EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES
READY TO GET STARTED? ARE YOU READY? DO YOU HAVE ALL THE PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION REQUIREMENTS TO REGISTER TO OBTAIN A LICENCE FOR IT? LET'S GET STARTED.
BROWSE THROUGH THIS GUIDE, AND BY THE END, YOU WILL KNOW WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION QUALIFICATION CRITERIA, AND WHAT YOU NEED TO DO, WHERE YOU NEED TO GO, AND HOW TO GET THINGS DONE SO THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY RECEIVE GUESTS IN YOUR APARTMENT.
Important:
In this guide, we have collected all general information about the inevitable initial steps of private accommodation qualification which is worth knowing before starting the location-specific accommodation licencing process for the establishment of a private accommodation. You have to follow these steps in any case.
Now, as a second step, we have collected the details of the additional licencing process in accordance with the specific local regulations on providing accommodation services in Budapest District V, taking into account the local government rules and procedures as well as any other information related to the private accommodation licencing procedure in the district.
LET’S GO THROUGH THE STEPS ONE BY ONE☺
I have completed all the initial steps, and I have the accommodation qualification documents. What should I do next?
The accommodation regulations in Budapest’s District 5 determine what percentage of real estate can be reserved for short-term rental in each residential building.
‘Pursuant to Paragraph 3 of Section 75 of Local Government Decree no. 6/2020 (I.30.) on the Building Regulations of the Inner City – Leopold Town District, in case of construction zones which include an institution-dominant, mixed city centre area, within existing residential buildings, the number of building units considered as other accommodations or private accommodations shall not exceed 5% of the total number of building units, excluding those buildings which also operate as hotels.’
‘Pursuant to Paragraph 4 of Section 76, in case of construction zones which include a residential-dominant, mixed city centre area, within residential buildings, the number of building units considered as other accommodations or private accommodations shall not exceed 5% of the total number of building units.’
1. Where should I go, who should I look for, what are their contact details?
The Local Government of Budapest’s District 5 has a two-stage accommodation licencing procedure.
1. In the case of all types of accommodations, a townscape-related procedure must be conducted first, during which the Construction and Engineering Department determines with a 15-day administrative deadline whether your real estate you want to use for short-term purposes complies with the regulations of District 5.
You can find the relevant decrees and legislation here.
Its postal address: H-1051 Budapest, Erzsébet tér 4.
Its e-mail address: hivatal@belvaros-lipotvaros.hu
Its telephone number: + 36 1 872 7252
Official gateway: BUD05 (POLGÁRMESTERI HIVATAL); BUD05ONK(ÖNKORMÁNYZAT)
Opening hours:
Monday: 08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday 8:00 - 16:00
Wednesday: 8:00 - 16:30
Thursday: 08:00 - 16:00
Friday: 08:00 - 12:30
The contact information of the administrators can be found here, at the bottom of the page.
2. After the townscape-related procedure has been conducted, you must declare your accommodation service to the Department of Industry and Commerce.
Its postal address: H-1051 Budapest, Erzsébet tér 4.
Its e-mail address: hivatal@belvaros-lipotvaros.hu
Its telephone number: + 36 1 872 7252; + 36 1 872 7413; +36 1 872 7342; +36 1 872 7344; +36 1 872 7346
The contact information of the administrators can be found here, at the bottom of the page.
2. Private accommodation requirements: What do I have to submit, which interface do I have to use, and where can I find it?
The legally regulated procedure varies according to whether you act as a natural person or a firm.
If you act as a firm, keep this in mind:
‘Act CCXXII of 2015 on the General Rules of Electronic Administration and Trust Services for Business Organisations and Government Decree 451/2016 (XII. 19.) on the Detailed Rules of Electronic Administration makes electronic administration mandatory, therefore, companies and sole proprietors can only initiate procedures electronically.’
As a natural person, you can act electronically, by post, or in person. In case of electronic submission, the Local Government will also stay in contact with you electronically during the procedure.
