Investing abroad: your questions

Hungary is a member of the European Union, with a public land registry. Before any offer, an independent lawyer checks the title, the charges registered on the property and the seller’s rights. After the purchase you receive a translated title deed and the land registry extract.

No. Our job is to remove the constraints of investing abroad, travel included. Visits can be done by video, and contracts can be signed with a power of attorney. We are always happy to meet you on site to show you the districts and introduce our partners.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens buy residential property under the same conditions as Hungarians. Buyers from outside the EU may need a permit from the government office; the lawyer applies for it. Agricultural land is subject to special restrictions.

Once the price is agreed, the sale contract can be signed within a few weeks; the lawyer then files it with the land registry. The timing depends on the financing, the seller and, for non-EU buyers, the permit.

The buyer pays a 4% transfer duty on the price (2% on any part above 1 billion forints), plus the lawyer’s fee, usually 0.5% to 1% of the price plus VAT, and our fee if we search for you.

Capital gains are taxed in Hungary, with a rate that decreases the longer you have owned the property; for individuals it disappears after five years of ownership. Your Story’s adviser will give you the details for your own situation.

Our property management team in Budapest: tenant search, lease, rent collection, bills, maintenance and reporting. See our rental management page for the details and fees.

We work with a network of local tradespeople and supervise the works, on a fixed budget and schedule, while keeping you informed of progress.

Yes. We take out home insurance in your name; the premium is paid from the rents.

Our management team handles it first, then our partner lawyers if necessary. Leases are written to protect the owner, and the deposit of two months’ rent covers unpaid rent and damage.

In practice, no longer in central Budapest: short-term rentals have been banned in District VI since 1 January 2026, and no new short-term rental registrations are accepted in Budapest until 31 December 2026. We build our investment plans on long-term rentals.

Rental income is taxed in Hungary, where the property is located: a flat 15% for individuals after a 10% flat deduction or the actual costs. In practice our clients pay on average about 8% of their rent. Tax treaties prevent double taxation; depending on your country, you may also have to declare the income at home.

Rental income from Hungary is declared in France on form 2047, under the France–Hungary tax treaty. IFI (French wealth tax on real estate) generally includes property held abroad by French tax residents. These points depend on your situation: ask your Story’s adviser, who will put you in touch with a tax specialist.

Under the EU Succession Regulation, the law of the country where the deceased habitually lived applies to the whole estate, unless they chose the law of their nationality in a will. Many investors therefore choose their national law. A notary in your country can advise you.

With your own funds, the purchase is the fastest: the money is paid through the lawyer’s escrow account and never passes through Story’s. A loan from a bank in your country is possible but usually requires guarantees at home. Hungarian banks lend to non-residents only in limited cases, with a large down payment, often 30% to 50% of the price.

Transfers in euros within the EU are easy. Converting to forints at a good rate matters: we can recommend a specialist currency service that is usually cheaper than a traditional bank.

It is recommended but not compulsory. A local account reduces bank fees and lets you convert at the right time; we can help you open one.