Updated
GL-S-06
01 / In 30 seconds
The short answer
- What it is
- A company’s registered address in Hungary — its official seat
- Why it is needed
- Without it the company will not be registered; official correspondence is sent there
- Who provides it
- The company’s own premises or a specialist registered address provider
- What matters
- The provider must ensure documents are kept and mail is received
- Not to be confused with
- A registered address is not the same as a real office and presence
02 / In plain words
What Székhely means
Székhely is the Hungarian term for a company’s registered address, its official seat. It is mandatory for registration: a company without an address is not entered in the register. It is to this address that state bodies send official correspondence, and under the rules corporate documents must be kept there.
The address is provided in one of two ways: the company’s own or rented premises, or a specialist provider offering a registered address service. The provider must receive correspondence, keep documents and deal with the authorities. When choosing such a service, look at reliability: a lost notice turns into late filing and penalties.
The important distinction is the same as in other jurisdictions: a registered address does not equal real economic substance. For a bank account, tax matters and business immigration routes, actual activity is assessed — staff, premises, the place where decisions are taken. The address satisfies a formal requirement but does not replace substance.
A case from practice
Notices for a client’s company were arriving at the registered address, and the provider was forwarding them late to an out-of-date email address. The late filing was discovered too late. After changing provider and updating the contact details, the problem disappeared.
When it is needed
- Registering a company in Hungary
- Changing the registered address
- Receiving official correspondence
- Opening a bank account
- Business immigration options
- Keeping the company in good order
03 / What it covers
What to check
Address
- Own or from a provider
- Entry in the register
- Change if needed
Provider
- Reliability and experience
- Receiving correspondence
- Speed of forwarding letters
Documents
- Keeping corporate documents
- Access for the authorities
- Service agreement
Limits
- Not the same as a real office
- The bank’s requirements
- Programme requirements
04 / How it works
How it works
Choose an address or provider
Sign the contract
Enter the address in the register
Receive correspondence
Keep it up to date
05 / Key facts
What you need to know
01
Without a registered address the company will not be registered
02
Official correspondence arrives at the address
03
The provider must ensure documents are kept
04
An address does not evidence real presence
05
A change of address must be entered in the register
Common mistakes
- Choosing a provider on price alone
- Not paying for the service and losing correspondence
- Treating a registered address as proof of presence
- Not updating your contact details with the provider
- Ignoring letters arriving at the address
06 / Expert advice
How to prepare in advance
A provider is chosen for reliability and quality of communication: the main thing here is that letters from the authorities reach you quickly. Keep your contact details up to date and make sure the service is paid for. If the company is needed for a bank account or a business route, the question of real presence is dealt with separately from the address.
What we do for you. We pay attention to such details: all of a company’s official correspondence goes through the registered address. An unreliable provider is a typical cause of sudden late filings and penalties that the owner learns about last.
Anna KovalevskayaLead lawyer for EU citizenship and residency, 12 years of practice
07 / Questions
Frequently asked questions
The Hungarian term for a company’s registered address — its official seat as shown in the register.
Yes, without a registered address a company will not be registered or maintained on the register.
Yes, it is common practice. The provider must receive correspondence and keep documents.
No. A registered address is a formal requirement. Real presence is assessed by staff, activity and the place where decisions are taken.
The provider will stop the service, correspondence will stop arriving, and the company risks falling behind on its formalities.
Usually not. The bank looks at the company’s real activity, not just a line in the register.
INITIAL ASSESSMENT
Tell us what outcome your family needs
We will design a solution for your case, choose the country and the right status, and take the whole process through to the result.
