Hungary became the member of UPOV in 1983. 1991 Act is the latest Act by which Hungary is related to this treaty. Plant variety protection in Hungary started after 1 January 2003 on the basis of Law No. XXXIII of 1995 on the Protection of Inventions by Patents. By that date plant varieties could get patent protection.

A plant variety protection shall be granted for a variety, if it is distinct, uniform, stable and new, and has been given a variety denomination which is apt for registration. Varieties of all botanical genera and species, including hybrids between genera or species may form the object of plant variety protection.

Plant variety protection valid in Hungary can be obtained by filing an application. Following the filing of an application for plant variety protection, the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office (HIPO) examines whether the application satisfies the requirements according the date of filing (indication that plant variety protection is sought, information identifying the applicant or data thereof enabling to get in touch with the applicant, provisional description of the variety, provisional variety denomination, common name and Latin name of the species), the filing fee has been paid, as well as in case of foreign applications the provisional description of the variety has been filed in the Hungarian language.