From the Bylaws:

Recently founded firms which operate for less than 3 years after their incorporation and which, therefore, have no medium or long-term references, are granted candidate status for one year, upon meeting membership criteria. They may acquire full membership after one year. Candidates have the same obligations as regular members and they pay the same membership fees.

Firms which operate as legal successors of consultancy organisations and which confirm this fact in an adequate declaration, are granted full membership status by taking into account the period of their consulting activities at the legal predecessor.

Membership of firms in foreign ownership: Under Hungarian Corporation law, companies registered in Hungary are considered Hungarian legal persons, regardless of ownership share. Consequently, all Hungarian legal provisions and codes on construction and design, as well as the Association bylaws, are in force, without distinction, for consulting and firms operating in Hungary, even if their majority is owned by foreigners or if thy are exclusively in foreign possession.

Under Hungarian legislation currently in force firms in foreign ownership can not perform design tasks unless they employ Hungarian professionals or foreign individuals disposing of permanent residence permits, for the services in question. (No international convention based on reciprocity has been signed yet.)