The legal rules of real estate acquisition in Hungary differ dependent on whether the acquisition is for arable or non-arable land (residential and commercial properties), by Hungarian residents or non-residents and whether by natural or legal entities. Such diversity in the regulation is due to the fact that real estate is viewed as limited in number or volume and, particularly in relation to arable agricultural land, is considered to be a very precious natural resource. Strict legal regulation of the trading of real estate is additionally justified by its high market value and the risk of speculative transactions.

In many cases, it can be more cost effective to acquire a business entity that owns real estate, as far as transfer tax and company tax on income resulting from sale of ownership interest are concerned.

Restrictions, Limitations on Acquisition of Ownership to Real Property

Non-agricultural Real Estate

Hungarian individuals and legal entities may acquire ownership right to non-agricultural real estate (residential, commercial or industrial property) freely, without any restriction. Foreign individuals or legal entities, however, need permission for the acquisition of the ownership right to non-agricultural real estate in Hungary (with the exception of EU citizens). Similarly, the acquisition of historic and protected buildings and monuments is subject to permitting by the competent authorities and undertaking of serious maintenance and other obligations.

Agricultural Real Estate

Title to agricultural land (including all agricultural areas) may not be acquired by foreign or Hungarian legal entities, nor by non-EU individuals. As from May 1, 2014, arable land in excess of one hectare may only be acquired by those Hungarian or EU citizen individuals who also qualify as farmers, with certain exceptions. Arable land may only be leased by farmers or by legal entities registered as agricultural producing entities. Farmers may own up to 300 hectares and may lease up to 1,200 hectares of arable land; agricultural producing entities may lease 1,200 hectares and, in certain special cases, up to 1,800 hectares of agricultural land.

Transaction Structuring: Share Deal or Asset Deal?

 Transfer Duty Considerations

Until recently, while the Hungarian state levied high transfer duty fee (10% of the purchase price) on purchasers of real estate, those who acquired ownership interest in a company whose main or only asset consisted in one or more real properties was not subject to such a duty or tax. This differentiation changed when the general transfer duty fee payable by the purchaser upon the purchase of a real estate was decreased to 4% of the purchase price: the transfer duty payment obligation was extended, with some exceptions, to the acquisition of an ownership share in any company owning real property in Hungary.

Currently, the general transfer duty is 4% up to a commercial value of HUF 1 billion (approximately €3.25 million) per property, and 2% for the value exceeding HUF 1 billion, the upper limit of any transfer duty payable being HUF 200 million (approximately €645,000 or US$690,000) per real property.

The 4% general transfer duty on the acquisition of ownership interest is only payable if the purchaser (together with its majority owned enterprise and its affiliated companies) acquires at least 75% of the company’s total capital.

Effective from January 1, 2017, for asset deals, the rate of transfer duty is 3% for real estate trading and licensed financial leasing enterprises that undertake to re-sell the real property to an independent third party within two years or give the real property into a financial leasing resulting in the transfer of ownership. The transfer duty is 2% for licensed real estate funds and, for the above described enterprises, if they undertake that the transfer contract is completed and fulfilled with the acquisition of title of the buyer.

The transfer of real property or business shares of a company owning real property is exempt from transfer duty if the companies involved are recognized as affiliated under the Act on Corporate Tax and Dividend Tax, provided that the buyer’s business activity is renting and operating of own or leased real estate, or buying and selling of own real estate.

Other Considerations

Notwithstanding the above, the share deal for a real property transaction might have certain advantages vis-à-vis the asset deal depending on the particulars of the case and the main objectives of the investor.