New legislation has been passed under governmental decree no. 274/2025 (VIII.18.) extending the already existing “Plaza Stop” regulations. The new rules are in effect since 17 September 2025.
The new provisions extend the scope of the “Plaza Stop” regime. Under the new rules, a permit will be required for a change of function in the case of the transfer or granting of a use right (e.g. by way of a lease) of commercial buildings with a gross floor area of more than 400 sqm, or independent units or sales areas of commercial buildings with a gross floor area of more than 400 sqm, for the purpose of establishing a shop trading in daily consumer goods. In addition, a permit will now also be required in the case of dividing a sales area with a floor area of more than 400 sqm in a commercial building into a newly created part separated with fixed elements, for the purpose of operating a shop trading in daily consumer goods (a shop in shop). Daily consumer goods include food, perfumes, drugstore products, household cleaning products and chemical goods, and hygiene paper products that serve to satisfy the daily needs of consumers, typically used up or replaced within a year.
Since the new legislation was published, different interpretations have been put forward within the real estate sector in relation to certain aspects of the newly applicable rules. By way of an example, it is not fully clear whether a transaction affecting a whole shopping centre including a supermarket or drugstore of the given size would also be subject to a change of function permit, given that the purpose of the whole transaction cannot be the operation of a shop selling daily consumer goods. In addition, it is also ambiguous whether the simple change of the tenant of a supermarket or drugstore meeting the gross floor area requirements, without a change of the function, would require a permit under the new regulations. Market participants are perhaps relying on narrower interpretations of the new legislation, which might though not be in line with the intents of the regulator.
With regard to the above ambiguities in the new legislation, real estate professionals are urging guidance from the regulator as to the interpretation of certain aspects of the regulations. Until the issuance of any such guidance or the establishment of legal practice by the competent authorities, a more conservative interpretation may be the safest approach.