Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: Here’s how you can get free ownership of a Hungarian castle

In a bid to save Hungarian castles from deterioration, the Hungarian Ministry of Construction and Transport has introduced new legislation that allows individuals to acquire ownership of a castle for free. As expected, the conditions are very stringent.

Destined for deterioration

Turizmus reports that Regő Lánszki, State Secretary for Architecture at Hungary’s Ministry of Construction and Transport, announced the introduction of a “trial year” for new legislation, during which eight historic properties will be put up for tender. These include prominent castles such as the Sándor Metternich Castle and the Esterházy Castle. Lánszki emphasised that many Hungarian castles, nationalised in the mid-20th century and stripped of their original owners, were neglected and repurposed as tractor garages and grain storage facilities, leading to their saddening deterioration.

Sándor Metternich Castle. Photo: NÖF

Private capital to save Hungarian castles

Lánszki highlighted that over a third of Hungary‘s castles were irreparably destroyed, with the remaining suffering severe decay. While many neighbouring countries have restituted their castles since the 1990s, Hungary opted not to return them to former owners. Of the more than 100 state-owned castles, only 13 or 14 have been partially renovated, primarily with EU funds, yet none have been fully restored. Lánszki suggested that private investment could be key to renovating and managing these castles while ensuring they remain fully accessible to the public, a concept already successfully implemented in various countries around the world.

Strict conditions

Lánszki further explained that while the first version of the law on the sustainable development of cultural heritage, referred to as the “castles law,” was passed in December 2023, the Constitutional Court of Hungary requested additional guarantees on long-term asset management. The law was subsequently revised and re-adopted by Parliament in June.

Lánszki emphasised that the law imposes strict conditions, including free public access to castle parks for 300 days a year, reasonably priced tickets for public collections, and a requirement for new owners to implement a full renovation plan within ten years, along with a 30-year maintenance and management plan. He stressed that these Hungarian castles are not being “given away for free” but come with significant financial obligations.

Sümeg Palace. Photo: NÖF

Preserving castles

The Ministry has committed to completing an initial survey of Hungarian castles by 31 August, identifying those in poor condition or poorly managed. The law’s annex lists 48 castles, with eight undergoing comprehensive documentation to kickstart the trial year. A tender call for these properties will be published next week, open to individuals or legal entities who pay a HUF 10 million (EUR 25,459) application fee.

Contracts must be finalised within 60 days, with the minister selecting the proposal that best supports cultural heritage and conservation. Strict conditions on renovation, maintenance, and public access are enforced, with properties reverting to state ownership if these are not met. Lánszki expressed hope that domestic businesses, churches, municipalities, or individuals will invest in preserving these Hungarian castles.

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