The acquisition of real estate by foreigners (non-EU citizens and legal entities residing outside the EU) is subject to a permit issued by the competent government office which can only be granted if it does not harm the public interest and the interest of the local government. It can also be refused to foreigners if their country of nationality does not grant the same treatment to Hungarians by virtue of a treaty or based on the principle of reciprocity. In order to obtain a permit to acquire real estate, foreign entities must be established in Hungary through a branch office or a commercial representative. Separate rules apply to the acquisition of agricultural and forest land, which may not be acquired by legal persons (both domestic and foreign) or foreign natural persons.

"§ 1. 
(1) In order to authorize the acquisition of the ownership of real estate (hereinafter: real estate) not classified as agricultural and forestry land pursuant to the Act on the Turnover of Agricultural and Forestry Land by a foreign legal or natural person (hereinafter together: foreign) should be used.
(2) The scope of this Decree does not extend to Act CXXXII of 1997 on the Branches and Commercial Representations of Foreign-Based Enterprises in Hungary . Act (hereinafter: Branch Act) in accordance with the cases specified in Section 17 (1) .
(3) The Branch Act. In order to authorize the exemption from the alienation obligation pursuant to Section 17 (5), the rules for the authorization of the acquisition of real estate by foreigners contained in this Decree - the Branch Act . With the exceptions contained in Section 17 (5) - shall be applied accordingly.
[...]
§ 4. 
(1) The acquisition of real estate - with theexception specified in paragraph (2) - shall be permitted if
a) does not harm the public interest and the interest of the local government,
b) the applicant is a member of a sole proprietor or sole proprietorship according to the law on sole proprietors and sole proprietorships and wishes to carry out economic activity in Hungary, the real estate to be acquired is necessary to continue this economic activity, ,
c) the identity of the foreign natural person or the foreign legal person . the identity of its branch or commercial agency within the meaning of Article 1 can be established to the satisfaction of the credit institution, and
d) the intention to transfer ownership of the property can be established. [...]
(2) The main city and county government offices to grant authorization for paragraphs (1) a) of refuse in case of fulfillment of the conditions specified in so far as the foreign nationality of the State does not provide the Hungarian citizens and Hungarian based legal persons under international agreements or reciprocity at least the same treatment as nationals, unless
(a) the purpose of the acquisition is to eliminate joint ownership; or
(b) the foreign natural person has had a registered place of residence, stay or accommodation in Hungary for at least 5 years, during which time he or she has been in an employment relationship for a total of at least 3 years. [...]
5. The reciprocity provided for in paragraph 2 shall be presumed until a different resolution is issued by the Minister responsible for foreign policy.
§ 5. 
(1) considered a violation of the public interest if the applicant is a natural person
(a) is subject to expulsion or a ban on entry and residence,
(b) is the subject of an arrest warrant,
(c) has a criminal record,
or if the prejudice to the public interest can be established for other reasons of public security, public order or public health.
(2) - (3) 
4. In the case of an applicant for a legal person, the damage to the public interest shall occur in particular where the branch or commercial agency:
(a) its tax number has been suspended or canceled by the state tax authority,
(b) is the subject of a measure restricting activity under the Law on Criminal Measures applicable to a legal person,
(c) liquidation, compulsory cancellation, or the Branch Act. is in the process of being terminated in accordance with
§ 6. [...]
(2) considered a violation of the interest of a local government if the acquisition of real estate violates the obligatory interest of the local government or the local government in the area directly managed by it in the law or the local mayor competent according to the location of the property. [...]" (Government Decree on the acquisition of property by foreigners concerning real estate not classified as agricultural or forestry land (251/2014), subsequently amended, §§ 1, 4, 5 and 6 [google translation])
Government Decree on the acquisition of property by foreigners concerning real estate not classified as agricultural or forestry land (251/2014), last amended 1 January 2021, §§ 1, 4, 5 and 6
[<a href="https://njt.hu/jogszabaly/2014-251-20-22.6">Decree</a>],[<a href="https://www.dlapiperrealworld.com/export/sites/real-world/guides/downloads/Investment_Guide_Hungary_Broucher.pdf">DLA Piper</a>],[<a href="https://www.squirepattonboggs.com/-/media/files/insights/publications/2014/10/the-acquisition-by-foreigners-of-real-property-o__/files/theacquisitionbyforeignersofrealpropertyothertha__/fileattachment/realestatetheacquisitionbyforeignersofrealproper__.pdf">Squire Patton Boggs</a>]