Hungary’s Home Start program, famous for its 3% subsidized mortgages for first-time buyers, has a lesser-known supply-side weapon: “national economy priority” status for large residential projects meeting affordability criteria.
Launched in fall 2025, it’s already fast-tracking nearly two dozen developments totaling close to 6,000 new homes. Projects with 250+ apartments qualify if 70% adhere to Home Start caps: max HUF 1.5M/sqm and HUF 100M total price.
Most approvals cluster in Budapest, especially District XI (multiple sites: Fehérvári Rd, Savoya Park area, Szerémi Rd). Others in Districts XV, XVIII, XIII (~470 units) and District IX (finishing stalled building). New consultations target Districts III, IV, XIV, XIX and more XI sites.
Regional revival: Szeged, Debrecen, Veszprémlead
While Budapest dominates, the program is sparking big provincial plays: Veszprém – suburban low-density estate on plot 2358/26 with plans upped from 240 to 250+ units for eligibility. Szeged – brownfield mega-complex on plots 24011/51 and 52, up to 10 stories, 50% green space, former hotel/office site pivots residential amid BYD factory boom.
Debrecen – vacant site bounded by Vámospércsi Rd, Veres Péter St and Berzsenyi Rd, up to 60,000 sqm, fueled by CATL/BMW battery and auto plants. Budaörs – 270 units on disputed sports-zone plot, local council opposed, citing infrastructure gaps.
OTP Ingatlanpont says the program reflects years of government efforts to stimulate new supply and curb price spikes. Over 40,000 developer applications have poured in since launch.
