Employment contracts, dismissal, discrimination claims, executive compensation and workforce restructuring.
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Ranked Band 1 Chambers Europe for Banking & Finance and Real Estate. ~100 lawyers. Full-service international firm present in Hungary since 1989.
Band 1 Chambers Europe for Employment. Market leader in M&A, real estate and competition. Full English-language service.
Band 1 Chambers Europe for Dispute Resolution. Strong construction litigation, product liability and international arbitration practice.
Band 1 Chambers Europe for Corporate/M&A. Senior team from former Linklaters Budapest office. Strong on foreign investor acquisitions.
Operates as A&O Shearman Kádár Ügyvédi Iroda. English and Hungarian-law qualified attorneys. Corporate/M&A and finance focus.
Band 1 Chambers for Dispute Resolution. Renowned domestic firm with strong presence in real estate, pharma and energy sectors.
Founded 2005. Pál Jalsovszky is one of Hungary's leading tax and M&A lawyers. Merged with KNP LAW in August 2025.
Member of Ally Law global network (71 firms, 46 countries). Market-leading ESOP, employment and tax practices.
Global law firm network with Budapest office specializing in expat services
Major international law firm with strong Budapest presence and English-speaking expertise
International law firm with English-speaking team in Budapest
Full-service firm with dedicated expat legal services
Rights vary by country, but typically include notice periods, severance pay and the right to challenge unfair dismissal. An employment lawyer can assess your specific situation.
Yes — employment contracts must generally comply with local law regardless of the employer's home country. A local lawyer should review any contract before you sign.
Browse our verified directory of law firms across Hungary's major cities. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 SecondsFee ranges for employment matters under Act I of 2012 (Munka Törvénykönyve — Labour Code). Cross-border assignments and executive terminations typically require specialist firms.
| Matter | Solo / small | Mid-firm | Specialist / Intl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment contract drafting | HUF 80,000–180,000 | HUF 150,000–350,000 | HUF 300,000–700,000 |
| Wrongful dismissal claim | HUF 300,000–800,000 | HUF 600,000–2,000,000 | HUF 1,500,000–5,000,000 |
| Executive termination / severance | HUF 500,000–1,200,000 | HUF 1,000,000–3,000,000 | HUF 2,500,000–7,000,000 |
| Posted worker compliance (EU Directive 96/71) | Specialist required | HUF 400,000–1,000,000 | HUF 800,000–2,500,000 |
| Non-compete / garden leave dispute | HUF 300,000–700,000 | HUF 600,000–1,800,000 | HUF 1,500,000–4,000,000 |
| Collective redundancy (30+ employees) | Specialist required | HUF 1,500,000–4,000,000 | HUF 3,000,000–9,000,000 |
| GDPR / employment data dispute | HUF 200,000–500,000 | HUF 400,000–1,200,000 | HUF 1,000,000–3,000,000 |
⚠ Hungary's Labour Code (Act I of 2012) sets minimum notice periods of 30 days (up to 3 years' service) to a maximum of 90 days. Severance is capped at 3 months' base salary. Court-ordered reinstatement is still available under § 82 Mt. but rarely granted in practice.
A wrongful dismissal claim in Hungary must be filed within 30 days of receiving the termination notice under Act I of 2012 § 287. Miss this deadline and your claim is time-barred. Early instruction of a lawyer is critical — ideally within 7 days of dismissal.
Scenario: Senior VP employed under Hungarian contract, dismissed without cause after restructuring. Hungarian Labour Court jurisdiction applies.
Key issue: Executive's contract included a 12-month non-compete clause. Under Mt. § 228, non-compete compensation must be at least one-third of base salary during the restriction period — not provided, making the clause unenforceable.
Outcome: Labour Court (Munkaügyi Bíróság) awarded 3 months' severance + notice pay. Non-compete deemed void. Total award: HUF 9,600,000.
Lawyer cost (specialist employment firm): HUF 2,400,000 (25% of award — success fee arrangement)
Legal basis: Act I of 2012 (Mt.) §§ 82, 228, 287; Curia decision EBH2021.M.11 (non-compete compensation threshold).
Our interactive guide identifies whether you need a domestic, cross-border, or executive specialist.
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