When does the deadline start?
The most common mistake: many people count from the date printed on the fizetési meghagyás (payment order). The day of service counts, and in summer and at Christmas the deadline stops.
The 15-day deadline starts on the day of service, not on the printed date. Several days often pass between issue and service.
How to count the 15 days
The day of service does not count; the count starts on the following day. Weekends and public holidays count towards the deadline. If the last day falls on a public holiday, a Saturday or a Sunday, the deadline ends on the next working day.
The ítélkezési szünet
Between 15 July and 20 August, and between 24 December and 1 January, a deadline counted in days does not run - this is the ítélkezési szünet (court recess) (Pp. 148. §). Example: you received the order on Friday, 10 July 2026. From 11 to 14 July four days pass, then the count stops during the recess and continues on 21 August with the fifth day. The fifteenth day is Monday, 31 August 2026. Without the recess the deadline would have ended on 27 July: a difference of more than a month.
Which day is the day of service
- You signed for receipt: the day of receipt.
- You refused to accept: the day of the attempt.
- The letter came back marked "nem kereste" (not collected): the fifth working day after the second delivery attempt. You can find out the day of the second attempt from the közjegyző (notary) by quoting the ügyszám (case number).
Posting on the last day
The deadline is met if you post the ellentmondás (objection) by registered mail to the notary's address on the last day. Ordinary mail does not meet the deadline. If you file in person, the end of the office's opening hours counts, not midnight.
Deadline missed?
An application for relief from the missed deadline (igazolási kérelem) can be filed with the notary. If you learned of the order only from the bailiff, you may still file an ellentmondás within 15 days of service of the enforceable document, but first you must pay the bailiff the costs advanced by the jogosult (claimant) and prove this to the notary. We do not prepare these submissions; consult a lawyer.
How Catius Documents works out the deadline
You enter the day and method of service, we work out the deadline and show it to you before you pay anything.