Hungary Company Registration | Set Up a Kft. Company in Hungary
Planning Hungary company registration to set up a company in Hungary and enter the EU market? The most common entity in Hungary is the limited liability company (Kft.). A lawyer files the registration electronically with the company registry court of the regional court, and the company is formed once registered. Non-resident individuals and legal entities can both set up a company, and foreign founders can own 100%.
The minimum capital of a limited liability company is HUF 3,000,000, the Kft. registration fee and publication fee are free, and under the simplified procedure the court decides within 1 working day. Corporate income tax is 9% and the standard VAT rate is 27%. NSS Group (戰國策集團) offers a one-stop service for setting up a company in Hungary: shareholding planning, coordinating a lawyer to draft the articles of association, document translation and certification, and company registration with the NAV tax number.
According to the 2026 NAV booklet, corporate income tax is 9% of the positive tax base, plus a local business tax of up to 2%.
According to the Hungarian courts, the registration fee and publication fee for a limited liability company are free under both the simplified and the standard procedure.
Using the Ministry of Justice template articles qualifies for the simplified procedure, and the court decides within 1 working day. The standard procedure takes 15 working days.
According to the PwC tax summary, dividends, interest and royalties paid to non-individuals are not subject to withholding tax in Hungary.
company registration?
Hungary is an EU member state with 9% corporate income tax and a local business tax of up to 2%, and dividends paid to legal entities are not subject to withholding tax. A limited liability company needs minimum capital of HUF 3,000,000, non-residents can own 100%, and registration is fully electronic. The registration fee and publication fee for a limited liability company are both free, and under the simplified procedure the court decides within 1 working day. Hungary suits companies planning an EU manufacturing, R&D or regional operations base.
in 3 steps
The most common entity in Hungary is the limited liability company. It can be set up by 1 or more members, whose liability is limited to their capital contribution. The articles of association are countersigned by a Hungarian lawyer, and within 30 days of formation the lawyer files the registration electronically with the company registry court, which also obtains a tax number from NAV.
Appointing a lawyer is mandatory to register a Hungarian company, and foreign documents must be translated and certified. After registration there are ongoing duties such as annual income tax, local business tax and publishing financial reports. NSS Group helps you plan the shareholding structure, coordinate the lawyer and prepare documents, and arranges annual maintenance, so your Hungarian company stays clear and compliant from setup to operation.
Confirm the company name, registered address, capital (at least HUF 3,000,000) and managing director. A Hungarian lawyer drafts and countersigns the articles of association using the Ministry of Justice template or custom terms; using the template qualifies for the simplified procedure. Foreign documents need a Hungarian translation and certification.
Pay in the cash contribution as set out in the articles, open a company bank account and obtain proof of payment. The articles can allow part of the cash contribution to remain unpaid at registration, but it must be paid in full by the end of the second full business year after registration.
Within 30 days of formation, the lawyer files electronically with the company registry court of the regional court, which obtains the tax number from NAV through a one-stop process. The Kft. registration fee and publication fee are free, and the court decides within 1 working day under the simplified procedure or 15 working days under the standard procedure.
service
- Company name search and reservation
- Preparation and filing of registration documents
- Drafting of governing documents
- Collection of the registration certificate
- Hungarian bank account opening documents and process advice
- Account opening document preparation
- Appointment booking and accompaniment
- Post-opening support
- Registered address
- Company secretary appointment
- Annual filing services
- Document custody and management
- Bookkeeping
- Tax filing and planning
- Financial statement preparation
- Audit arrangement
- Trademark search and assessment
- Trademark application filing
- Trademark maintenance and renewal
- Infringement protection advice
- Company change filings
- Share transfer support
- Company deregistration
- Legal advisory support
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- Entity type and shareholding structure assessment
- Coordinating a Hungarian lawyer to draft and countersign the articles
- Translation and certification of foreign shareholder documents
- Electronic filing with the company registry court and NAV tax number
- VAT registration and annual income tax and financial report reminders
Official fees: limited liability company registration fee and publication fee are free (simplified and standard procedure); lawyer’s fees, translation and certification, and bookkeeping are quoted. Free assessment and written quote for service fees
Hungary company registration at a glance
These are the points people ask about most when registering a company in Hungary, checked against official notices (updated November 2026).
