New Government measures for the protection and development of Lake Balaton

On 27 August 2025, a new Government decree, commonly known as BATÉK, was published in the Hungarian Gazette with the aim of preserving ecological values, expanding public use and ensuring sustainable use of the areas along the lakeshore. The legislation focuses on tightening the building regulations for Lake Balaton, increasing the proportion of public spaces, and making planning processes more transparent, as set out in Annex 1 of the Decree, known as the “Waterfront Plan”. The Government emphasises that Lake Balaton is not only a tourist destination but also an irreplaceable natural and community asset, and that its free accessibility is a matter of public interest.

The detailed measures rest on several pillars and introduce substantial changes across multiple areas. Public waterfront areas will expand from 593 hectares to 992 hectares, significantly increasing the proportion of beaches, promenades, and green zones. The length of natural shorelines will also grow by 10 kilometers, while promenades will extend from 66 to 95 kilometers, representing nearly a 50 percent increase.

The Decree also tightens restrictions on construction. A total of 1,568 hectares of coastal strip will be designated where no new buildings may be erected, particularly within 30 meters of the shoreline to ensure that the natural environment is given priority. As for the establishment of new ports, the approval of experts from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Directorate of the Balaton Uplands National Park will be required.

The regulation also aims to strengthen the rule of law and transparency. The Waterfront Plan specifies how urban development plans and local building regulations must comply with the new requirements, in which tourism and nature conservation can be harmonised. Public participation likewise plays a crucial role. Municipalities and civil organisations are actively engaged in consultations, supporting both the broad acceptance of the regulation and its effective implementation in practice. In conclusion, the decree outlines a vision in which Lake Balaton is treated as public property and where the preservation of natural values, the expansion of public use, and the transparency of development are ensured in the long term by a new, unified, and stricter building regulation than ever before.