E-invoice in Hungary — What It Is and How to Issue One Automatically
The e-invoice (e-számla) is the legal equivalent of a paper invoice in Hungary — certified, electronically delivered, and automatically reported to the Hungarian Tax Authority (NAV). Bizonylat includes e-invoice issuance in every plan, including the free one, with automatic NAV submission, email delivery to clients, and 8-year archiving.
What makes a Hungarian e-invoice legally valid?
For an e-invoice to be legally valid in Hungary, it must:
- contain all mandatory data fields per the VAT Act (ÁFA törvény),
- be reported to the NAV Online Invoice system in real time (mandatory since 2021),
- be delivered and stored in a way that preserves integrity.
Bizonylat handles all three automatically. Every e-invoice is validated before submission, sent to NAV via API, and delivered to the client in certified PDF and XML format.
E-invoice vs. paper invoice — why switch?
- Zero printing and postage cost — the e-invoice arrives in the client's inbox instantly.
- Faster payment — clients see the invoice immediately and can pay sooner.
- Automatic archiving — searchable for 8 years, no risk of lost documents.
- Accountant integration — structured data is exportable directly into accounting software.
- NAV compliance by default — no missed reporting deadlines.
In 2026 the EU's ViDA (VAT in the Digital Age) directive is accelerating the shift to mandatory structured e-invoicing across member states. Adopting e-invoicing now puts you ahead of the curve.
How to issue an e-invoice in Bizonylat
- Select or add the client (name, tax number, email).
- Add line items: description, quantity, unit price, VAT rate.
- Set the payment deadline and method.
- Click "Issue" — the system validates, reports to NAV, and emails the client.
The whole process takes under a minute once set up.
E-invoices and your accountant
With Bizonylat's Starter plan and above, your accountant can be invited directly into your account. They get real-time access to all invoices, can export structured data (CSV, XLS) for their accounting software, and see NAV submission statuses — without you needing to forward files by email.
See all plans — e-invoice is available from the free tier.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Hungarian e-invoice (e-számla)?
An e-invoice is a certified digital document with the same legal value as a paper invoice. It is issued electronically, reported to NAV in real time, and delivered to the client in PDF and XML format. No printing is needed.
Is e-invoicing mandatory in Hungary?
Issuing invoices electronically is not yet universally mandatory, but reporting all invoices to NAV Online Invoice in real time has been mandatory since 2021. The EU ViDA package will introduce mandatory structured e-invoicing for B2B transactions progressively.
What is the difference between an e-invoice and a PDF invoice?
A PDF sent by email is not a legally valid e-invoice unless it carries a qualified electronic signature or meets the XSD schema requirements. Bizonylat issues certified, NAV-compliant e-invoices that are legally equivalent to paper invoices.
How does the client receive the e-invoice?
Bizonylat emails the certified e-invoice to the client in both PDF and XML format. The client does not need any special software to open or store it.
How long must e-invoices be kept?
Hungarian accounting law (Sztv.) requires invoices to be stored for 8 years. Bizonylat archives all issued e-invoices securely and makes them searchable and exportable at any time.
Is e-invoice submission to NAV automatic?
Yes. Every invoice issued in Bizonylat is automatically submitted to NAV Online Invoice via API. No manual steps are required.