Oppenheim has advised MagNet Bank on the acquisition of a controlling participation in Polgari Bank. Gardos, Mosonyi, Tomori advised the sellers.

Diverse trends, selective focuses and energy-efficient solutions will define the real estate market in 2025, according to DLA Piper Hungary's annual real estate intelligence report. Here is a summary of some of the key trends featured in the Hungarian Real Estate Intelligence Report. 

Countries in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region have set ambitious targets to increase the share of renewable energy sources. However, in many cases, there remains a significant gap between planned objectives and the actual installed energy generation capacities. Support schemes implemented in various countries—such as CAPEX subsidies—are increasingly making the sector attractive to investors, which in turn stimulates mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity. The growing reliance on weather-dependent renewable electricity generation is also driving substantial investment demand in energy storage. Additionally, the region is seeing a rise in R+D projects focused on small modular reactors (SMRs) and alternative fuels, while the Li-ion battery recycling market is expected to experience explosive growth.

Schoenherr has advised Schott Hungary on four EPC projects with Strabag, Weinberg, and Szarnyas related to the construction of new production facilities called Bau5, Bau6, Bau9, and Bau10. 

“To comply with the cybersecurity requirements of the NIS2 directive, affected businesses may get an additional six months to prepare,” announced the Supervisory Authority for Regulatory Affairs of Hungary (SZTFH) in a statement on 5 May 2025.

On 26 May 2025, the Hungarian Government published Government Decree 110/2025. (V. 26.) (the Decree), introducing a mandatory centralised inventory management regime for medical consumables used by public healthcare institutions. The Decree amends the regulatory framework under:

HR sci-fi is unfolding before our eyes: there is no doubt that HR technologies represent one of the fastest-evolving segments of digitalization and artificial intelligence. Today, it’s entirely common for candidates to be interviewed by AI chatbots, payroll processes to be assisted by AI-based software, and predictive analytics powered by AI to be used in workforce planning. While progress cannot be halted, it's essential to pay close attention to legal compliance requirements during this hyperspace-speed transformation—otherwise, poorly executed digitalization could lead to serious headaches.

Schoenherr has advised Bell Food Group on the sale of its Eisberg business units in Poland, Romania, and Hungary to Green Factory.

According to Jalsovszky Partner Tamas Feher, white-collar crime and commercial litigation have been the key growth areas for the firm's Dispute Resolution Practice over the past year, driven by shifts in tax authority behavior, legislative changes, and a more cautious business climate.

New amendments were implemented to the Hungarian Competition Act in 2024 and early 2025. Merger control proceedings increased by almost a third in 2024 compared to the previous year. The enforcement activity of the Hungarian Competition Authority (HCA) was also noteworthy, with the Hungarian watchdog imposing more fines for competition infringements than in the previous year, especially in cartel cases. In this article we explore recent legislative changes and enforcement trends, while highlighting what companies can expect for the rest of 2025.

In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. This time around, we asked: For 2025, what is the one sector or industry in the country that shows the most promise for growth, and why?

Kinstellar has advised BYD on its acquisition of the IP West office building in Budapest from CA Immo. Cerha Hempel advised CA Immo.

Madirazza & Partners has advised Abris Capital-backed Dental Holding on its acquisition of Sanitaria Dental and SCL Logistika in Croatia, and Sanitaria in Hungary. DLA Piper reportedly advised Dental Holding as well.

The new Real Estate Registration Act that came into effect in January restructured the system for registering properties purchased in installments or subject to conditions, and introduced the so-called buyer's right. However, since January, there has been considerable debate regarding whether the buyer's right can be registered on properties involved in bank financing (and therefore under alienation and encumbrance prohibition). A recently enacted amendment to the law, however, resolves this issue.

Hungary’s real estate sector remains strong despite regulatory changes and delays in digital systems, according to Ban, S. Szabo, Rausch & Partners Partner David Kiss. Industrial projects and planned infrastructure around the nationalized airport may boost the economy, though growth is uncertain amid frozen EU funds.

In Hungary, foreign currency-based loan contracts became popular in 2006, as they were available at significantly lower interest rates than their forint-based counterparts. However, during the 2008 financial crisis in Hungary, debtors who had previously signed a foreign currency loan contract (most typical case was the Swiss franc loan), found themselves in an extremely difficult situation, due to exchange rate fluctuations and the crisis. Many families' repayments have tripled, leading to mass foreclosures.

Schoenherr has advised the Hungarian subsidiary of Bonduelle on its lease agreement with GTC for their new office in Budapest.