I get a mortgage as a foreigner? Yes, but Hungarian banks are conservative with non-resident buyers. Expect to put down at least forty to fifty percent and to provide proof of stable foreign income.
Can buying property give me residency? Property ownership alone does not grant residency, but Hungary's new Guest Investor Visa programme allows real estate fund investment to qualify for a long term residence permit.
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Our team at Buy Budapest Apartments specialises in helping international buyers through every step, from viewing to handover. We work with vetted Hungarian property lawyers, speak English, Russian and German, and have helped hundreds of foreign buyers complete safe and successful transactions in Budapest. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or to view available properties.
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