Buying Property in Hungary: The Ultimate Guide by Experts

Hungary has become one of Europe’s most attractive real estate markets for international investors. With competitive property prices, strong rental yields, and a strategic location in the heart of the EU, the country offers excellent long-term potential.

What makes Hungary even more appealing is the recently launched Golden Visa (Guest Investor Program), which allows non-EU investors to secure 10-year residency through qualifying real estate funds investments or making a donation.

Whether you’re looking to diversify your portfolio, gain EU access, or enjoy Hungary’s high quality of life, buying property in Hungary presents both lifestyle and financial advantages.

In this guide you will learn about:

• Who can buy property in Hungary
• Buying property in Hungary as a foreigner
• Steps for buying property in Hungary as a foreigner
• Best places to buy property in Hungary
• Hungary property market compared to other EU countries
• Hungary property tax
• Advantages of buying a property in Hungary
• Pitfalls of buying property in Hungary

Anyone can buy property in Hungary. But there are some different requirements depending on nationality. Let’s take a closer look:

EU citizens: Citizens of the European Union are not required to obtain a permit to purchase property in Hungary. Generally, a buying contract is drawn up by a lawyer. The buyer and the seller will sign the contract before the purchase.

Non-EU-citizens: Foreign nationals that are not EU citizens need permission from the local Hungarian Land Registry of the district where the property is. A lawyer will obtain this approval, and it generally takes around four weeks.

There are a few things to be aware of when buying property in Hungary as a foreigner. Foreign nationals are required to obtain permission from the Hungarian Land Registry before they can purchase real estate.

Foreign nationals are also required to hire a Hungarian lawyer to oversee the property contracts. The fees are generally around 1%-1.5% of the property value.

If foreign nationals are looking for a way to obtain residency in Hungary the Hungarian Golden Visa offers residency by investment. Here, foreign nationals can invest in a real estate investment fund or make a donation in exchange for residency.

What are the steps for buying property in Hungary as a foreigner?

Here is a step-by-step process to buying a property in Hungary as a foreigner:

1. Find the right property: Research the type of property and location that suits your needs. Options include apartments, townhouses, and houses. Working with a local real estate agent can help you navigate the market and identify properties with good investment potential.
2. Complete legal due diligence: Check that the property is free of debts or legal disputes. If you’re a foreign buyer, confirm the legal requirements for owning property in Hungary at this stage.
3. Draft the purchase agreement: Your lawyer will prepare a purchase contract that complies with Hungarian law. Legal assistance is mandatory for all property transactions.
4. Register with the Land Registry: After signing the contract, register the property with the Land Registry to obtain official ownership rights.
5. Make the payment: Once purchase permission is granted, you can transfer the payment for the property.
6. Obtain the ownership certificate: Your lawyer can collect the property ownership certificate from the Land Registry to finalize the purchase.
7. Pay property taxes: The buyer must pay a 4% stamp duty within 90 days of completing the purchase.

Working with a Hungary immigration lawyer may offer the ideal solution, with many offering services for property purchases as well as obtaining Hungarian residency.

The Hungary property market has seen a significant boom in the past few years, with more foreign nationals looking to make this EU country their new home. Here are some of the most popular and desirable places to buy property, along with the costs of buying property in Hungary.

Budapest

Budapest is the highest in demand area, being one of the best places to live in Hungary. Known for its strong expat community, growing tourism, and in demand rentals, buying property in Budapest is a great investment option. Living in Budapest brings with it a high standard of living, a chance to explore the incredible historical architecture, and luxury properties. Additionally, the lower cost of living compared with other large cities in the EU make it an attractive investment.

Property prices in Budapest

Debrecen

Debrecen is the second largest city in Hungary after Budapest. This known city is known for its fantastic university, offering great opportunities for purchasing rental properties in the city center. The city of Debrecen offers a more laid-back feel to Budapest, while still offering a high quality of life.

Debrecen is popular among digital nomads as it offers a more relaxed atmosphere while still having a big city feel with modern infrastructure and amenities. Based on our Global Digital Nomad Report, Hungary ranks 16th out of 64 countries with a score of 88. Additionally, the property prices in Debrecen are also lower.

