Family Law Services for Foreign Nationals with Ties to Hungary
Living abroad or having a cross-border family can be an
exciting experience, but it also introduces a layer of complexity when it comes
to legal matters—especially in the field of family law. If you are a foreign
national residing in Hungary, or you have family connections through a
Hungarian spouse or child, navigating Hungarian legal procedures can be
challenging without clear, professional guidance. Our family law practice is
dedicated to assisting international clients in Hungary with practical, thorough,
and discreet legal support.
We work with expatriates, mixed-nationality couples, and
foreign families who live, work, or own property in Hungary, or whose personal
lives are connected to Hungarian jurisdiction. Our services cover a wide range
of family law issues including marital agreements, inheritance, paternity
and maternity suits, dissolution of marriage, and child custody.
Marital Agreements – Protecting Assets and Clarifying Expectations
Hungarian law allows couples to regulate their financial
relationship through marital agreements (commonly referred to as prenuptial or
postnuptial agreements). These agreements are especially important for
international couples, where assets, income sources, or real estate may be
located in different countries.
A well-drafted marital agreement can:
- Define the property
regime between spouses (separate or community property), - Allocate rights and
obligations for current or future property, - Clarify how assets
should be handled in the event of divorce or death.
Hungarian marital agreements must be notarized to be legally
valid. If you or your spouse is a foreign national, special care must be taken
to ensure that the agreement is compatible with any applicable foreign law,
especially if you maintain residence or property abroad. Our team regularly
advises on cross-border marital property issues and ensures
enforceability in both Hungary and other relevant jurisdictions.
Inheritance – Planning Across Borders
Inheritance can become especially complex for families with
multinational elements. If you live in Hungary, own property here, or have a
Hungarian family member who passed away, Hungarian succession law may
apply—either in part or in full.
The European Succession Regulation (Brussels IV) governs
most cross-border inheritance cases within the EU and designates which
country’s law applies. In many cases, Hungarian law will govern the estate if
the deceased had habitual residence in Hungary.
Hungarian inheritance law distinguishes between:
- Statutory (intestate)
succession and - Testamentary succession
(based on a valid will).
We assist clients with:
- Drafting or reviewing
wills that are valid under Hungarian and international law, - Navigating the Hungarian
probate process (hagyatéki eljárás), - Understanding rights of
spouses and children, - Dealing with claims
regarding the “forced share” (similar to “reserved portion”) which
cannot be excluded by will in certain cases.
If you are a foreign
national inheriting assets in Hungary, or wish to ensure your estate is handled
correctly across borders, we provide comprehensive legal planning and
representation throughout the process.
Patrnity and Maternity Suits – Legal Parenthood in Hungary
Determining the legal parentage of a child may be necessary
for a range of reasons: establishing parental rights, securing citizenship, or
resolving issues around child support. Hungarian law permits both paternity
suits (apasági per) and maternity suits (anyasági per) under defined
legal grounds.
For foreign nationals with children born in Hungary, or
Hungarian citizens having children abroad, legal parentage may need to be
formally recognized to secure full legal rights.
Key issues include:
- Challenging or
establishing paternity when the mother is married to another man, - Judicial procedures for
biological fathers seeking recognition, - Recognition of foreign
birth certificates or surrogacy arrangements, - Implications for
citizenship and residency rights of the child.
We advise and represent parents in proceedings where the
biological link, legal parent status, or personal rights of a parent are at
stake. Our team ensures that your interests and your child’s welfare are fully
protected under Hungarian family law and relevant international norms.
Dissolution of Marriage – Divorce for International Couples
If you are a foreigner married to a Hungarian citizen, or
you married abroad and now live in Hungary, you may be able to initiate divorce
proceedings in a Hungarian court. Under EU and Hungarian law, jurisdiction
depends on where the spouses live and the nationality of the parties.
Divorce in Hungary typically involves:
- Determining the grounds
for dissolution (fault is not required), - Property division,
especially if there is no marital agreement, - Decisions about
maintenance (alimony), - Custody and visitation
if there are minor children.
International couples often face unique challenges:
- Enforcing foreign
judgments, - Dealing with property
located abroad, - Navigating differing
legal systems.
Our team of family law
and divorce lawyers guides clients through all stages of divorce
proceedings in Hungary. We focus on clarity, conflict prevention, and fair
outcomes—particularly in emotionally and legally sensitive cases involving
children or large assets.
Child Custody – Ensuring the Child’s Best Interest
Child custody is one of the most sensitive and high-stakes
areas of family law, especially when parents are of different nationalities or
live in different countries. In Hungary, child custody cases (referred to as
parental responsibility or “szülői felügyelet”) are governed by the best
interests of the child.
Types of custody arrangements in Hungary include:
- Sole custody,
- Joint custody,
- Alternating residence,
- Contact rights for the
non-custodial parent.
We assist in:
- Initial custody
determinations during divorce or separation, - Modifying existing
custody agreements, - Cross-border custody
enforcement under the Hague Convention, - Relocation issues when
one parent wants to move abroad with the child.
Our goal is always to help parents reach cooperative
solutions when possible, and to assertively represent our clients in court when
necessary. We understand the emotional burden of custody disputes and work to
protect both the child’s well-being and the parent’s rights.
Why Choose Us?
Navigating family law in a foreign country can feel overwhelming. Language barriers, cultural differences, and unfamiliar legal systems add to the stress of already difficult personal circumstances. Our firm offers international clients:
- English-speaking legal representation,
- Deep understanding of Hungarian and EU family law,
- Discreet and empathetic client service,
- Experience in cross-border litigation and negotiation.
Whether you are preparing for marriage, managing an international estate, involved in a custody matter, or considering divorce, we are here to protect your rights and guide you every step of the way.