Hungary’s Parliament has passed the law establishing the National Asset Recovery and Asset Protection Office, granting it extensive powers to investigate suspected misuse of public assets and recover unlawfully acquired state property.

New office to recover EU funds

Hungary’s Parliament has approved legislation establishing the National Asset Recovery and Asset Protection Office (NVVH), creating a new authority tasked with protecting public assets, investigating suspected misuse of state property and helping recover unlawfully acquired public wealth.

The bill was passed on Tuesday with 143 votes in favour and 47 against.

According to the legislation, the new office will provide the legal framework needed to safeguard public assets, uncover unlawful management of state property and facilitate asset recovery.

Wide-ranging investigative powers for asset recovery

The NVVH will be authorised to carry out public asset protection risk assessments and investigations, as well as place organisations under public asset protection supervision where necessary.

Its powers are extensive. During investigations, officials will be able to enter premises connected to an inquiry, including offices, archives, warehouses and server rooms. They will also be entitled to examine relevant documents, records, contracts and electronic data storage devices.

The National Asset Recovery and Asset Protection Office will also have the authority to inspect the bank accounts and financial assets of organisations placed under its supervision. In addition, it may exercise investigative and prosecutorial functions aimed at recovering and protecting public assets, while requesting assistance from the police, the prosecution service, the National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) and other authorities when required.

The law also provides for a pre-criminal procedure phase, during which the office may conduct risk analyses before deciding whether to launch a public asset protection procedure or initiate criminal proceedings, depending on the evidence uncovered.

Acting president signs the law

Following Parliament’s approval, on Wednesday, acting President Ágnes Forsthoffer announced on Facebook that she had signed the legislation after it had undergone a constitutional review by legal experts at the Sándor Palace.

She said no constitutional concerns had been identified during the review, adding that the new office would be responsible for uncovering abuses involving public assets, supporting the recovery of unlawfully obtained wealth and helping prevent similar cases in the future.

The law entered into force on the day of her announcement, that is, on Wednesday, 29 July 2026.

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Leadership to be appointed within 30 days

Under the legislation, Parliament must elect the president and deputy presidents of the NVVH within 30 days of the law entering into force.

The establishment of the office was one of the flagship campaign pledges of the governing Tisza Party, which argued that a dedicated institution was needed to strengthen the protection of public assets and improve the recovery of state property obtained unlawfully.

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