| Entity type | Limited liability company (Kft.) |
|---|---|
| Registry | Company registry court of the regional court (Cégbíróság) |
| Foreign ownership | 100% allowed |
| Minimum capital | HUF 3,000,000 |
| Corporate income tax | 9%, plus local business tax of up to 2% |
| VAT | Standard rate 27% |
| Setup time | Simplified procedure 1 working day, standard 15 working days |
| Annual filing | Corporate income tax return by May 31 of the following year |
| Who can help | NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw), free assessment and written quote |
Hungary company formation cost: fee breakdown
When you register a company in Hungary, the court registration fee and publication fee for a limited liability company are both free. The main costs are the capital, the lawyer's fees and document translation and certification. The fees published by the Hungarian courts are listed below so you can check each line when you compare quotes.
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Company registration fee (Kft.) | Free | Not charged under either the simplified or the standard procedure, according to the Hungarian courts. |
| Company registration publication fee (Kft.) | Free | Not charged under either the simplified or the standard procedure. |
| Lawyer's fees | Quoted by the lawyer | Appointing a lawyer is mandatory for company registration; lawyer's fees are usually lower for the simplified procedure. |
| Minimum capital | HUF 3,000,000 | Each member's contribution must be at least HUF 100,000. The capital is a company asset, not a fee. |
| Bookkeeping and annual filing | Quoted on volume | A company with a calendar financial year files its corporate income tax return by May 31 of the following year, and the annual financial report is published through the electronic reporting portal. |
| NSS Group advisory fee | Written quote after a free assessment | Based on shareholder structure, type of articles, document certification needs and home-country tax planning. Every item is listed, with no hidden fees. |
Fees are based on the Hungarian courts' notice "A cégbejegyzési kérelem benyújtása", and the capital rules on Section 3:161 of the Hungarian Civil Code. The latest official notices prevail.
Hungary company tax and compliance: 9% income tax and annual filing
A Hungarian company mainly pays corporate income tax, local business tax and VAT. A company with a calendar financial year files its corporate income tax return by May 31 each year and publishes its annual financial report. Shareholders should also check any tax treaty between Hungary and their home country, and their home country's controlled foreign company (CFC) rules.
| Item | Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate income tax | 9% | According to the NAV booklet of February 2026, the rate is 9% of the positive tax base. |
| Local business tax | Up to 2% | The rate for permanent business activity is set by each local government, capped at 2% of the tax base. |
| VAT | Standard rate 27% | Certain goods and services are taxed at 18%, 5% or 0%; a business with annual sales of no more than HUF 20,000,000 can apply for the small business exemption. |
| Dividend withholding | 0% for corporate shareholders | According to the PwC tax summary, dividends, interest and royalties paid to non-individuals are not subject to withholding tax. |
| Annual corporate income tax return | By May 31 of the following year | A company with a calendar financial year files form 29 and pays any tax not covered by advance payments. |
| Annual financial report | Filed and published electronically | Filed through the Ministry of Justice electronic reporting portal; the filing date is the publication date. |
Rates and deadlines are based on the 2026 NAV booklets, EUGO and the Ministry of Justice electronic reporting portal; some withholding rates come from the PwC tax summary (secondary source). Ask an accountant to assess your structure.
Kft., Zrt. or branch: which Hungarian entity should you choose?
When foreign companies set up a company in Hungary, they most often compare a new limited liability company (Kft.), a private limited company (Zrt.), or a branch of the foreign parent company.
| Item | Limited liability company (Kft.) | Private limited company (Zrt.) | Branch of a foreign company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Separate legal entity | Separate legal entity | Not a separate legal entity; part of the foreign parent company |
| Minimum capital | HUF 3,000,000 | HUF 5,000,000 | Ask our consultants |
| Registration fee | Free under both procedures | Simplified HUF 50,000, standard HUF 100,000 | Ask our consultants |
| Court decision deadline | Simplified 1 working day, standard 15 working days | Simplified 1 working day, standard 15 working days | Ask our consultants |
| Member liability | Limited to the capital contribution | Limited to the shares | Borne by the foreign parent company |
These are general principles. Choose based on the shareholders' background, business model and tax planning.
