Lakóhely

Lakóhely is a term used in Hungarian civil and administrative law to denote the place where a person habitually resides and to which they intend to be tied for a longer period. It is a link to the local community and is often used to determine jurisdiction, administrative procedures, and local rights and duties. The concept is not identical to a person’s place of birth, temporary stay, or merely a mailing address.

Establishing lakóhely is based on actual living conditions and intention. Factors commonly considered include where the person has a home, where daily life and family life center, where work or regular activities take place, and where they intend to remain for the foreseeable future. Because it relies on factual circumstances and intention rather than a single document, authorities assess multiple elements to determine the true lakóhely.

Legal significance of lakóhely varies by context but generally affects which local authority handles administrative matters, eligibility for municipal services, and, in many cases, the electoral district for elections. When a person moves and intends to establish a new long-term residence, they typically acquire a new lakóhely and should ensure relevant records and authorities reflect the change.

Lakóhely is distinct from tartózkodási hely (place of stay, usually temporary) and székhely (registered office or headquarters of an organization). It is also not simply the postal address used for correspondence.