How to Find Government Tenders in Hungary

EKR (Elektronikus Kozbeszerzesi Rendszer) is Hungary's mandatory electronic procurement system at ekr.gov.hu. Yes, you must register to access tender documents, submit bids, and communicate with contracting authorities. Registration is free but requires an electronic signature compatible with the platform. We recommend registering and testing the system well before you plan to submit your first bid.

Generally no. Hungarian is the required language for procurement documents and bid submissions. While above-threshold tender notices published on TED may include English summaries, the full tender documentation and your submission must be in Hungarian. You will need professional translation services for your bid documents. Some international tenders may exceptionally allow English, but this is rare.

EU Structural and Cohesion Funds are a major driver of Hungarian public procurement. A large proportion of infrastructure, IT, healthcare, and environmental tenders are co-financed by EU funds. This means these procurements must follow strict EU compliance rules, are subject to additional audits, and generally offer more transparent and competitive procedures. Monitoring EU Operational Programme announcements can give you early visibility into upcoming tenders.

You can file a review request with the Kozbeszerzesi Dontobizottsag (Public Procurement Arbitration Board) within 15 days of becoming aware of the alleged infringement. The filing fee depends on the contract value (typically 1% of the estimated value, with minimum and maximum caps). The Arbitration Board can annul procurement decisions, impose fines, or order new procedures. Filings must be in Hungarian, and legal representation is strongly recommended.

No. Under EU procurement rules, any company established in an EU/EEA country can participate in Hungarian public tenders on equal terms. Companies from GPA signatory countries may also participate. You do not need a Hungarian subsidiary, though you will need to comply with Hungarian tax, social security, and professional registration requirements if you win a contract. Having a local partner or subcontractor can be very helpful for practical delivery and navigating administrative requirements.