Free Land Registry Extract in Hungary
Before buying or selling property in Hungary, the single most important document to consult is the land registry title extract (tulajdoni lap). It is the authoritative record of who owns a property and what rights and encumbrances are registered against it. The good news: Hungarian residents with a government portal account can access a non-certified extract for free.
What the Hungarian land registry shows
A Hungarian title extract (tulajdoni lap) is divided into three sections:
- Section I — Property data: address, plot number, area, zoning classification, building details.
- Section II — Ownership: current registered owner(s), the basis and date of acquisition, and any ownership restrictions (e.g. pre-emption rights, right of first refusal).
- Section III — Encumbrances: mortgages, usufruct rights, easements, enforcement orders, and any other third-party rights registered against the property.
For a buyer, Section III is critical — any encumbrance that is not cleared before completion will transfer with the property.
Certified vs. non-certified extracts
Hungarian law distinguishes between two types of extract:
| Type | Use | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Non-certified (nem hiteles) | General information; not valid for official or legal proceedings | Free (up to 2 per year via the government portal) |
| Certified (hiteles) | Required for contracts, court proceedings, and official use | HUF 3,600 via the government portal; HUF 4,800 via a lawyer's system |
For executing a purchase agreement, only a certified extract is acceptable. Our firm always obtains a certified extract on the day of signing to ensure the contract reflects the current registered state of the property.
How to access the land registry online
Hungarian residents can access the land registry through the Ügyfélkapu+ government portal at magyarorszag.hu. After logging in, navigate to the land registry service, search by address or plot number (helyrajzi szám), and select the type of extract you need.
Non-residents and foreign buyers who do not hold a Hungarian government portal account cannot access the system directly — but their appointed lawyer can obtain both certified and non-certified extracts on their behalf through the professional legal access system.
Why two free non-certified extracts per year?
Under Hungarian law, every person is entitled to request two free non-certified title extracts per year through the government portal. Additional non-certified extracts cost HUF 1,000 each; certified extracts cost HUF 3,600 each regardless of your annual quota.
If you are buying or selling property in Hungary and would like a lawyer to carry out a full title check on your behalf, contact our firm. We obtain and review title extracts as part of our standard service on every transaction.
