In 2017, Hungary introduced a new system for communication with the authorities and certain further entities. The aim of this new system was to speed up public administration process, therefore lawmakers established the so called "Company Gateway" ("Cégkapu") and made compulsory for companies to register in this system and to communicate with public administration, justice authorities and with provider of public utility services via electronic means. The Company Gateway is a free, state-run and mandatory electronic interface which is based on the existing Hungarian model of Client Gateway ("Ügyfélkapu") established for private individuals which runs since long years with success.

The original deadline for registration decided for the Company Gateway registration by the lawmakers was 30 August 2017; however, registration was possible to complete by the end of 2017 without negative consequences. Nevertheless, there are a relative high number of companies which still have not registered. For them the registration should be an asap issue.

As our clients are mainly companies with foreign managing directors (and founders), there were some difficulties to register those companies, as the registration system was modelled for Hungarian companies. The registration can be performed online under the link https://tarhely.gov.hu/ckp-regisztracio/kaulogin.html through either a Hungarian Client Gateway registration or by having an Hungarian electronic ID card. As mentioned above, the Client Gateway is a close equivalent of the Company Gateway for natural persons to communicate with public administration. The above methods seemed to be difficult for the most foreign companies as the managing director thereof had neither Hungarian Client Gateway, nor Hungarian ID card. Unfortunately, the system administrator of Company Gateway has not worked out a method for the registration of such companies.

One possible way would have been to register at the Client Gateway system or obtain a Hungarian ID card. This would be free of charge but possible only at the so-called "Government Window" ("Kormányablak") which is a Hungarian public administration client center, or at the Documents Department at the local Government Authority. Furthermore, the part of personal identification of the registration at the Client Gateway system could be done at the consulates of the Hungarian embassies in abroad.

To support such companies at this registration procedure and to speed it up, it is possible to register for them in the system by a power of attorney and after such registration apply the managing directors of them as Company Gateway administrator with their e-mail address in the system. Please note, in case there are multiple persons who jointly represent the company, each of them must take part in the registration process.

The above mentioned Company Gateway address will function as the official electronic contact of business entities, which may be requested by third parties to initiate their own correspondence with the given business entities.

The assistance of a Hungarian speaking individual is also recommended as the Company Gate system is available right now only in Hungarian. However, of course the system is under good-running development; until it is not done, we are at the disposal of our clients who needs assistance in this issue.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.