No. Squatting is illegal in Hungary under the Criminal Code (Act C of 2012, §320), criminalizing unauthorized occupation of property. The 2026 amendments to the Code of Civil Procedure (Act CXXX of 2016) further streamline eviction procedures for unlawful occupiers, requiring courts to issue rulings within 30 days. Police and local authorities (e.g., önkormányzat municipal enforcement units) enforce evictions under §175 of the Code, with penalties including fines up to 500,000 HUF or imprisonment for repeat offenses.
Key Regulations for Squatting in Hungary
- Criminalization: §320 of the Criminal Code classifies squatting as a misdemeanor, punishable by fines or up to 2 years’ imprisonment if the property is residential.
- Civil Liability: Under §175 of the Code of Civil Procedure, property owners may seek expedited eviction orders without prior notice to squatters, enforced by bailiffs (végrehajtó) within 15 days.
- Local Enforcement: Municipalities (önkormányzat) must coordinate with police to prevent squatting on public land, as per Act LXIV of 2017 on local government tasks. Failure to act may result in liability for negligence.
Recent 2026 reforms prioritize digital land registry checks (INGATLAN-3) to flag vacant properties, reducing squatting opportunities. Owners must report unauthorized occupation within 48 hours to trigger police intervention under §175/A. Ignoring these steps voids claims for damages against squatters.