A payment order (fizetési meghagyás) is the quick way a creditor — a bank, a utility, a landlord, a collection company — claims money in Hungary. A notary (közjegyző) issues it through the notaries' national system (MOKK) at the creditor's request, without examining the claim, with the same effect as a court. A money claim of up to 3 million forints generally has to start this way. It can be issued only to someone with a known address in Hungary.
How it reaches you
By post, or electronically if you have an electronic delivery address. A posted order you do not collect counts as served on the 5th working day after the second delivery attempt; an electronic one on the 5th working day after the second notice; a refused one on the day it was offered. You can challenge a presumed delivery within 15 days of learning of it, never after three months.
The 15 days
The order tells you to pay within 15 days of service, and gives the same 15 days to file an objection (ellentmondás) with the notary if you think the claim is unfounded, in whole or in part. Enter the day you received it on this page and the site counts them; a last day on a weekend or a holiday moves to the next working day. Within the same period you can ask for instalments or more time. Paying after receipt counts as accepting the claim.
Objection or not
- With an objection the case becomes a lawsuit for the part objected: the creditor must file a statement of claim and pay a further fee.
- Without one the order has the effect of a final judgment. The notary orders enforcement with an enforcement sheet (végrehajtási lap) and a bailiff (végrehajtó) collects the debt; the creditor can ask for this for ten years.
- Learned of it only from the bailiff, because it was presumed served? You may still object within 15 days of the bailiff's delivery, paying the enforcement costs so far.
- Missed the period for a reason you could not help: a request for reinstatement (igazolási kérelem) to the notary.
How to file the objection
On the official form, electronically, or — without a lawyer — in person at any notary's office; companies must file electronically. Quote the order's case number and file it well before the last day.
A lawyer for debt collection can read the order, file the objection in Hungarian within the 15 days and defend the lawsuit that follows; when a decision has to be enforced across borders, see enforcement of foreign judgments.
Prepared by Legal Help Tool. Last updated . General information, not legal advice.
