The Hungarian order for payment, step by step: deadlines, fees, opposition and enforcement

If a customer owes you money and the debt is not in dispute, you usually do not need to start a lawsuit in Hungary. The quicker route is an order for payment (fizetési meghagyás), issued by a notary. If the debtor does not object, the order becomes final and can be enforced – without any court hearing. This article walks you through the process: when you can use it, when you must use it, what it costs, what the debtor can do, and how you get to enforcement.

1. When can you use it – and when must you?

You can use an order for payment for any money claim that is already overdue, with a few exceptions set out in the law [Act L of 2009 on the Order for Payment Procedure (“Fmhtv.”), section 3(1)]. It is not available for a debt that has not yet fallen due.

For claims up to HUF 3 million it is generally compulsory. Such a claim can only be pursued by an order for payment or by a court settlement attempt, provided that both parties have a known address for service in Hungary and the claim does not arise from employment or a similar relationship [Fmhtv. section 3(2)]. In other words, below this amount you normally cannot go straight to court.

Above HUF 30 million an order for payment is not available, so the claim must go to court [Fmhtv. section 3(3)]. Between the two thresholds you can choose. The order for payment is the better option when the claim itself is clear and the debtor is unlikely to contest it.

2. Filing the application

Applications are filed online, on a standard form, through the system of the Hungarian National Chamber of Notaries, with a qualified electronic signature and time stamp [Fmhtv. section 11(1)–(2)]. Companies and others required to communicate electronically can only file online [Fmhtv. section 11(3)].

The application must correctly identify the parties, the basis of the claim, the principal amount and any additional amounts such as default interest. Mistakes can lead to a request for corrections or to rejection, so it pays to gather the contract, invoices, proof of performance and your letter of demand before filing.

3. The notary issues the order – without checking the merits

If the application is in order, the notary issues the order without hearing the debtor: within fifteen days of receiving it, or within three working days if it was filed online [Fmhtv. section 26(1)].

The order tells the debtor to pay the claim and the costs stated in it within fifteen days of service [Fmhtv. section 27(1)(c)]. It also makes clear that the notary has not examined whether the claim is well founded [Fmhtv. section 27(1)(d)]. This is why you should check your claim carefully before filing: if the debtor objects, a court will look at the merits.

4. The debtor has fifteen days

Within fifteen days of service, the debtor may file a statement of opposition with the notary [Fmhtv. section 28(1)]. If the opposition covers only part of the order, the rest becomes final [Fmhtv. section 28(2)].

Simply asking for more time or for payment in instalments does not count as opposition, and such a request must also be made within the same fifteen days [Fmhtv. section 29(1)].

If the debtor does not oppose in time, the order becomes final and enforceable [Fmhtv. section 27(1)(d)].

5. If the debtor opposes: the case moves to court

A timely opposition turns the procedure into a court case, to the extent of the opposition [Fmhtv. section 37(1)]. The notary notifies you within eight days [Fmhtv. section 37(2)] and asks you to do two things within fifteen days: file your statement of claim with the court named in the notice, and pay the additional court fee [Fmhtv. section 37(3)].

Do not miss this deadline. If you do not file the statement of claim or pay the fee in time, the court closes the case without giving you a second chance [Fmhtv. section 37(6)]. It is therefore wise to be ready for litigation already when you apply for the order for payment.

6. What does it cost?

The notary’s fee is 3% of the claim, with a minimum of HUF 12,000 and a maximum of HUF 300,000 [Fmhtv. section 45(1)(a)]. For example:

• HUF 200,000 claim: HUF 12,000 fee (3% would be less, so the minimum applies);
• HUF 1,000,000 claim: HUF 30,000 fee;
• HUF 15,000,000 claim: HUF 300,000 fee (3% would be more, so the maximum applies).

If the case moves to court, an additional court fee is payable [Fmhtv. section 37(3)(b)]. Applying for enforcement costs a further 1%, with a minimum of HUF 12,000 and a maximum of HUF 150,000 [Fmhtv. section 55(1)]. You can estimate your costs with the fee calculator.

7. Enforcement

If the debtor still does not pay once the order is final, you can apply for enforcement. The application is decided by the notary who issued the order [Fmhtv. section 52(1)–(2)]. The writ of execution is issued electronically and sent straight to the bailiff [Fmhtv. section 53(1)]. Enforcement costs are, as a rule, advanced by the creditor and ultimately borne by the debtor [Act LIII of 1994 on Judicial Enforcement, section 34(1)].

How I can help

I check the basis, amount and limitation period of your claim, send the letter of demand, file the application for an order for payment, file the statement of claim on time if the debtor opposes and represent you in court, and apply for enforcement. Read more about letters of demand in the article Sending a lawyer’s letter of demand, about this practice area on the Debt recovery page, and about expected costs in the fee calculator.

This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Legal position as at October 2026. This English version is provided for information; in the event of any discrepancy, the Hungarian version prevails.