Hungarian legal database

The National Legislative Database is an open and free service for searching for pieces of legislation.

At the moment it is running in beta version and the service provider is collecting users' feedback and monitoring the working parameters of the system. The service is being continuously developed on the basis of this feedback and the measurement results so there might be minor changes in the layout and the functioning alike.

The content and the service of the National Legislative Database are provided by the Magyar Közlöny Lap- és Könyvkiadó Kft. (Publications Office for Hungary).

Main types of legal acts

Alaptörvény (Basic Law): the highest ranked legal act that governs Hungary’s legal order, the basic rights and obligations of citizens, and sets the main rules for the state system. No measures of any other norms can be contrary to the Basic Law. 

Törvény (Act): important legal acts at the second level of the hierarchy of norms. The Basic Law defines the rights and obligations that shall be governed by Acts. They can only be adopted, amended or repealed by the National Parliament.

Rendelet (Regulation): legal acts based on and meant to carry out a specific piece of legislation. They are issued by governmental agencies at all levels and have the force of law as they are adopted under authority granted by statutes.

Határozat (Decision): in their decisions the Parliament, the Government, Government commissions and municipalities establish projects falling under their competence, govern their own functioning and the tasks of the bodies under their authority.

Utasítás (Order): Ministers issue Orders in their executive powers settled by law to govern the activities and operations of bodies under their authority.