Client testimonial

Helpers lives up to their name. They are truly helpful and customer-focused. I have used their services on numerous occasions and have always been satisfied that I got value for money. If you have a problem to solve I would highly recommend talking to them.

David Newman Subsidiary Director
Budapest Airport

Blog/News

Start looking at properties for your Hungarian golden visa now

The application period for the Hungarian golden visa program starts only in July 2024, but you can and should already start looking for residential real estate in Hungary.

Property sale in Hungary: How to sell your apartment as an expat?

To sell your Hungarian apartment, you will need a lawyer to create the contract between you and your buyer and to submit it to the land registry. You might also be required to pay a 15% personal income tax after the deal – however, this property sale tax might be reduced to zero in various cases.

Useful Tips

On December 15, 2015, the National Assembly lowered the VAT rate for new dwelling units to 5% from the previous 27%, in a further attempt to boost the property market.

Property investment

Helpers is more than real estate agency – our job is to represent our clients’ interest and find them the best possible deals, whether through our partner agents or through our extensive network. We focus on selected and pre-evaluated, often unlisted “insider” opportunities that you will not find anywhere else. Whether you are an acquisition agent searching for the perfect premises, or looking to buy an apartment in Budapest for your family, Helpers is here to assist you through every step of the process.

The Hungarian real estate market

Hungary and especially Budapest has experienced a real estate price boom in the last few years. Prices increased by 60%, and average property prices in Budapest are around EUR 2,500 per square meter. This makes Budapest’s real estate market a relative bargain compared to e.g. Prague or Vienna, comparable to those in Krakow (Poland), Belgrade (Serbia), or Zagreb (Croatia). The price increase is currently slowing down, which makes this a good time for property investment, whether you are looking for accommodation or a business opportunity.

Investment opportunities

In our portfolio, we have included apartments, houses, villas and a wide range of residential real estate, as well as commercial properties (offices, buildings, hotels and restaurants) exclusively selected from the biggest agency portfolios and other sources available to us through our extensive network.

Property management

Owning a property abroad can be tricky business, especially if you are not living in Hungary full-time. Don’t worry: our property management services are tailored to foreign home-owners and investors, and can turn your property ownership in Hungary into pleasant and trouble-free experience for you.

Pricing

Investment in residential or commercial property

When buying an apartment, a house, or any kind of commercial building through Helpers, you can rest assured that you will find a good match in no time. To start the property search, we ask for an advance fee, deductible from the success fee due after you make the purchase.

Your costs will be made up of the following:

  • Property search advance fee: EUR 800 (+VAT if applicable), which covers a consultation about your requirements and your best options, our team selecting the properties that best match your query, and reviewing the selection together with a colleague (in person if you are in Budapest)
  • Success fee for residential property (payable only if a deal is finalized): 0.5-1.5% of the purchase price minus the advance fee (+VAT if applicable)
  • Success fee for commercial property (payable only if a deal is finalized): 0.5-2% of the investment minus the advance fee (+VAT if applicable)
  • Legal fees: max. 1% of the investment (+VAT if applicable), which covers the preparation of the contract, the transfer of ownership, and the registration of the property under your name
  • Registration tax: 4% of the investment, collected by the Hungarian Tax Authority
  • For non-EU citizens a purchase license is required before the sale can be approved by the state: EUR 200 (+VAT if applicable)

Property management

Whether you want to rent out your apartment (either short or long term) or use it only when you are in Hungary, with our management, this will not result in any wear and tear.

Long term rentals

Price: 16% of the monthly rental fee, at least EUR 60 (+VAT) / month.

Includes:

  • Periodic check-ups of the property
  • Picking up mail
  • Notifying you of any broken appliances or other required repairs
  • Collecting rent from the tenant
  • Paying the bills
  • Representing you at building assemblies
  • Serving as a general contact and keyholder for your property

Additional services:

  • Arranging repairs at the property: priced individually

Short term rentals

Ask for an individual quote.

Want to sell your apartment?

In case you are planning to sell your property in Budapest, let us know. We will include it in our portfolio we show our clients interested in property purchase, so you can more easily find a reliable buyer.

FAQs

There are various issues to consider, including taxation, but we can help you calculate the costs for each option – you can buy as an individual, set up a Hungarian holding company, or (if the property is currently owned by a company) buy the current corporate owner. Discuss these options with us in advance, so you can make an informed decision!

If you are from outside the EU, you will need a permit for buying property in Hungary – but don’t worry, we will acquire this licence for you as part of our real estate service.

Since we are not a real estate agency, our sole interest lies in finding you the best deal (rather than trying to sell a particular property), so we are more than happy to help figure out the best option for you!

Ask for a Quote

If you give us some details about your requirements, we will be happy to provide you with some choices from our portfolio and to make some preliminary cost calculations. Please fill in our form!

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