Latest news in Hungary - 12 Mar 2025

Low Rates of Drunk Driving in Budapest: A recent police traffic safety check in Budapest revealed that only about 0.35% of drivers were found to be intoxicated, with just 23 out of 6,614 drivers tested. Criminal proceedings were initiated against 12 drivers, while administrative fines totaling 1,336,000 forints were imposed in 11 cases. Read more here

Police Crackdown on Drug Dealers in Pest County: Over 150 officers conducted a massive operation across 36 locations in Pest county, resulting in the arrest of 8 dealers and the detainment of 33 drug users. The operation seized nearly 1.5 kilograms of drugs and confiscated over 600,000 forints linked to drug trafficking, supporting a government-backed campaign against drug abuse led by a newly appointed commissioner. Read more here

Profit Cap Exemption for Small Shops: The government's newly announced margin cap will not apply to small shops, only affecting retail traders with net revenues over 1 billion forints in 2023. With current inflation at 5.6% and notable price increases for staple goods, this exemption might allow smaller outlets to sustain higher profit margins than larger chains. Read more here

Hungary to Ban Artificial Meat: The Hungarian government has proposed a ban on the production and sale of lab-grown meat, allowing only its use for medical and veterinary purposes, citing concerns over health and environmental impact. This follows Italy's lead as the first EU country to implement a similar ban in 2023. Read more here

Record Royalties for Hungarian Songwriters: In 2024, Artisjus distributed a historic 13.54 billion HUF in royalties, reflecting a 13% increase from the previous year, with 57.5% going to Hungarian authors. The number of songwriters exceeded 20,000, contributing to a record 26,284 new songs registered, as the music industry continues its recovery post-pandemic. Read more here

Tisza Party Leads in Recent Poll: A new Medián survey shows that 46% of committed voters would support the Tisza Party, giving them a 9-point lead over Fidesz-KDNP at 37%. The poll indicates a strong desire for a government change with 56% of respondents favoring new leadership, while 90% of Tisza supporters are likely to vote compared to 80% of Fidesz supporters. Read more here

Border Checks Amid Foot-and-Mouth Outbreak: Slovak police have implemented border checks at three crossings from Hungary as a precaution against a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Kisbajcs, where 1,700 infected animals will be culled. Although no infections have been detected in Slovakia, authorities advise residents to avoid travel to affected areas in Hungary and report any animal health issues immediately. Read more here

Tax Exemption for Mothers Under Scrutiny: Viktor Orbán's recent announcement that mothers with two or more children will receive a lifetime exemption from personal income tax is seen more as political strategy than a true solution to Hungary's declining birth rates, which experts warn will not be significantly impacted by this measure. Social policy specialists highlight the need for more stable support systems for young families to effectively address population issues, as changes in current policies contribute to uncertainty among parents. Read more here

Kecskemét Mercedes Factory to Double Capacity: The Mercedes factory in Kecskemét is set to double its manufacturing capacity, starting series production at a new facility in early 2025. This expansion will boost production to 400,000 cars annually, joining Hungary to an elite group of five European countries capable of such output. Read more here

Concerns Over Government Price Cap: Péter Ákos Bod, former president of the Hungarian National Bank, warns that the government's new price margin cap will disproportionately burden small business owners and fail to address rising inflation. He argues that the cap's impact is superficial, raising concerns about service price increases and the challenges retailers face under current economic pressures. Read more here

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