Wills & Succession · Hungary
Wills lawyers in Hungary who plan your succession
Hungarian succession is written law, and what you can leave to whom is set by the Civil Code. Tell us about your estate and we introduce you to a lawyer admitted to the Hungarian bar who handles wills and compulsory share questions.
- Wills, compulsory share and estate distribution
- Lawyers admitted to the Hungarian bar
- Free, no-obligation matching
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Succession in Hungary
Why Hungarian succession needs careful planning
Hungarian succession law is codified in the Civil Code (Act V of 2013), which entered into force on 15 March 2014 and gathered the rules on persons, family law, property, obligations and succession into a single instrument of eight Books. If you own property in Hungary, hold accounts there or have family ties to the country, the way your estate is distributed depends on that code — and on whether you leave a valid will. Wills lawyers in Hungary draft and review testamentary documents, advise on the compulsory share (kötelesrész) and represent heirs when a will is disputed. Our free matching service introduces you to a Hungarian lawyer who works in succession law, in a language you can use, so that you can decide with clear information instead of guesswork.
Hungary in detail
How succession and wills work in Hungary
Succession in Hungary is governed by written law rather than by judicial precedent. The points below show how the framework works in practice — from the compulsory share that limits what you can leave away from close family, to the courts, representatives and costs you may encounter.
One codified law for the whole estate
Hungary replaced its 1959 Civil Code with the comprehensive Civil Code (Act V of 2013, Polgári Törvénykönyv), in force since 15 March 2014. It unifies persons, family law, property, obligations, companies and succession in one instrument of eight Books, so succession questions are answered from a single code rather than from case law.
The compulsory share limits testamentary freedom
Hungarian succession law protects close family through the compulsory share (kötelesrész). The descendant, spouse and parent of the estate leaver may claim one-third of what they would have received as intestate heirs (Civil Code, Sections 7:75 and 7:82). A testator can only exclude such a beneficiary by valid disinheritance on statutory grounds, and the claim lapses after five years.
Marriage, property regime and what falls into the estate
Unless the spouses agree otherwise in a matrimonial property contract, a matrimonial community of property (házastársi vagyonközösség) exists between them during the marital community of life (Civil Code, Section 4:34(2)). What belongs to each spouse therefore shapes what is left in an estate, and the property regime may be chosen before or during the marriage.
Who is allowed to act for you
Practising as an attorney-at-law in Hungary requires membership of one of the regional bar associations, which are themselves members of the Hungarian Bar Association (MÜK) seated in Budapest (Act LXXVIII of 2017). A lawyer admitted to the bar may act throughout the whole territory of Hungary, and only lawyers, law offices and registered in-house legal counsels may act as agents.
Representation before the Hungarian courts
Legal representation is mandatory in litigation unless an Act provides otherwise, but it is not required in actions within the subject-matter jurisdiction of the district courts (járásbíróság), where parties may appear in person (Civil Procedure Code, Act CXXX of 2016, Section 72). Before the regional court and the higher courts, a lawyer is required.
Court fees, legal fees and legal aid
In other non-contentious proceedings the court fee is 3% of the subject-matter value, with a minimum of HUF 5,000 and a maximum of HUF 250,000. Lawyers’ fees are freely agreed by mandate, as there is no binding statutory tariff. Legal aid under Act LXXX of 2003 can cover advice, document drafting and representation where the neediness test is met.
Key time limit — Inheritance, Probate & Wills
Compulsory share (forced heirship) claim — 5 years. A compulsory share claim by a descendant, spouse or parent lapses after five years.
The country data on this page is drawn from official Hungarian sources — the national legislation database and the Hungarian judicial system portal — and was checked for this page.
- Civil Code of Hungary (Act V of 2013) — succession, compulsory share, property regimes
- Hungarian judicial system — court structure and the Curia
- Act LXXVIII of 2017 on the professional activities of attorneys-at-law
- Civil Procedure Code (Act CXXX of 2016) — mandatory representation
- Act XCIII of 1990 on Duties — court fees
- Act LXXX of 2003 on Legal Aid
Common situations
When Hungarian succession planning gets complicated
Most people come to us with an estate that crosses borders, a document whose effect is unclear, or a family disagreement that has already started.
Property in Hungary, life abroad
You live in another country but own a flat, land or a business interest in Hungary. Your family is unsure which rules apply to the estate and who is entitled to what.
A will whose effect is unclear
A relative left a handwritten testament, or the wording is ambiguous. You need to know how it stands against the compulsory share and what the beneficiaries can actually claim.
Courts and language
Succession disputes can reach the regional court, where legal representation is mandatory, and proceedings are conducted in Hungarian. You need someone who can act for you there.
How we help
Matching you with the right Hungarian succession lawyer
We are a matching service, not a law firm. We listen to your situation and introduce you to a lawyer whose practice fits it.
Lawyers who work in succession
We match you with Hungarian lawyers whose practice covers wills, compulsory share claims and estate distribution under the Civil Code of 2013.
Free and without obligation
Describing your situation costs nothing and commits you to nothing. You decide whether to instruct the lawyer we introduce to you.
Lawyers across Hungary
From Budapest and Debrecen to Szeged, Miskolc, Pécs and Győr, we introduce lawyers admitted to the regional bar associations.
A clear first answer
You receive a first response within roughly 24 to 48 hours, so you know which documents and questions matter before you make a decision.
Cross-border estates
Estates that touch more than one country
We introduce clients to lawyers in Hungary and in the countries most often connected to Hungarian estates. If your matter spans two jurisdictions, tell us and we take that into account when matching.
Questions and answers
Wills and succession in Hungary: what clients ask
What do wills lawyers in Hungary actually do?
They advise on succession under the Civil Code (Act V of 2013), help draft and review testamentary documents, work out the compulsory share (kötelesrész), look at debts and assets forming part of the estate, and represent heirs where a matter reaches court.
How much of my estate must go to my close family?
Hungarian law restricts testamentary freedom through the compulsory share. The descendant, spouse and parent of the estate leaver are entitled to one-third of what they would have received as intestate heirs (Civil Code, Sections 7:75 and 7:82). A testator can only exclude them by valid disinheritance on statutory grounds.
How long do I have to claim a compulsory share?
A claim for the compulsory share lapses after five years. Because that period is set by the Civil Code and does not wait for family discussions to finish, it is sensible to have the will and the relevant records reviewed early.
Do I need a lawyer in a Hungarian succession case?
Legal representation is mandatory in litigation as a general rule, but not in actions within the subject-matter jurisdiction of the district courts (járásbíróság), where parties may act in person. Before the regional court and the higher courts, an attorney-at-law is required (Act CXXX of 2016, Section 72).
How are court fees and lawyers’ fees handled in Hungary?
Lawyers’ fees are freely agreed between lawyer and client by mandate, because there is no binding statutory tariff. In other non-contentious proceedings the court fee is 3% of the subject-matter value, with a minimum of HUF 5,000 and a maximum of HUF 250,000.
Can I get legal aid for an estate matter in Hungary?
Legal aid under Act LXXX of 2003 provides support for legal advice, the drafting of documents and representation in civil matters where the party lacks sufficient means. The neediness test is tied to the social reference base, whose forint value is set each year in the central budget act.
Free matching
Find a wills lawyer in Hungary today
Describe your estate, your family situation and any document you already have. We will introduce you to a Hungarian lawyer who handles succession work, and you decide whether to instruct them.