How long does the mandatory warranty last in Hungary?
Two or three years depending on price — Hungary's mandatory warranty is tiered, and it slopes towards the buyer. Durable consumer goods priced from 10,000 HUF (electronics, appliances, furniture, watches, glasses and peers) carry the trader's mandatory warranty: at least 2 years up to 250,000 HUF, at least 3 years above. The warranty's power is the burden of proof: throughout the term the trader must prove the fault is yours — not the reverse. Trump cards: failures within three working days earn replacement (not repair); a third failure under warranty, or repairs dragging past 30 days, earn replacement or a refund. Warranty certificates are mandatory above 100,000 HUF — but the right is enforceable with the receipt alone. And the layer shops forget: alongside the warranty runs the 2-year statutory conformity right — you may always invoke whichever favours you.
📋 The key rules
- Mandatory warranty on durable goods from 10,000 HUF
- Tiers: 10–250k HUF: min. 2 years; above 250k: min. 3 years
- Failure within 3 working days: replacement on demand
- Third failure or 30-day repair overrun: replacement / refund
- The burden of proof stays on the trader throughout
🔓 Exceptions
- Non-durables (clothes, books): no warranty — the 2-year conformity right still applies
- Used goods: no mandatory warranty, (shorter) conformity rights yes
⚠️ Penalties
Unlawfully rejecting warranty claims is a consumer-protection violation: conciliation boards (traders owe cooperation), authority fines and lawsuits — with interest. A missing warranty certificate is the trader's failure, not your right's loss.
📎 Official sources
- Tudatos Vásárló · The new warranty rules — tiers and rights (HU) →
- Adózóna · The mandatory-warranty rules changed (HU) →
- Decree 45/2014 and consumer-protection frames (HU) →
❓ Frequently asked questions
How long is the warranty on my 300k laptop?
At least 3 years — per the above-250k tier; the trader must issue a certificate, but your claim works with the receipt too.
It broke on day two. What can I demand?
Replacement — failures within three working days earn replacement rather than repair, where the fault arose under proper use.
It's in service for the third time. How long must I tolerate?
No longer: at the third failure under warranty (or repairs past 30 days) you're owed replacement, failing that a refund.
Warranty vs statutory conformity — the difference?
Under the warranty the trader proves throughout; under the 2-year conformity right the burden can flip after year one — the two run parallel, and you pick the friendlier.
🔎 What people actually search
Real search phrases for this topic.
- “mandatory warranty tiers hungary”
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- “warranty vs conformity hungary”