PCT NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY
Hungary

Hungary has been a Contracting Party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property since January 01, 1909, and a Contracting Party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) since June 27, 1980. Additionally, Hungary is a signatory to the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for Patent Procedures and the Patent Law Treaty (PLT). It is also a member of the European Patent Organization (EPO).

The deadline for entering the Hungarian national phase of a PCT application is 31 months from the priority date.

In Hungary, the official language for entering the PCT national phase is Hungarian. The Hungarian translation of the international application must be submitted within 31 months from the priority date. However, the translation can be provided up to 3 months after the 31-month deadline with surcharge.

The time limit for entering the Hungarian national phase of a PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) application is 31 months from the priority date. However, the late entry is still possible within an additional 3-month grace period, provided that the prescribed surcharge is paid.

The necessary documents for filing a national phase application in Hungary include:

• Power of Attorney: A simply signed original Power of Attorney is required to file along with the national phase application. No legalization or notarization is required.
• Assignment Deed: If the applicant is not the inventor, the Assignment Deed and the Declaration of Assignment must be submitted either when entering the National Phase or within the deadline specified by the Hungarian Patent Office.

At present, there are no specific fee exemptions for filing patent applications in the Hungary. Applicants are required to pay the necessary fees as part of the standard filing process.

Patent applications in Hungary are subject to both formal and substantive examination. If the application meets the formal requirements, the Hungarian Patent Office assigns the filing date and conducts a Novelty Search if certain parts of the international application were not covered by the international search. The request for substantive examination can be filed either when entering the Hungarian national phase or no later than 6 months from the date the Search Report issuance is published in the Official Gazette.

Renewal fees are required for each year from the international filing date. Payment of the accumulated renewals (typically for the 1st to 3rd years) is due upon the publication of the application. All subsequent renewal fees must be paid in advance, before the due date. The due date for renewal payment is the anniversary of the international filing date. Renewals can also be paid within a 6-month grace period following the due date.

In Hungary, patents are valid for 20 years starting from the international filing date of the application.

Hungary is ranked 36th out of 133 economies in the GII 2024, which assesses the innovation capabilities of countries worldwide. Among the 51 high-income economies, Hungary holds the 34th position. In Europe, Hungary is ranked 23rd out of 39 economies. Hungary generates more innovation outputs in relation to its level of innovation investments. It achieves its highest rankings in Knowledge and Technology Outputs (25th), Business Sophistication (28th), Human Capital and Research (34th), and Infrastructure (35th).

Hungary, officially the Republic of Hungary, is a landlocked country in Central Europe renowned for its rich historical heritage, vibrant culture, and picturesque natural landscapes. Its capital and largest city, Budapest, is one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations, celebrated for its unique blend of old-world charm and modern attractions, including historic architecture, thermal baths, and a dynamic cultural scene. Hungary is a parliamentary republic with a population of approximately 9.78 million, playing an active role in European and regional affairs while preserving its distinct identity.