Once you set up your Hungarian company, you will be able to take care of most administrative tasks online. Hungarian administration is highly digitalized, making business operation more transparent. Read on to get familiar with the tools for online administration in Hungary.
Tools for online administration in Hungary
While operating a Hungarian company, you will probably need to get familiar with the following platforms (more on each below):
- Ügyfélkapu (the “Client Gate”): a single access point for most governmental services for natural persons (lets you apply for documents and pay your taxes)
- Cégkapu (the “Company Gate”): same for companies
- EnterHungary: in case you want Hungarian residency, you will be able to submit documents here
- e-Cégjegyzék (electronic company registry): openly accessible database of every company currently or previously active in Hungary
- Online banking: each bank has its own platform, so you can access your bank accounts wherever you are in the world
To get access to the Ügyfélkapu, you will need to visit a Hungarian government office or consulate to get registered, while online banking will become available to you once you have opened your corporate bank account. The rest of the above platforms are available without getting registered in person.
Gateways to electronic administration: Ügyfélkapu and Cégkapu
Ügyfélkapu or the Client Gate is a tool for natural persons to access online administration including the platforms of the Tax Authority, the National Health Insurance Fund, and even some utility providers. As a company owner, you will need to get registered first for Ügyfélkapu before you can register your Hungarian company at Cégkapu, the Company Gate, where you and your Hungarian accountant will be able receive official mail (similar to what happens at your registered seat) and submit reports on behalf of your company.
Even if you do not intend to use the Ügyfélkapu for other purposes, you need it to register for the Cégkapu, which in turn is essential for Hungarian company operation.
Once you are registered, you will need to grant your accountant access to your Cégkapu so they can submit reports on behalf of your Hungarian business.
Ügyfélkapu registration is available for every natural person: you do not have to be a resident or a citizen. You just need to make an appointment at a government office or at a consulate. You will be required to use two-factor authentication which is called Ügyfélkapu+; it is best to have an authenticator app on your phone that will generate the codes necessary for login. There is also an app called DÁP that allows easy access to official administration, but for now it is available only to those who have a plastic address card, meaning permanent residents and EEA nationals.
When you come to Hungary to set up your business, one of our assistants can accompany you to a government office to help you take care of registration.
EnterHungary for residency application
If you are interested in Hungarian residency, you will need a registration for EnterHungary, the platform operated by the Immigration Office. In case you enlist our services, we will take care of the entire residency application procedure for you.
e-Cégjegyzék, the online company registry
When your company is registered, it will automatically be listed in the online company registry available at e-cegjegyzek.hu. This way your partners can easily confirm that your Hungarian business is operational. In turn, you can also check your partners (or partners to be) to see if their business is valid. If a business is under liquidation or already closed, that will also be indicated here.
Online banking
Bank account opening requires an in-person meeting; at most banks, a remote procedure is currently only available to Hungarian citizens. Banks normally offer remote access to their services, so once your bank account is set up, you will immediately get access to online administration for your finances though a dedicated app or a website (or usually, both).
Please note: to open a corporate bank account, you will need to demonstrate that you will be running a viable business. This can be done by producing various documents, such as contracts for virtual office or physical office providers, or precontracts or contracts with local partners. Having Hungarian residency is also a major factor.
Helpers at your service
Helpers Hungary offers comprehensive assistance with company setup in Hungary. Our services include not only registration, but also everything else that is required for smooth and compliant business operation, such as registered seat with virtual office, accounting, bank account opening, and registration for platforms for online administration, such as the Client Gate and the Company gate.
Ready to start your Hungarian business? Helpers has 20 years of experience and a team of 20+ experts ready to make your Hungarian business idea a reality.
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