Latest news in Hungary - 14 May 2025

NAV Extends Hours for Tax Filings: As the deadline for personal income tax returns approaches, the National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) will extend customer service hours on May 20, 2025, from 8:30 AM to 6 PM, and their Info Line will be available until 8 PM for inquiries. Taxpayers can access their draft returns online via DÁP or Client Portal+, and the agency advises filing early to avoid last-minute issues. Read more here

P+R Parking Fees Set to Rise in Budapest: Starting June 1, daytime parking fees at Budapest's P+R facilities will increase to a uniform 500 forints, with monthly passes going up from 6,750 forints to 7,500 forints. The new rates will apply to ten parking lots across the city, including Köki Terminál and Örs vezér tere. Read more here

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New Bill Threatens NGOs in Hungary: A controversial bill proposed by Fidesz MP János Halász seeks to impose stringent regulations on organizations receiving foreign support, potentially jeopardizing their existence. Critics, including Ákos Hadházy and Marton Tompos from Momentum, warn that this could lead to the suppression of independent media and civil organizations, urging a unified societal response to prevent a democratic rollback. Read more here

Massive Fish Die-Off at Lake Velence: Around 1.8 tons of dead fish, predominantly small silver crucian carp, have been collected from Lake Velence amid a significant fish die-off attributed to a pathogen and stress from rapid temperature changes during spawning. Authorities are conducting further investigations, with no immediate health risks to humans reported from the incident. Read more here

Corruption Trial in Zugló: Former Zugló mayors Csaba Horváth and Csaba Tóth, among others, are facing bribery charges related to the parking system, with accusations of soliciting millions in kickbacks from a businessman known as Zsolt F. The trial has begun with Horváth denying the claims and suggesting he only met Zsolt F. out of boredom. Sentences of up to six years in prison are being sought for the defendants. Read more here

89-Year-Old Woman Abducted in Fraud Scheme: Four individuals have been arrested for abducting an 89-year-old woman and selling her apartment in Óbuda for 60 million HUF without her consent. The elderly woman was held captive while the fraudsters tried to access the remaining proceeds; police have recovered 45 million HUF and are still investigating. Read more here\

Extended Metro Hours in Budapest: Beginning June 1, Budapest's metro will run until 1 AM on Friday and Saturday nights, with last departures around midnight on weekdays. The initiative aims to improve night transport and will include changes to corresponding bus routes, enhancing late-night accessibility across the city. Read more here

Béla Tarr to Speak at Budapest Pride Opening: Esteemed filmmaker Béla Tarr will deliver a speech at the opening of this year's Budapest Pride, emphasizing its message of freedom. The event will also be hosted by RTL presenter Lilu, who stressed the importance of solidarity against hate speech. Amidst proposed restrictions on the right to assembly by the Fidesz party, protests against the ban on Pride have emerged across Hungary. Read more here

Tougher Animal Protection Regulations Proposed: New amendments to animal protection laws in Hungary may soon classify begging with a live animal as an offense, imposing fines of 100,000 forints. Additionally, the proposal aims to ban live animals as raffle prizes and increase penalties for animal cruelty, including harsher sentences for violations occurring in dog kennels or shelters. Read more here

Mathematician András Stipsicz Awarded Bolyai Prize: Esteemed mathematician András Stipsicz has received the Bolyai Prize for his significant contributions to differential topology, particularly in low-dimensional spaces. Recognized as Hungary's most prestigious scientific award, the Bolyai Prize includes a €100,000 cash prize and underscores Hungary's growing reputation in modern mathematics. Read more here

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