Company & Corporate Law · Hungary
Company formation in Hungary — with the right legal partner
Hungary works on a fully codified, continental system, so the rules that shape a new business are written down — but they sit across several acts, forms and procedures. We compare specialists who deal with company formation in Hungary every day and introduce you to the ones who fit your project. Free of charge, and with no obligation on your side.
- Codified framework: Act V of 2013 governs companies
- Bar-registered Hungarian ügyvéd, admitted nationwide
- Free matching — first reply usually within 24–48h
Free and without obligation. We match you with a specialist; we do not give legal advice ourselves.
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Setting up in Hungary
How company formation in Hungary really works
Company formation in Hungary rewards preparation. The country follows the continental civil-law model, so the rules that shape a new business come from written codes rather than from judicial precedent. Since 15 March 2014 the Civil Code (Act V of 2013) has gathered the law on persons, property, obligations, companies and succession into a single instrument of eight Books. Before you pick a structure, commit to a registered seat or sign anything, it helps to understand how the Hungarian courts, the bar and the procedural deadlines interact. That is where a local specialist saves you time. Tell us what you want to build and we match you with someone who handles company formation in Hungary as part of their daily work.
Hungary in practice
What company formation in Hungary involves on the ground
Company formation in Hungary sits inside a codified private-law system with a four-tier judiciary and a compulsory bar. The practical points below come from official Hungarian sources: how the framework is built, who may act for you, where representation is required, what proceedings cost and which deadlines apply.
A codified, continental framework
Hungary follows the continental civil-law model: rights and duties flow from written codes, not from judicial precedent. The Civil Code (Act V of 2013, Polgári Törvénykönyv) entered into force on 15 March 2014, replacing the 1959 code. It unites the rules on persons, family law, property, obligations, companies and succession in a single instrument of eight Books — a major re-codification of Hungarian private law.
Who may act for you
Practising as an ügyvéd 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). Once admitted, a practitioner may carry out professional activities throughout the whole territory of Hungary, and mandatory continuing professional training applies. Membership is compulsory, not optional.
Courts and where representation is required
The judiciary comprises 158 courts in four tiers — district courts (járásbíróság), administrative and labour courts, regional courts (törvényszék) and regional courts of appeal — headed by the Curia (Kúria) in Budapest. There is no subordination between the levels and judges are independent. Representation is mandatory before the regional court and the higher courts, but not in matters falling within district-court jurisdiction (Act CXXX of 2016, Section 72).
Court fees and professional fees
Court fees (illeték) are charged under Act XCIII of 1990. Following the reform of 28 January 2025, first-instance contentious proceedings follow a tiered scale, while other non-contentious proceedings attract 3% of the subject-matter value, with a minimum of HUF 5,000 and a maximum of HUF 250,000. Professional fees are freely agreed between practitioner and client; there is no binding statutory tariff.
Company deadlines you cannot miss
Company matters are not open-ended. A company resolution may be challenged within 30 days, and after one year any such challenge is precluded. The general limitation period for debt recovery runs for five years. These windows are short and easy to lose track of, so it pays to have them diarised from the very first day of trading.
Legal aid and access to advice
Act LXXX of 2003 on legal aid supports advice, document drafting and representation in civil, labour and administrative matters for people who lack sufficient means. Eligibility turns on the social reference base (szociális vetítési alap) and an assessment of assets. Its forint value is set annually in the central budget act, so the thresholds move each year rather than being fixed in the act itself.
Key time limits — Commercial & Corporate Law
| Matter | Time limit | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Debt recovery (general limitation period) | 5 years | The general civil limitation period under the Civil Code covers most contractual claims. |
| Setting aside a company resolution | 30 days (one-year preclusion) | The challenge period is 30 days, and the claim is precluded after one year. |
All structural, cost and deadline information above is drawn from official Hungarian sources — the Hungarian judicial system portal and the national legislation database (njt.jog.gov.hu) — as published at the time of writing.