For the townscape-related procedure to be conducted, you have to submit the document titled ‘Activities Subject to the Townscape-Related Notification Procedure’, which is Annex no. 9 of Local Government Decree no. 5/2020 (I.30.):
- via the Local E-Government Portal
- via e-paper at www.epapir.gov.hu;
- as a paper-based form to be submitted by post or in person
Before providing private accommodation services, you have to submit the document titled Registering Private Accommodations for the Provision of Accommodation Services, which is available at:
- via the Local E-Government Portal
- via e-paper at www.epapir.gov.hu;
- as a paper-based form to be submitted by post or in person
You must attach the following documents to your application, from which we have highlighted the mandatory ones:
- townscape decision;
- in case of accommodation not owned by the applicant, a document confirming the right to use the accommodation or a copy thereof, with the exception of the title deed;
- in case of usufruct – if the accommodation provider is not the owner or the usufructuary – a document certifying the consent of the usufructuary;
- in case of jointly owned accommodation, if not all joint owners are accommodation providers, a document certifying the consent of the joint owners;
- floor layout plan (the scaled floor plan of the real estate indicating the dimensions for each room; in case of single airspace premises, indicate the area that is used as room, or the loft, if there is one);
- floor plan;
- a document certifying the existence of the accommodation management software;
- the qualification document issued by the accommodation qualifying organisation;
- specimen signature (in case of housing associations, associations with no tax registration number, or foundations);
- if it is an authorised party who acts, a document proving their powers of representation, if the Register of Provisions does not contain this document.
NOTE:
YOU SHOULD SUBMIT THE APPLICATION TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ONLY IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A VALID TAX NUMBER AND STATISTICAL CODE (IF YOU ARE A SOLE PROPRIETOR).
3. Fees, deadlines
Pursuant to the legal regulations, the certificate is issued within 8 days of the submission, and the registration takes place within 15 days in case of submitting a complete application. After this has been done, your accommodation will be included in the public register.
The procedure is free of charge.
NOTE:
PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION OPERATION SERVICE CAN ONLY BE PROVIDED IN ACCOMMODATIONS THAT MEET THE QUALITY, TECHNICAL, AND SERVICE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACCOMMODATION TYPE TO WHICH THE GIVEN ACCOMMODATION BELONGS.
4. Reporting obligations
Remember that you have an obligation to report guest traffic to the local government. By 31 January of the year following the current year, you must provide aggregated data in writing on the number of guests received and the number of nights spent by the guests at the accommodation, broken down by guests residing in Hungary and those not residing in Hungary.
5. Additional information
We would like to draw your attention to the fact that if there are changes to your data or if your accommodation ceases to exist, you must notify the local government within 8 days.
In the event of an unfavourable decision, you are entitled to seek legal remedy at the Government Office of the Capital City Budapest, which you can also read about in detail at the link above.
6. Applicable legislation
➤ Government Decree No. 239/2009 (X. 20.) on the Detailed Conditions for the Provision of Accommodation Services and the Procedure for the Issuance of Accommodation Operation Licenses
➤ Government Decree No. 173/2003 (X. 28.) on Non-Commercial, Community Recreational Accommodation Services
➤ Act CLXIV of 2005 on Trade
➤ Act LXXVI of 2009 on the General Rules for Starting and Pursuing Service Activities
➤ Act CL of 2016 on General Public Administration Procedures
➤ Act CCXXII of 2015 on the General Rules of Electronic Administration and Trust Services
➤ Government Decree No 451/2016 (XII. 19.) on the Detailed Rules of Electronic Administration
➤ Act CLVI of 2016 on the State’s Responsibilities Regarding the Development of Tourism Regions
➤ Government Decree 235/2019 (X. 15.) on the Implementation of the Act on the State’s Responsibilities Regarding the Development of Tourism Regions
➤ Act CXXV of 2018 on Government Administration
➤ Act I of 2017 on the Code of Administrative Court Procedure
➤ Act XCIII of 1990 on Duties
➤ Government Decree No. 469/2017 (XII. 28.) on the Costs of Proceedings, the Reimbursement of Costs Related to the Inspection of Files, the Payment of Costs, and Legal Aid
➤ Act CLXXXIX of 2011 on Local Governments in Hungary
