The amendment introduces the concept of the planning base map. A planning base map is a digital map representation that provides the geometric basis for construction and architectural planning and is prepared using the cartographic database of the land registry. The introduction of this concept is significant because the map will no longer be a simple “site plan”, but rather a document with legally defined mandatory content.

What does the setting out of the property boundary mean in practice? The boundaries of the land parcel must be set out, and the planning base map must then be prepared using the data obtained from this setting-out process, including the delineated property boundary.

In addition, the regulation specifies further elements that must be included in the planning base map, such as the land registry map status, boundary lines, surface features, structures, trees, and objects related to public roads. The legislation also defines in detail the mandatory content of the technical description accompanying the base map. As a result, the planning base map becomes a document regulated in detail by law.

It is also important to note that the setting out of land parcel boundaries is not merely a technical step. The affected neighbouring property owners must be notified; in the event of a dispute, consultation is required, and if no agreement is reached, the procedure may easily be prolonged. A single uncertain or disputed boundary line may be sufficient to delay the planning process for a considerable period of time.

Moreover, under the new rules, the preparation of the planning base map involves activities requiring two different professional authorisations: a chamber-based engineering authorisation and a land registry–related (authority-based) surveying authorisation. As a result, the selection of the appropriate professional or professionals requires the consideration of new compliance criteria.

A positive aspect of the new regulation is that the rules on setting out property boundaries apply uniformly to everyone. Accordingly, neighbouring property owners will also no longer be able to build “freely”; their construction activities must likewise comply with the new, stricter requirements.

Exceptions – When is a new property boundary setting-out not required? A new setting-out is not required if the property boundary was already set out previously, the documentation of that setting-out is available, the boundary markers established at that time can still be found on site, and the content of the land registry with respect to the boundary line has not changed since the setting-out. A new setting-out may be omitted only if all of these conditions are met simultaneously.

In our previous article titled “Significant Changes in Consumer Protection in 2026”, we presented the significant changes that the relevant Government Decree will bring to consumer protection this year. In this article, we present in more detail what webshops and consumers can expect in relation to the “online withdrawal function” already outlined there.

In this article, we present Directive (EU) 2023/970 of the European Parliament and of the Council (10 May 2023) on strengthening the application of the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value between men and women through pay transparency and enforcement mechanisms, as well as the expected related changes in Hungary.

The secure and prudent operation of the financial sector is inconceivable without combating money laundering and terrorist financing (abbreviated in English as AML/CFT). This objective is served by the latest Recommendation No. 1/2026 (II.24.) of the Magyar Nemzeti Bank (MNB), which sets out in detail the duties, responsibilities, and related internal procedures of officers working in this field.

Although the topic is highly complex from both a legal and professional perspective, this article summarizes, in an accessible manner, the most important changes and expectations, which primarily affect credit institutions and financial service providers. The purpose of the recommendation is to make the application of the law more predictable and to standardize expectations across domestic financial institutions.

Several amendments to the Civil Code entered into force on 1 March 2026. The need for these amendments arose from the demand to address practical problems identified on the basis of the practical experience gained in the application of the law over more than ten years since its adoption. The amendments rely on the results of the working group analysing the experiences of civil adjudication. In this article we present the most important amendments to the Civil Code.

As of 1 March 2026, a significant amendment has entered into force in Hungarian real estate law affecting condominium developments: the legislator has introduced a new legal institution, the Condominium Right of Improvement (társasházi építményi jog).

The new regime was enacted, inter alia, through amendments to Act CXXXIII of 2003 on Condominiums and Act C of 2021 on the Real Estate Registry. Its purpose is to provide a more structured and secure legal framework for purchasers in condominium projects under construction.

In this article we summarise the practical implications of the Condominium Right of Improvement for developers, purchasers and financing institutions.