In 2024, Hungary introduced new regulations concerning the employment of guest workers. The new law, which took effect at the start of the year, outlines specific criteria for obtaining a guest worker residence permit. Under the new regulations, a guest worker can receive a residence permit if the following conditions are met:

To support the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing, on 26 June 2024, the Hungarian National Bank issued two new regulations, incorporating changes in domestic legislation, guidelines of the European Banking Authority and lessons learned from supervisory experience.

Since 1 July 2023, interest income has been subject to a 13% social contribution tax (‘szocho’) in addition to the 15% personal income tax (‘szja’). Originally this was only for the duration of the emergency caused by the armed conflict in Ukraine. However, a new act published in the Hungarian Official Gazette on 18 June 2024, changed the situation.

In July 2024, the Hungarian Central Statistical Office began sending formal notifications via email regarding changes to the statistical codes of various activities. Although the required procedure takes only a few minutes, non-compliant companies may face penalties.

From 29 July 2024, the administrative service fees relating to procedures for land registry, plot formation, land surveying and mapping, and the provision of data from the land register and the state databases will be increased significantly.

In its latest decision of May 16, 2024 the European Court of Justice (ECJ) reflected on the Hungarian foreign VAT refund regime. ECJ established once again that non-compliance with formal requirements should not prevent reimbursement of VAT provided that substantive requirements can and have been satisfied.

In a recent judicial case, the courts examined the legality of a termination notice delivered via postal service, where the core issue revolves around whether the employer fulfilled the legal requirement of notifying the employee of the termination of employment according to the Hungarian Labor Code.

To further safeguard Hungary’s natural values and resources, promote a greener economy, and enhance the circular economy, the Hungarian Government introduced the possibility of two-level proceedings in environmental authority cases starting from 1 July 2024. This measure aims to strengthen the protection of public health and the environment.

The grace period until 30 June 2024 is slowly expiring for manufacturers to market products that do not yet comply with the Deposit Refund System (DRS) rules.

A bill amending certain laws affecting the functioning of the state was adopted by the Parliament in the middle of June 2024. The bill postpones again the entry into force of the new Land Registry Act to 15 January 2025. In addition, the bill amends provisions in several different areas of law (e.g. health, education, immigration).

Approximately 1.5 million condominiums are affected by an amendment of the Condominium Act regarding the registration of common representatives.

The amendment to the ESG Act was published in the Hungarian Official Gazette of 17 April 2024 and entered into force in May 2024.

Finance Minister Mihaly Varga announced on 4 May 2024 that the Government will prolong the preferential VAT regime for new homes for an additional two years.

According to a statement made by the Association of Hungarian Insurers, from 16 July 2024, the range of vehicles for which compulsory motor vehicle liability insurance must be taken out will be extended.

With a new function on the National Tax and Customs Administration’s (NAV) mobile application (“NAV Mobile”), anyone can check whether their employer has notified the tax authority about their employment in accordance with the employment contract.

In February 2020 the Hungarian Competition Authority initiated a competition supervisory procedure against Viber Media (operator of the Viber app, seated in Luxembourg) which was likely to infringe the prohibition of unfair commercial practice against consumers. During the procedure, Viber made commitments aiming at the avoidance of penalties. The procedure ended on 16 May 2024 with a decision where the authority, without finding an infringement or lack of infringement, obliged Viber to fulfil its commitments.

Recently, the Artificial Intelligence Coalition (MIK) informed the relevant committee of the Hungarian Parliament about possible trends in the sector. The MIK’s goal is clear: to put Hungary at the forefront of AI developments and applications in Europe and to become a member of the international AI community. In this process, it will bring together users, market players, academia, professional organisations and public institutions.

We are proud to announce that KCG Partners have advised Corvinus Zrt., the Hungarian state-owned investment fund in the strategic acquisition of majority interest of Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport.