Reliable expertise and outstanding knowledge for your success.
Client-focused and solution-oriented legal advice and high-quality legal services in English and German languages.
YOUR LAWYER IN HUNGARY: LAJOS NAGY, DR.
01 Who We Are
I have been a member of the Budapest Bar Association for almost a decade, assisting clients in civil, commercial, corporate, real estate and pharmaceutical law. I have many years of professional experience in litigation and dispute resolution both in court and out-of-court cases and I represent my clients’ interests confidently before courts and authorities.
I studied at the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences of Eötvös Loránd University, and I also had the opportunity to broaden my knowledge in German civil law, real estate law and international trade law at the Faculty of Law at University Trier in Germany on an ERASMUS scholarship.
I am currently acting both as an independent attorney and as a collaborating lawyer of PROVARIS VARGA & PARTNERS Lawyers Association. If your case so requires, I may involve the professionals and team of PROVARIS VARGA & PARTNERS Lawyers Association.
02 Expertise
Litigation in Hungary
With pragmatic approach, and with great attention to details along with several years of experience I navigate you through court and out-of-court procedures.
The costs and risk of litigation are high and can threaten your business. As your strategic partner, I am fully committed to your success. You will always be advised how to avoid lengthy litigations and supported in amicable negotiations aiming the avoidance of court procedures. If litigation is unavoidable, I always provide comprehensive information on each step of the court procedure. I do represent clients in civil, commercial and administrative law litigations in all court instances.
As a cooperating senior associate of PROVARIS Varga & Partners Law Firm I was and I am conducting high volume cases of Swiss, German and Hungarian clients.
Mergers & Acquisitions
I help clients structure, negotiate, and execute complex domestic and international acquisitions, mergers, sale of control transactions, and joint ventures, as well as strategic business combinations, and recapitalization transactions.
I provide end-to-end transaction advisory services for M&A transactions, from the preparation of the transaction through to the signing of the sale and purchase agreement and closing of the transaction. My services include conducting the entire due diligence process, identifying legal risks and how to manage them, and providing business support to our clients during transaction negotiations. The identification and implementation of related company law tasks are also part of our full legal services.
Real estate in Hungary
I will guide you for every step of the real estate sale and purchase process from property due diligence, preparation of all documents including sale and purchase contracts to the closing of the transaction. My professional experience include single apartment and residential house purchases as well as comprehensive legal services for greenfield and brownfield investments.
Real estate legal services include
- property due diligence;
- legal advice both for the seller and the buyer side;
- preparation of sale and purchase contracts and all other documents associated with real estate transactions;
- representation of parties in front of the land registry office;
- advisory services for rental agreements;
- preparing rental agreements for flats and apartments;
- preparing rental agreements for industrial properties, office buildings and commercial stores;
- legal advice and representation in real estate litigation matters as well as in bankruptcy procedures and foreclosures.
Claim enforcement
After the legal evaluation of your claim, I will advise you the most appropriate way of claim enforcement. You will also be advised if and how lengthy litigation can be avoided with other enforcement means.
Claim enforcement has many different legal ways in Hungary therefore it is crucial first to learn and evaluate the background of your claim. In light of the evaluation, you will be advised which way is the best to enforce your claim. In many cases a simple payment order procedure is sufficient that under certain conditions can bring great results within a relatively short period. Under certain circumstances insolvency procedure or foreclosure can be initiated providing you the opportunity to recover quicker your claim without entering into a court procedure.
Bankruptcy and Insolvency proceedings
I gained thorough experience in bankruptcy and insolvency procedures representing both debtors and creditors. You will also be advised how to insert your claim as creditor, or how to defend your company against such procedures.
Corporate law in Hungary
Leaders need guidance on a broad range of activities including business start-up requirements, trading activities of an entity, dissolving or unwinding of a business as well as general questions arising from day-to-day operational activities. I advise you on all matters of formation and dissolving of entities, governing and managing bodies, shareholder conflicts and board liability.
Corporate law practice includes among others the following legal services:
- formation of all kind of companies in the territory of Hungary;
- preparing share transfer agreements and all corporate documents for the registration of changes into the Hungarian company register; syndicate agreements;
- preparing corporate documents for changes of managing directors, board members, auditors, seat, branch offices or other company data registered in the Hungarian company register;
- mergers, de-mergers, transformation of companies into other type of entities;
- cross-border mergers;
- transactions pertaining to registered capital;
- legal representation in front of the competent registration courts and other authorities involved in corporate matters;
- advisory services for corporate transactions.
Commercial and civil law advise
I negotiate and draft contracts that help you achieve your goals, protect your interests and implement them efficiently. Along with the preparation of contracts you are simultaneously advised how to mitigate risks and enter into contracts that are perfectly tailored for your business purposes.
The following types of contracts are highlighted from my professional background:
- real estate sale and purchase contracts;
- rental agreements for apartments, industrial buildings, store and office buildings;
- construction contracts for detached houses and condos;
- distribution agreements for diverse products including pharmaceutical products;
- international commercial contracts for FMCGs;
- transnational manufacturing and commercial contracts for public transport and vehicle devices and components;
- manufacturing and distribution contracts for food supplement products.
Pharmaceutical and Food law
With several years of experience in pharmaceutical and food law, I help you navigate the over-regulated legal maze of these industries. Whether it’s clinical trials, compliance issues or distribution agreements, I provide your company with full legal support. In these areas, I am available in cooperation with PROVARIS’ pharmaceutical and food law specialists.
Litigation in Hungary
With pragmatic approach, and with great attention to details along with several years of experience I navigate you through court and out-of-court procedures.
Expand To Read More
The costs and risk of litigation are high and can threaten your business. As your strategic partner, I am fully committed to your success. You will always be advised how to avoid lengthy litigations and supported in amicable negotiations aiming the avoidance of court procedures. If litigation is unavoidable, I always provide comprehensive information on each step of the court procedure. I do represent clients in civil, commercial and administrative law litigations in all court instances.
As a cooperating senior associate of PROVARIS Varga & Partners Law Firm I was and I am conducting high volume cases of Swiss, German and Hungarian clients.
Mergers & Acquisitions
I help clients structure, negotiate, and execute complex domestic and international acquisitions, mergers, sale of control transactions, and joint ventures, as well as strategic business combinations, and recapitalization transactions.
Expand To Read More
I provide end-to-end transaction advisory services for M&A transactions, from the preparation of the transaction through to the signing of the sale and purchase agreement and closing of the transaction. My services include conducting the entire due diligence process, identifying legal risks and how to manage them, and providing business support to our clients during transaction negotiations. The identification and implementation of related company law tasks are also part of our full legal services.
Real estate in Hungary
I will guide you for every step of the real estate sale and purchase process from property due diligence, preparation of all documents including sale and purchase contracts to the closing of the transaction. My professional experience include single apartment and residential house purchases as well as comprehensive legal services for greenfield and brownfield investments.
Expand To Read More
Real estate legal services include
- property due diligence;
- legal advice both for the seller and the buyer side;
- preparation of sale and purchase contracts and all other documents associated with real estate transactions;
- representation of parties in front of the land registry office;
- advisory services for rental agreements;
- preparing rental agreements for flats and apartments;
- preparing rental agreements for industrial properties, office buildings and commercial stores;
- legal advice and representation in real estate litigation matters as well as in bankruptcy procedures and foreclosures.
Claim enforcement
After the legal evaluation of your claim, I will advise you the most appropriate way of claim enforcement. You will also be advised if and how lengthy litigation can be avoided with other enforcement means.
Expand To Read More
Claim enforcement has many different legal ways in Hungary therefore it is crucial first to learn and evaluate the background of your claim. In light of the evaluation, you will be advised which way is the best to enforce your claim. In many cases a simple payment order procedure is sufficient that under certain conditions can bring great results within a relatively short period. Under certain circumstances insolvency procedure or foreclosure can be initiated providing you the opportunity to recover quicker your claim without entering into a court procedure.
Bankruptcy and Insolvency proceedings
I gained thorough experience in bankruptcy and insolvency procedures representing both debtors and creditors. You will also be advised how to insert your claim as creditor, or how to defend your company against such procedures.
Corporate law in Hungary
Leaders need guidance on a broad range of activities including business start-up requirements, trading activities of an entity, dissolving or unwinding of a business as well as general questions arising from day-to-day operational activities. I advise you on all matters of formation and dissolving of entities, governing and managing bodies, shareholder conflicts and board liability.
Expand To Read More
Corporate law practice includes among others the following legal services:
- formation of all kind of companies in the territory of Hungary;
- preparing share transfer agreements and all corporate documents for the registration of changes into the Hungarian company register; syndicate agreements;
- preparing corporate documents for changes of managing directors, board members, auditors, seat, branch offices or other company data registered in the Hungarian company register;
- mergers, de-mergers, transformation of companies into other type of entities;
- cross-border mergers;
- transactions pertaining to registered capital;
- legal representation in front of the competent registration courts and other authorities involved in corporate matters;
- advisory services for corporate transactions.
Commercial and civil law advise
I negotiate and draft contracts that help you achieve your goals, protect your interests and implement them efficiently. Along with the preparation of contracts you are simultaneously advised how to mitigate risks and enter into contracts that are perfectly tailored for your business purposes.
Expand To Read More
The following types of contracts are highlighted from my professional background:
- real estate sale and purchase contracts;
- rental agreements for apartments, industrial buildings, store and office buildings;
- construction contracts for detached houses and condos;
- distribution agreements for diverse products including pharmaceutical products;
- international commercial contracts for FMCGs;
- transnational manufacturing and commercial contracts for public transport and vehicle devices and components;
- manufacturing and distribution contracts for food supplement products.
Pharmaceutical and Food law
With several years of experience in pharmaceutical and food law, I help you navigate the over-regulated legal maze of these industries. Whether it’s clinical trials, compliance issues or distribution agreements, I provide your company with full legal support. In these areas, I am available in cooperation with PROVARIS’ pharmaceutical and food law specialists.
03 References
Advising and navigating a Swiss manufacturing company in a procurement contract concluded with a Hungarian transportation company
Effective defense of a reputable European car spare company in the Metropolitan Court of Budapest against a multimillion-euro monetary claim as well as several trademark claims
Leading a due diligence project in the acquisition of a financial company by an Australian investor
Successful defense of a hundred-years old private mansion in an administrative court case in front of the Hungarian Supreme Court
Defending a client in front of the Metropolitan Court against an unlawful removal from their home rented from the state under a lifelong rental agreement
Successful accomplishment of a cross-border merger of two shared services centers seated in Ireland and in Hungary
Litigation victory against a German law firm in a hundred thousand Euro claim for retainer fee
Advising a US pharmaceutical company in the negotiations for the market launch and distribution of drugs
04 Blog
Any and all information herein is provided for informational purposes only and is not to be relied upon as a professional legal advice.
Can I buy real property subject to mortgage?
In many cases, the selected property to be purchased is encumbered because it is subject to a mortgage, possibly foreclosure or to other encumbrance, such
Emerging importance of contractual provisions on force majeure
Both the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia conflict have had or continue to have a serious impact on different segments of the economy. Both phenomena
05 FAQ
Any and all information herein is provided for informational purposes only and is not to be relied upon as a professional legal advice.
What type of taxes are payable when buying a real estate in Hungary?
If you buy a real property in Hungary you will have to pay acquisition tax. The tax base is the market value of the real property. The tax rate is 4%. E.g. if you purchase a property for HUF 50,000,000 the acquisition tax will be HUF 2,000,000.
Do I need a permit to buy a real estate in Hungary?
If you are an EU citizen you do not need any permit for buying a real property. If you are a third country citizen (e.g. US or China) you will need a permit from the competent Hungarian governmental office. The sale and purchase contract will not be valid until the approval is granted by the authority. For the purchase of agricultural land special rules apply and non-Hungarian citizens are generally not permitted to buy land in Hungary.
How much time does it take to buy a real estate in Hungary?
Upon your decision to buy a property and obtaining all necessary data and information for the sale and purchase contract, the contract and the associated documents can be prepared within 3-5 working days. Signing shall take place in front of the attorney. When all documents are signed, one set of documents will be filed with the competent land registry office. Registration of ownership title is carried out by the land registry office within 60 days from receipt of documentation. Most of the paperwork is done by the attorney-at-law you retained.
Can I purchase a real property in Hungary without travelling to Budapest?
Yes, you can. There are two options. You can grant an authorization to a person you trust who will attend at the signing and sign all documents on your behalf. Please note that authorization requires many information and certain formalities in order to be utilized in the procedure therefore please always ask us before you grant an authorization. You can also sign the documents online. Online signing has strict requirements to be followed therefore please always consult us if you wish to grasp the opportunity of this option.
What fees should I calculate for buying a real estate in Hungary?
There are two types of fees you will have to pay: (i) procedural fee for the land registry office that is approximately EUR 20; (ii) attorney fee for the comprehensive legal services associated with the sale-purchase that is 0,75-2% of the market value of the real property.
Is it difficult to form a company in Hungary?
Establishing a company (e.g. a limited liability company) is quite simple in Hungary. First you will receive an information sheet including data and information required for forming the company. After you provided all necessary data, we will draft the company documentation in bilingual version (HU-EN or HU-DE) and let you know when documents are ready for signing. Signing shall take place in front of the attorney-at-law. Online signing is also an option, however, its requirements shall be discussed.
Can I set up a company without travelling to Hungary?
Yes, you can. Signing can take place online or if it is not feasible, signatures can be notarized (and if necessary apostilled) in your country you sign the documents.
What fees and when should I pay for establishing a company in Hungary?
Establishment of some company forms (e.g. limited liability company) are free of any procedural costs, therefore only attorney fees are payable. Attorney fees for company formation ranges between EUR 1.000 – EUR 2,500 depending on the complexity of the company to be formed. For the formation of corporations the above fees are not applicable since it is more complex and requires proceedings in front of different authorities.
How long does it take to form a company and have it registered?
Upon receipt of all data and information I prepare the corresponding documents within 3-5 working days and let you know on the date and place of signing. The signed documents will be lodged with the competent Court of Registration. The Court of Registration registers your company in the Hungarian company register within 5-10 working days from receipt of documentation.
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