Business entities in Hungary in 2023

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Healy Consultants will be happy to assist Clients with setting up businesses in Hungary. Foreign entrepreneurs have several options, the most common being the setting up of a Hungarian LLC. See below for an overview of Hungarian business entities.

  • Hungary limited liability company (Kft)

    • Hungarian limited liability companies can be registered with i) a single shareholder and ii) a single director, both of whom can be of any nationality and are not required to be ordinarily resident in Hungary;
    • All Hungarian LLCs are required to i) prepare annual financial statements and ii) file them in the Company Register every year.
  • Hungary joint stock company (JSC)

    • A Hungarian JSC can be set up with one shareholder of any nationality;
    • Other requirements include i) an initial share capital of at least €56,000 fully paid up at incorporation for a public JSC (at least €14,000 for a private JSC) ii) the appointment of at least three directors of any nationality and iii) the appointment of a certified accountant;
    • In accordance with the Corporate Taxation Act, a Hungarian JSC is required to i) have its balance sheet and annual financial statements audited by a certified accountant and ii) file them with the Company Register every year.
  • Hungary branch office (Fa)

    • Foreign corporations can enter Hungarian markets under their business name via a local branch office. However, this will subject the parent company to unlimited liability for losses incurred by the branch, as the latter is not considered a separate legal entity;
    • Every branch must appoint a resident legal representative to file annual returns with the Company Register.
  • Hungary representative office (Ki)

    • A Hungarian representative office can be 100% foreign owned, but cannot undertake any commercial activities in the country;
    • This entity can only i) promote the business of the parent company ii) conduct market research and iii) undertake liaison activities.
  • Hungary Trust

    • The formation of a trust in Hungary requires the appointment of a resident trustee, who is legally allowed to manage the assets transferred by the settlor;
    • The settlor(s) and beneficiaries are not required to be residents of Hungary and there is no specific restriction regarding asset classes, amount or location which can be put under the custody of a Hungarian trust.
  • Hungary Foundation

    • In Hungary, private foundation registration requires i) a minimum capital of €1.7 million and ii) the appointment of at least three trustees comprising the Board. All trustees must be individuals and two must be resident in Hungary;
    • The foundation must appoint an auditor and submit its annual financial statements to a statutory audit, before filing them with the Hungarian government.
  • Table of comparison between Hungary entities

    LLCJSCBranch officeRep office
    Also known as:Kft.Rt.Fa.K.i.
    How long to set the company up?2 weeks4 weeks3 weeks3 weeks
    How long to open company bank account?3 weeks2 weeks2 weeks2 weeks
    Enjoys limited liability in Hungary?YesYesNoNo
    Minimum shareholders?1100
    Authorities pre-approval needed to incorporate the company with a single shareholder?NoNoNoNo
    Maximum foreign-ownership?100%100%100%100%
    Minimum share capital?€1€16,400 (Private)
    €63,850 (Public)
    00
    File annual tax return?YesYesYesNo
    Corporate bank account options?Raiffeisen bankOTP BankUnicredit bankErste bank
    Does our Client need to travel?NoNoNoNo
    Resident director required?NoNoNoNo
    Minimum directors allowed?1311
    Corporate shareholders allowed?YesYesYesYes
    Individual shareholders allowed?YesYesNoNo
    Corporate director(s) allowed?NoNoNoNo
    Hungary corporate tax rate?10%10%10%0%
    Annual financial statements required?YesYesYesNo
    Statutory audit required?NoYesNoNo
    Allowed to issue sales invoices in Hungary?YesYesYesNo
    Allowed to sign contracts with Hungary entities?YesYesYesNo
    Allowed to import and export goods?YesYesYesNo
    Can rent an office in Hungary?YesYesYesYes
    Can buy Hungary property?YesYesYesNo
    Can own equity in other Hungary companies?YesYesNoNo
    Total Hungary business setup costs in Yr. 1€10,990€8,990€9,260€8,860
    Subsequent annual costs (incl. accounting and tax fee)€3,420€3,420€3,420€3,420
    Sample engagement fee invoiceView invoice PDFView invoice PDFView invoice PDFView invoice PDF

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For additional information on our business setup services in Hungary, please contact our in-house country expert, Mr. Petar Chakarov, directly:
client relationship officer - Petar
  • Mr. Petar Chakarov
  • Sales & Business Development Manager
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