Our team of specialists in company formation in Hungary can assist investors in the process of acquiring a shelf company. This is an advantageous option for those who want to bypass the process of company registration in Hungary and who want to start their business operations as soon as possible.
Table of Contents
What is a shelf company?
A shelf company in Hungary is an excellent option for foreign investors who do not want to register a new company in Hungary. These companies have already been incorporated but have been left dormant, meaning that they have no commercial activities but have all the incorporation documents in order.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Legal entities available for shelf company | limited liability company |
Time required for purchasing the company | Basic purchase procedure can last one day, but the full registration process can take 8-15 days. |
Types of features it includes (corporate bank account, VAT number, etc) | Already registered with the Court Register, no previous business activity, it has a registered office, corporate bank account, registered with the tax authorities, has a VAT number. |
| The advantages of a shelf company | It can start its operations very fast, the new shareholders can make various adjustments (change the company's name, the directors, the object of activity), aged shelf companies are also available, has the same tax treatment as other local businesses. |
| Appointing new directors (yes/no) | Yes |
| Capital increase allowed (yes/no) | Yes |
| Certificate of no commercial activities (yes/no) | Yes |
| Modify the objects of activity (yes/no) | Yes |
| Participants in the purchase procedure | The procedure can be completed by company formation specialists, the new shareholders are not required to be present during the procedure unless they want to. |
| The cost of buying a shelf company | EUR 1,500 – EUR 4,000, depending on the characteristics of the company and its age. |
| Shelf company – definition | A shelf company refers to a legal entity that has been incorporated and benefits from the main registration characteristics of all companies, and which was incorporated for the purpose of being sold to a third party. |
Transfer of ownership | The transfer of ownership of shelf companies in Hungary is done through the purchase agreement. |
Capital requirements | There aren’t any capital requiremens, as the company already has the minimum capital subscribed in a bank account. |
| Institution in charge with the registration of the new owner | The Hungarian Court of Registration |
| Due diligence | When buying shelf companies in Hungary, it is necessary to verify the documentation concerning its activities, debts, owners and any other financial matters. |
| Obligations after the corporate changes are made | The new owner has to report any changes to the Hungarian Court of Registration. |
| Tax obligations of a shelf company | Shelf companies are liable to the payment of the same taxes charged to any other commercial company. |
| Can shelf companies qualify for tax incentives and other benefits? | Yes, there isn’t any difference between a shelf company and a company incorporated by the investors/their representatives. |
| Why is the LLC the main option for shelf companies? | The LLC (limited liability company) is the most common option because the LLC is the the preffered legal entity chosen for incorporation in Hungary. |
| Basic management requirements for a Hungarian LLC | 1 shareholder, 1 director. |
| Residency requirements for the shareholder | The shareholder doesn’t have to be a Hungarian resident. |
| Foreign ownership rules in Hungary | Foreign investors can own 100% of the company’s shares. |
| Deadline to submit paperwork with the Hungarian registration authorities after the purchase | 8 days. |
| When can a legal entity be considered an aged shelf company? | Aged shelf companies are the ones that have been incorporated for several years (minimum 1-2 years). |
| Where can one find available shelf companies in Hungary? | Contact our office for full list. |
What do I need to do in order to start a business through a shelf company?
The only step you will need to make in order to be able to begin working through your Hungarian company is to change the ownership of the company to your name. For this, you need to sign a purchase agreement and, after the change of ownership has been made, to report the modification to the Hungarian authorities.
What are the advantages of a shelf company in Hungary?
The main advantage of a shelf company in Hungary is that owners do not have to go through the company incorporation process and handle all the legal matters. Other advantages are:
- the company is already established on the market and this gives it credibility and age;
- a shelf company has a registered address in Hungary (a mandatory element for the process of company incorporation in Hungary);
- please mind that an advantage of this company type is that the investors are no longer required to submit a minimum share capital (the company already has the necessary capital, in accordance with the company type under which it was incorporated);
- the new owner will have access to all the corporate documents issued throughout the years, since the moment of the incorporation;
- it is not necessary to complete other steps associated with company formation in Hungary, such as registering for VAT or opening a corporate bank account, as the shelf company already provides all these.
What changes can I bring to my shelf company?
Besides the change of ownership, after the purchase, the new owner can make various changes to the existing elements of the shelf company. Some of these are:
- for instance, the company must have a director, and the new owner must appoint a person to act as the director of the company;
- then, he or she may want to change the objects of activity of the company;
- the new owner also has the right to change the company’s business address to a new location.
How long does it take to complete the purchase procedure in 2026?
As a general rule, since the day when the documents were submitted, the modifications will be registered in a period of around 8 days (the purchase can be completed in just 1 business days, but other formalities, such as reporting obligations, can take a longer period of time).
What obligations do I have in connection to my company?
The new owner of the company will still have to complete various formalities once the company becomes operational, such as:
- registering the employees for social security if the company will have employees;
- obtaining business permits in accordance with the new objects of activity of the company;
- obtaining various licenses for a new business office;
- another office premises (if necessary), etc.
The infographic below presents basic details on the Hungarian shelf companies:
Under what legal entities are shelf companies sold?
Shelf companies in Hungary can take the form of the most common business types used in the country – the limited liability company.
Do I need to be present during the purchase formalities?
Foreign businessmen who want to open a company in Hungary by buying a shelf company must know that they do not have to be present in Hungary at the moment when the purchase is made.
How can I obtain legal representation from your team?
Our team can handle all the legal procedures required for a shelf company in Hungary, provided that you grant us the power of attorney, which represents a legal instrument that clearly states the manner in which an individual allows another party legal representation in a specific matter.
What are the main services you can offer to those buying shelf companies in Hungary in 2026?
Our consultants have a dedicated set of legal services designed for this purpose, such as:
- an initial meeting with our client, during which we will present the main coordinates of the procedure, the available shelf companies for sale, the documentation necessary for the procedure and the costs associated with it;
- once the client has decided on a certain shelf company, we will review the sale contract;
- an important part of the process is the due diligence formalities, through which our team will verify the legal and tax situation of the company (even through the shelf company is a dormant legal entity, the verification of its paperwork issued throughout the years is mandatory so that you can be sure the business is sold without any hidden flaws);
- our team will report all the changes that are mandatory and/or made on a voluntary basis by the client;
- we will provide assistance in any other mandatory aspect that needs to be completed from a legal point of view (for example, obtaining business permits and licenses).
Below, you can watch a short video on how to buy a Hungarian shelf company:
Can you offer assistance in buying a shelf company in other countries?
Yes, CompanyIncorporationHungary.com is a part of Bridgewest.eu, a European and offshore company formation agent which has affiliated partners throughout the world, therefore we can put you in contact with our agents operating in other countries, such as:
- in case you want to purchase a shelf company in another European country, for example in Lithuania, we can put you in contact with our partners who are specialists in company incorporation matters;
- in case you are interested in expanding your business in Eastern Europe and would like to establish a company in Moldova, we can put you in touch with our partners;
- if you need legal services in Europe, you can rely on our Hungarian and Polish lawyers, who can provide local legal assistance to foreign investors.
For detailed information about the ownership transfer and prices, please contact our team, where you will find the necessary support in opening a company in Hungary.