Want to settle near Budapest? This town will ask for EUR 13,000 first
Törökbálint is a town in Budapest’s agglomeration, and its mayor, Péter Szőke, has submitted a new draft decree to the local council that could restrict the arrival of new residents. The proposed measure aims to ease the burden on the town’s overstretched infrastructure and preserve its “local identity.”
Want to settle in Budapest’s agglomeration? Pay in advance
According to Szeretlek Magyarország, the proposal would affect two main areas: the former brick factory district and the Napliget residential zone. Under the plan, anyone purchasing property in these parts of the town would be required to pay a one-off settlement fee of HUF 5 million (EUR 12,930), which the municipality would allocate to infrastructure improvements.
Additionally, in the former brick factory area, no one would be allowed to register an address without property ownership – unless they pay an extra HUF one million as a contribution.
Mayor Péter Szőke explains the reasoning
Writing on his social media page, Szőke said the town’s water supply is already operating at capacity. During the summer months, watering restrictions have to be imposed, and the existing utilities would not be able to support further large-scale developments.
Although Törökbálint’s financial situation remains stable, the mayor pointed out that central budget cuts and increased operational costs have significantly reduced available development funds – making it necessary to find new, local solutions.
The town leadership emphasised that the proposal will only move forward after consulting local residents. In the coming weeks, the draft will be released for public discussion, allowing the people of Törökbálint to express their opinions on the potential restrictions.
Is it wise to discourage newcomers from moving In?
Törökbálint is not the first Hungarian municipality to make use of the opportunities provided by the “Local Identity Act”, which came into force this summer. Under this law, local councils are permitted to limit new settlements, attach conditions to property purchases, and impose settlement contributions.
Several towns have already taken advantage of the new rules: some have set moral or financial conditions for newcomers, while in others – such as Terény – new residents must pay a HUF 500,000 contribution.
It’s not against people who want to move there
Mayor Szőke stressed that the measure in Törökbálint is primarily economic, not aimed at social selection. The town’s earlier development plans, including the redevelopment of the former brick factory site, have already sparked heated debates. One previous investment project could have increased the town’s population by as much as ten percent – but it was ultimately abandoned.
According to Szőke, the goal now is not growth but sustainability. “We must prioritise the interests of the existing community. Development resources should be used to improve the quality of life for Törökbálint’s residents – not to accommodate another wave of newcomers.”
Lots of places use creative ways of getting investment into dying or strapped communities. Those who have paid for years or even generations for infrastructure don’t get burdened by an influx of new arrivals without some of the programs I’ve read about. While at the same time, inviting ppl to come to live, enjoy, invest. Helps prevent inbreeding which causes such a mariad of longterm health issues. Just watch some Utube about the US Appalachians or Turkey’s villiges of incest…and of course some ‘identifyable’ or even Royal families where stupid is as stupid does down the line.
On our island of PEI for instance ppl who come to experience Anne of Green Gables often fall in love w. the place from Japan or China and pay huge huge sums to be allowed to settle. Same in BC on our other side…and extra high property taxes to own property. NS was going to implement that when suddenly our exceptional behavior during Covid made it so safe here when our premier demanded “stay the blazes home”, and we did. Our population doubled to 1 million during those couple of years. Ppl from ALL over bought up anything & everything, waited patiently for months and months to be allowed to come take up residence…of course everyone over paid. Choices of places t live always have cost associations. Have to embrace it.