The legal market in Hungary, centered in Budapest, is highly competitive and is primarily driven by cross-border investment and complex transactional work. The top firms are a strong mix of large international networks that have long-established presences and highly respected independent Hungarian firms.
For international clients, the best choices combine strong local knowledge of Hungarian civil law with expertise in the international standards of finance and M&A.
🌐 The International & CEE Giants (Band 1 Dominance)
These global and Central & Eastern European (CEE) firms dominate high-volume, multi-jurisdictional M&A, Banking & Finance, and Real Estate mandates. They are often the first port of call for foreign investors.
| Law Firm Name | Origin/Network | Key Distinction & Core Focus |
| CMS | UK/Global | Consistently a Band 1 leader in Corporate/M&A and Banking & Finance. Handles high volumes of complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions, especially in the energy and TMT sectors. |
| Dentons | US/Global | Strong Band 1 practice in Corporate/M&A, frequently handling high-value, cross-border acquisitions in technology, real estate, and manufacturing sectors. Leverages vast global network. |
| DLA Piper Hungary | US/Global | Another Band 1 player for Corporate/M&A and Banking & Finance, offering market-leading experience in mergers, joint ventures, and financing. Strong in energy and natural resources. |
| Kinstellar Andrékó Ferenczi & Társai Ügyvédi Iroda | CEE Specialist | A top-tier CEE firm known for excellence in M&A, Real Estate, and Banking & Finance. Highly respected across the region. |
| Hegymegi-Barakonyi and Fehérváry Baker&McKenzie Attorneys-at-Law | US/Global | Long-standing presence, often ranked highly for M&A, Antitrust & Competition, and Employment. Strong in the automotive, technology, and pharmaceutical sectors. |
🇭🇺 Highly Regarded Local & Hybrid Firms
These firms are known for their high-quality counsel, strong local relationships, and often specialize in high-end domestic work or specific regulatory niches.
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Lakatos, Köves and Partners:
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M&A & Private Equity. A leading independent firm frequently advising foreign investors and private equity houses on the acquisition and disposal of Hungarian assets. Strong in Real Estate.
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Szecskay Attorneys at Law:
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Full-Service & Competition. Well-respected for its robust Competition Law practice (merger clearance) and strong representation in Banking & Finance and Corporate matters.
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Oppenheim Ügyvédi Iroda:
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M&A & Real Estate. Highly active in merger clearance notifications for multi-jurisdictional transactions and a respected player in the Real Estate sector.
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Nagy és Trócsányi Ügyvédi Iroda:
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General Corporate & Litigation. A highly regarded independent Hungarian firm known for sophisticated legal services across a comprehensive practice.
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Jalsovszky:
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Tax & M&A. Highly regarded for advising private investors and venture capital funds on investments, benefiting from its well-regarded Tax team on transactional matters.
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🔑 Key Areas of Practice in Budapest
The expertise of the top Hungarian law firms is concentrated in the following demanding areas:
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Corporate/M&A: Driven by foreign direct investment and private equity activity, requiring counsel on acquisitions, divestments, and corporate restructuring across the CEE region.
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Banking & Finance: Advising on acquisition finance, project finance, real estate financing, and increasingly complex financial regulatory (FinTech) matters.
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Real Estate: High demand for advice on the acquisition, development, and leasing of commercial properties, office parks, and retail centers in and around Budapest.
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TMT (Technology, Media, Telecoms): Growth in the tech sector, necessitating expertise in data protection, IT outsourcing, and IP rights.