What foreign founders should know about setting up a company in Hungary
- Lawyer required: company registration in Hungary requires an appointed lawyer, who countersigns the formation documents and files them electronically. Foreign shareholders' certificates of registration and identity documents usually need a Hungarian translation and certification, so allow time to have documents certified in your home country.
- Residence and work: setting up a company or acting as managing director does not give you the right to live or work in Hungary. A long-term posting needs a separate permit under Hungary's immigration rules.
- Tax treaties: check whether your home country has an income tax treaty with Hungary and how it treats dividends, interest and royalties. Under domestic rules, dividends, interest and royalties paid to non-individuals are not subject to withholding tax.
- Home-country rules: check whether your home country requires approval or a filing for outbound investment, and how its controlled foreign company (CFC) rules apply to a Hungarian subsidiary that does not meet substance tests.
- Licensed activities: finance, insurance and capital markets businesses need a permit from the Hungarian authority before the company is set up, and other licensed activities can start only after the permit is granted. Confirm this when you plan your business scope.
Why work with NSS Group on Hungary company registration?
NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw) is a Taiwan-based global company registration and business advisory brand with more than 25 years of experience and over 30,000 companies served. We provide company setup, bank account opening, accounting and tax, and annual maintenance in Hungary and many other countries and regions, and we can coordinate a Hungarian lawyer to countersign the articles and file the electronic registration. We give you a free assessment and a written quote. Call our toll-free line 0800-003-191 or use the form on this page.
Further reading
Sources: Hungarian courts: A cégbejegyzési kérelem benyújtása (company registration application, fees and deadlines); Hungarian National Legislation Database: Act V of 2013 (Civil Code); Embassy of Hungary in Doha: Step-by-step guide for getting started in Hungary; NAV Booklet No. 41: Key rules of the taxation of business associations (2026-02-02); NAV Booklet No. 14: Useful information for beginner VAT taxpayers (2026-01-22); EUGO, Hungary's point of single contact: Taxation; Ministry of Justice electronic reporting portal: Közzétételről szóló tájékoztatás; PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Hungary Withholding taxes (reviewed 2026-07-01); Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency (HIPA). The latest official notices prevail. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.
How much does it cost to set up a company in Hungary in 2026?
According to the Hungarian courts, the registration fee and publication fee for a limited liability company (Kft.) are free under both the simplified and the standard procedure. The main costs are the minimum capital of HUF 3,000,000, the fees of the lawyer you must appoint, document translation and certification, and ongoing bookkeeping, all quoted case by case.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a Hungarian company?
Yes. According to Hungary’s embassy website, non-resident individuals and legal entities can set up a company in Hungary, and a limited liability company can have just 1 member, so a foreign founder can hold all of the capital. Certain activities such as finance, insurance and capital markets need a permit from the authority before the company is set up, and other licensed activities can start only once the permit is granted.
How long does company registration take in Hungary?
According to the Hungarian courts, the company registry court must decide within 1 working day under the simplified procedure, which uses the Ministry of Justice template articles. The standard procedure takes 15 working days. If the tax authority NAV needs more time to issue the tax number, the procedure can be suspended, so the actual timeline depends on document preparation and any requests for more information.
Do I need to be in Hungary to set up a company?
According to the Hungarian courts, only the appointed lawyer can file the registration application, electronically, with the company registry court, so shareholders do not need to go to the court. The formation documents must be countersigned by a Hungarian lawyer. Ask the appointed lawyer how signing works and whether you need to be present. Whether you must attend in person to open a company bank account depends on each bank.
What taxes and annual filings does a Hungarian company have?
Corporate income tax is 9%, plus a local business tax of up to 2%. The standard VAT rate is 27%, and a business with annual sales of no more than HUF 20,000,000 can apply for the small business exemption. A company with a calendar financial year files its annual corporate income tax return by May 31 of the following year, and the annual financial report is filed and published through the Ministry of Justice electronic reporting portal.
Who can help me register a company in Hungary?
NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw) can help. NSS Group has more than 25 years of experience and has served over 30,000 companies. Our one-stop Hungary company registration service covers shareholding structure assessment, coordinating a lawyer to draft the articles, document translation and certification, and company registration with the NAV tax number. We give you a free assessment and a written quote. Call our toll-free line 0800-003-191.