Budapest Housing Market Surges After Otthon Start Program Launch
The Otthon Start Program, introduced on September 1st, has given a strong boost to the Budapest property market. According to ingatlan.com, interest in apartments for sale in the capital has jumped by 53 percent compared to last year, with demand more than doubling since the summer.
The strongest growth was seen in the 50–100 million forint price range, where interest surged by over 100 percent. Apartments under 50 million forints also became far more sought-after, with demand rising by almost 90 percent, even though supply in this category remains limited.
Nationwide, demand has also picked up significantly, but Budapest and other large cities remain the clear hotspots. Experts note that the program’s preferential state loan – up to 50 million forints with a maximum 3 percent interest rate – has played a key role in driving demand. While last year’s investor activity created a higher base for comparison, the recent spike clearly shows a turning point for the Budapest housing market.