What does Hungarian law say?

The offence (Section 372 of the Hungarian Criminal Code) is appropriating movable property belonging to someone else that was entrusted to you, or disposing of it as if it were your own. Money received as a loan cannot be the subject of this offence.

What penalty can you face?

• Small value: up to 2 years
• Larger value: up to 3 years
• Substantial value: 1 to 5 years
• Particularly large value: 2 to 8 years
• Particularly substantial value: 5 to 10 years

Value thresholds (Section 459 of the Hungarian Criminal Code): petty offence up to HUF 50,000; small value HUF 50,001–500,000; larger value HUF 500,001–5,000,000; substantial value HUF 5–50 million; particularly large value HUF 50–500 million; particularly substantial value over HUF 500 million. If the same person commits several petty-value offences within one year and they are tried together, the values are added up, and above HUF 50,000 the act becomes a criminal offence (Section 462 (4)). For offences against life, physical integrity and health, traffic offences and offences against property (misdemeanours, or felonies punishable by up to 3 years), admitting the offence before indictment and compensating the victim through mediation accepted by the victim can lead to no punishment at all; for offences punishable by up to 5 years the sentence can be reduced without limit (Section 29). This does not apply, among others, to repeat offenders, offences committed in a criminal organisation, or where the offence caused death.

What should you do now?

• Do not make a statement without a lawyer.
• Ask for an interpreter in your own language.
• Ask for copies of the official records and call us before the interview.
• If a family member has been detained in Hungary, find out where they are being held and call us immediately.

How we help

• We explain every document and every step of the procedure in English
• Establishing whether it is a criminal offence or a civil dispute
• Checking the value and the accounts
• Negotiations with the injured party, mediation
• Representation during the investigation and in court

Frequently asked questions

If I pay the money back, will the case be closed?

Not automatically, but compensating the loss through mediation can lead to no punishment or to a lighter sentence.

Is it a crime if I have not repaid a loan?

No. Borrowed money becomes the property of the borrower; failing to repay it is a civil matter.

I live abroad. Who will try my case?

An offence committed in Hungary is dealt with by the Hungarian authorities. We can represent you and keep you informed in English.

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Call us now, day or night

Dr. László-Tamás Benő: +36 70 379 0245

Office: Falk Miksa utca 4, mezzanine 4, 1055 Budapest (by appointment only)

See also: Detained or arrested in Hungary · Hungarian version