CSOK Plus and Rural CSOK: Housing Subsidies in Hungary 2026

Hungary’s family housing subsidy scheme, commonly known as CSOK (Családi Otthonteremtési Kedvezmény, Family Home-Creation Allowance), has undergone significant reforms in recent years. As of 2026, two main subsidy tracks are available to families who wish to purchase, build, or expand residential property: CSOK Plus and Rural CSOK (Falusi CSOK). Understanding the eligibility rules, subsidy amounts, and repayment obligations is essential for any family planning to rely on these programs when purchasing real estate in Hungary.

Legal Framework

The current CSOK Plus and Rural CSOK programs are governed primarily by Government Decree 16/2016. (II. 10.) Korm. rendelet (on the housing subsidies available to families), as amended from time to time, along with subsequent implementing decrees. The programs also interact with the provisions of the Civil Code (Polgári Törvénykönyv, Ptk.) governing property purchase agreements and the Land Registration Act (2013. évi CCXXI. törvény az ingatlan-nyilvántartásról) regarding the registration of encumbrances.

What Is CSOK Plus?

CSOK Plus is a subsidized mortgage loan available to families with children or those who commit to having children within a specified time frame. Unlike the earlier non-refundable grants, CSOK Plus takes the form of a preferential-interest home loan, with interest rates significantly below market levels.

Key Features of CSOK Plus

• Subsidized interest rate: The interest rate on a CSOK Plus loan is fixed at a low level (currently around 3 % per annum), well below prevailing commercial mortgage rates.
• Maximum loan amount: Up to HUF 50 million depending on family size, number of children, and property type.
• Eligible purposes: Purchase, new construction, or expansion of residential real estate in Hungary.
• Term: Up to 25 years, with monthly annuity repayments.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for CSOK Plus, applicants must meet the following conditions:

1. Marital status: At least one applicant must be a Hungarian citizen or permanent resident. Married couples or registered partners are preferred, though single parents may also qualify under certain conditions.
2. Children: Applicants must have at least two children (born or unborn). Unborn children must be born within 10 years from the date of subsidy disbursement.
3. Clean criminal record: Applicants must provide a certificate of good conduct (hatósági erkölcsi bizonyítvány).
4. Social security coverage: At least one applicant must have at least 180 days of continuous social insurance (társadalombiztosítási jogviszony) at the time of application.
5. No outstanding public debt: Neither applicant may have overdue tax or social security debts.
6. Property restrictions: Applicants may not own more than a 50 % share in another residential property at the time of application, unless it is being sold in connection with the subsidized purchase.

Loan Amounts by Number of Children

Number of Children	Maximum CSOK Plus Loan
2 children	HUF 15 million
3 children	HUF 30 million
4 or more children	HUF 50 million

These amounts may be combined with the applicant’s own funds and a commercial mortgage if the property price exceeds the CSOK Plus ceiling.

What Is Rural CSOK (Falusi CSOK)?

Rural CSOK is a complementary program aimed at promoting home ownership in smaller municipalities — generally settlements with a population under 5,000 inhabitants that appear on the government’s list of eligible villages (the kedvezményezett települések list). Rural CSOK can take the form of a non-refundable grant and may be used alongside CSOK Plus.

Eligible Purposes

Rural CSOK funds may be used for:

• Purchase of an existing home in an eligible settlement.
• Purchase combined with renovation or modernization (the most common usage).
• Expansion of an existing residential property.

Grant Amounts

The non-refundable grant under Rural CSOK can reach up to HUF 10 million for purchase combined with renovation in eligible settlements, depending on family size:

Number of Children	Rural CSOK Grant (Purchase + Renovation)
1 child	HUF 600,000
2 children	HUF 2.6 million
3 or more children	up to HUF 10 million

Additional Conditions for Rural CSOK

• The property must be located in an eligible settlement listed in the relevant government decree annex.
• If renovation is part of the plan, the renovation works must be completed within 3 years and documented by invoices from licensed contractors.
• The applicants must maintain permanent residence (állandó lakcím) at the subsidized property for at least 10 years following the disbursement.

Combining CSOK Plus and Rural CSOK

Families purchasing in eligible rural settlements may apply for both CSOK Plus and Rural CSOK simultaneously, provided they meet the criteria for each program independently. This can result in a total benefit package of a subsidized low-interest loan of up to HUF 50 million plus a non-refundable grant of up to HUF 10 million — a powerful combination for families willing to settle in smaller communities.

Repayment Obligations and Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failure to Meet the Child-Bearing Commitment

If applicants committed to having a certain number of children within the prescribed time frame but fail to do so, the subsidy must be partially or fully repaid, together with the Hungarian Central Bank base rate (jegybanki alapkamat) as penalty interest. The repayable amount is proportional to the number of “missing” children.

Violation of Residency or Ownership Requirements

If the subsidized property is sold, rented out, or the applicants move away before the end of the 10-year residency obligation, the subsidy must be repaid in full. An exception applies if the family uses the proceeds to purchase another property that also qualifies under the program.

Mortgage and Land Registry Consequences

A subsidy encumbrance (támogatási jelzálogjog) is registered on the property’s land registry folio (tulajdoni lap) in favor of the Hungarian State Treasury (Magyar Államkincstár). This encumbrance remains until the residency and child-bearing obligations have been fully satisfied. Until the encumbrance is released, the property cannot be freely sold or further encumbered without the Treasury’s consent.

The Role of Legal Counsel

Given the complexity of the eligibility rules and the severe financial consequences of non-compliance, we strongly recommend engaging a real estate attorney (ingatlan ügyvéd) before applying for CSOK Plus or Rural CSOK. An attorney can:

• Review eligibility and advise on structuring the transaction;
• Draft or review the purchase agreement to ensure it meets subsidy requirements;
• Coordinate with the lending bank and the State Treasury;
• Handle all land registry filings, including the registration (and eventual release) of the subsidy encumbrance.

Practical Tips for Applicants

1. Gather documents early: Birth certificates, marriage certificate, employment and social security confirmations, criminal record certificate, and land registry extracts should be assembled before visiting the bank.
2. Verify the settlement list: If applying for Rural CSOK, confirm that the target settlement is on the current list of eligible municipalities — the list is updated periodically.
3. Budget for additional costs: Transfer tax (illeték), attorney fees, valuation fees, and potential renovation costs should all be factored into the total budget.
4. Understand the timeline: From application to disbursement, the process typically takes 60–90 days; plan purchase contract deadlines accordingly.
5. Keep records: Retain all invoices, contractor agreements, and correspondence for at least 10 years, as the Treasury may audit compliance at any time during the residency period.

Conclusion

CSOK Plus and Rural CSOK remain among the most generous family housing support schemes in Central Europe. However, the benefits come with binding legal obligations that persist for a decade or more. A thorough understanding of the rules — and competent legal advice — can help families take full advantage of these programs while avoiding costly repayment obligations.

If you are considering purchasing property with the help of CSOK Plus or Rural CSOK, our firm is ready to assist you with eligibility analysis, contract drafting, and land registry procedures. Contact us for a consultation.