- Hungarian judicial system — courts, structure and the Curia
- Civil Code (Act V of 2013) — national legislation portal
- Act LXXVIII of 2017 — professional activity of bar members
- Act XCIII of 1990 on Duties — court fees
- Act CXXX of 2016 — Civil Procedure Code
- Act CL of 2016 — administrative procedure (appeal deadline)
- Act I of 2012 — Labour Code (employment deadlines)
- Act LXXX of 2003 on Legal Aid
Common problems
What makes company formation in Hungary tricky
Three issues that come up repeatedly when founders look at company formation in Hungary from the outside.
Where do I actually start?
Structure, registered seat, capital, tax number, filings — the rules are codified but spread across several acts and official forms, and the order in which you do things genuinely matters.
Do I need local support?
Practising as an ügyvéd requires membership of a regional bar association, and representation is compulsory before the regional court and the higher courts. Choosing the wrong support costs both time and money.
Setting up from abroad
If you are in another country, your documents, signatures, translations and correspondence all need to fit Hungarian procedural expectations — and the deadlines still run regardless of where you sit.
Why use the service
What happens once you are matched
A short, clear process that puts you in front of a specialist instead of a search engine.
Matched to company-formation specialists
We compare practitioners who handle corporate work regularly, so you speak to someone who knows the Hungarian framework rather than a generalist learning on your file.
One clear point of contact
You deal with a single practitioner for the whole setup, from the first conversation about structure through to the filings and the opening formalities.
Costs discussed before work begins
Professional fees in Hungary are freely agreed between practitioner and client and there is no binding statutory tariff, which means scope and price can be settled in advance.
Coverage across the whole country
Budapest, Debrecen, Szeged, Miskolc, Pécs, Győr, Nyíregyháza and beyond: a bar member admitted in Hungary may carry out professional activities throughout the entire territory.
Nearby and relevant markets
Where else we can match you
Founders often compare Hungary with its neighbours and with larger European markets before deciding where to incorporate. We cover these jurisdictions too, so you can look at more than one option.
Questions
Company formation in Hungary — frequently asked questions
Which legal framework governs company formation in Hungary?
Hungary follows the continental civil-law model, so written codes rather than judicial precedent govern. The Civil Code (Act V of 2013, Polgári Törvénykönyv) entered into force on 15 March 2014, replacing the 1959 code, and unites the rules on persons, family law, property, obligations, companies and succession in a single instrument of eight Books.
Do I have to instruct a Hungarian ügyvéd, or can I handle things alone?
Membership of a regional bar association is compulsory to practise in Hungary, and only admitted practitioners may carry out those professional activities (Act LXXVIII of 2017). Representation is mandatory before the regional court and the higher courts, but not in actions falling within district-court jurisdiction, where parties may appear in person (Act CXXX of 2016, Section 72).
Which Hungarian deadlines should a new company watch?
Two stand out. A company resolution may be challenged within 30 days, and after one year such a challenge is precluded. Separately, the general limitation period for debt recovery is five years under the Civil Code. Short procedural windows like these are easy to miss when you are focused on launching a business.
What does litigation cost in Hungary?
Court fees are set by Act XCIII of 1990. Since the reform of 28 January 2025, first-instance contentious proceedings follow a tiered scale, while other non-contentious proceedings attract 3% of the subject-matter value, with a minimum of HUF 5,000 and a maximum of HUF 250,000. Professional fees are freely agreed with your practitioner.
Is legal aid available in Hungary?
Yes. Act LXXX of 2003 on legal aid provides support with advice, document drafting and representation in civil, labour and administrative matters for people without sufficient means, and can cover exemption from or deferral of procedural costs. Eligibility depends on the social reference base and on an assets assessment, and the forint threshold is reset each year.
How does your matching service work?
You describe your project in a few lines: the activity, the structure you have in mind and where you are based. We compare the profiles of practitioners who work with company formation in Hungary and introduce you to those that match. The service is free, carries no obligation, and is not legal advice.
Next step
Tell us what you want to set up in Hungary
Describe your project in a few sentences — activity, intended structure, where you are based. We compare the profiles of practitioners who handle company formation in Hungary and introduce you to those that fit. The matching is free of charge and you decide whether to take it further.