Country Profile: Hungary

This Country Profile provides a basic overview of the legal history and institutional structures of Hungary (Magyarorszag), based on research produced by GlobaLex at NYU Law School and the Library of Congress. Under Hungary's Constitution, Islamic law (sharīʿa or fiqh) has no legal status.

Country Background

Hungary is a landlocked country located in Central Europe, northwest of Romania. Its other border countries are Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Slovakia, and Ukraine. The capital of Hungary is Budapest. The official language is Hungarian. The country’s population in 2016 was approximately 9.9 million. Hungary is a predominantly Christian country, with about 39% of the population Catholic (both Greek and Roman) and 14% Protestant.

Constitution & Legal Structure

Hungary is referred to as a parliamentary republic, in which sovereignty belongs to the people and the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. Hungary’s legal system is based on the Fundamental Law of Hungary, ratified in 2011 and entered into force on January 1, 2012. According to the Fundamental Law, Hungary is a parliamentary republic. The functioning of the Hungarian State is based on the principle of division of powers. The supreme legislative body is Parliament, the power of the executive branch is vested in the government, and the judiciary is the system of courts. Although Hungary is officially a Christian country, it operates as a secular nation (due in part to its recent history as a communist country as part of the USSR). Freedom of religion is guaranteed in Hungary's Constitution. Hungary is a member state of the European Union.

Constitutional Status of Islamic Law

Islamic law has no constitutional status in Hungary.

Jurisdiction(s) of Islamic Law

Islamic law has no official jurisdiction of operation in Hungary.

Dominant School of Islamic Law

Hungary has no official school of Islamic law. 

Sources of Law for Legal Research

Official Publications

Unofficial Databases

References:

For an extended list of legal resources for this country, see the Library of Congress’s Research Guide, and for a narrative review, see the GlobaLex Foreign Law Research Guide (most updated version, where available). The Constitution is available in the LOC Guide in its original language and at Constitute in English translation. For full versions of past constitutions, amendments, and related legislation, see HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated or Oxford Constitutions of the World [subscription required for each].