Property prices in Debrecen

Lake Balaton

Lake Balaton is known as Hungary’s “inland sea.” It is a premier destination for property investment. The stunning natural beauty and vibrant tourist scene, make this an excellent opportunity for vacation rental properties in Hungary.

Compared to Budapest, Lake Balaton offers a relaxed, resort-like atmosphere, ideal for those seeking tranquility. Property prices around the lake are generally more affordable than in Budapest, with strong potential for value appreciation.

Popular areas like Siófok and Balatonfüred cater to diverse tastes, from lively nightlife to family-friendly retreats, ensuring consistent rental yields and potential for future purchase.

Property prices in Lake Balaton

Looking at the difference between the Hungary property market compared to other EU countries can help you understand the investment opportunities and how they differ to other countries:

Hungary

The Hungary property market has seen some significant increases in recent years, with residential properties holding the largest market share of 1.19 trillion in 2024. The residential property market in Hungary is predicted to grow at an annual rate of 5.92% (CAGR 2024-2029). This would lead to a total market volume of $1.96 trillion by 2029.

Portugal

The Portugal real estate market has also seen dramatic growth and the predictions are following suit. The residential property market in Portugal is estimated to grow by 4.97% between 2024-2029, with the market growing from 1.33 trillion in 2024 to $2.09 trillion in 2029.

Spain

Spain has a booming real estate market, with the residential real estate sector dominating the market at 5.69 trillion in 2024. Projections are even better, showing an annual growth rate of 2.77% between 2024-2029, taking the market to a staggering $8.22 trillion in 2029.

Greece

Greece is another popular country for real estate investment and for good reason. The residential real estate market in Greece is set to hit $1.28 trillion in 2024. Predictions show an annual growth rate of 3.53% between 2024-2029, with the market reaching $1.82 trillion in 2029.

The property purchase expenses aren’t the only financial consideration when purchasing property in Hungary. Here are the taxes in Hungary for purchasing a property:

• Property registration: Registering your property at the Land Registry will cost about 10,600 HUF (€26.04/$27.53)
• Transfer tax: The property transfer tax is generally about 4% for property purchases.
• Notary fees: The legal fees for real estate transactions are about 0.5%-1% of the purchase price.

Important to note: If you choose to take out a mortgage with banks in Hungary, there may be additional costs and fees incurred. Additionally, different taxes may apply. For example, corporate income tax under certain circumstances.

There are a range of advantages of buying property in Hungary, including:

Good investment

Purchasing property in Hungary is quickly becoming one of the most popular investment options for the country. In fact, statistics show that up to 40% of foreigners of those buying properties in Hungary are doing so in Budapest due to the fantastic return on investment.

Property market on the rise

The Hungarian property market has been increasing and predictions between 2024-2029 show an annual growth rate of 5.92%.

Low real estate prices

Compared to other areas in Europe, Hungary offers significantly lower property prices. For example, in Budapest, the price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city center is €3,667.48. This is significantly lower than other big cities in Europe like Lisbon, Portugal, where the same will cost €5,994.43.

Options for residency

Purchasing a property in Hungary offers foreign investors the chance to obtain a Hungary residence permit through the Golden Visa program.

While there are many benefits to buying property in Hungary, it’s always good to be aware of the disadvantages:

Lawyer required

Foreign buyers purchasing property in Hungary are required to hire a lawyer for all document requirements and communication with relevant public agencies.

Energy efficiency certification

All properties sold in Hungary are required to obtain an energy performance certificate, stating the efficiency class of the building.

Land Registry waiting period

Buying property in Hungary can be quite complex when seeking approval from the Land Registry. The transfer of ownership cannot take place without approval, even if the purchase contract has been signed by both parties.

Overall, Hungary is a great place to buy property. Whether you’re looking to make a return on your investment or want to invest in exchange for a residence permit, investing in the Hungary property market in 2025 is a fantastic option.

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments. 

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application. 

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