Latest news in Hungary - 16 Jun 2025

Hungarian Motorcyclist Detained in Iran: Csaba Gáti, a motorcyclist from Győr, was detained in Iran for four days after he unknowingly traversed an area near a nuclear reactor, leading authorities to suspect him of espionage. Following his release, he has been banned from Iran for ten years and managed to return home after a challenging 15,000-kilometer journey through the Middle East. Read more here

Police Nationwide Sweep for Impaired Drivers: From Monday through Sunday, Hungarian police will conduct checks for impaired and intoxicated drivers as part of the annual ROADPOL operation, with a focused day of action on June 20 for the "Alcohol and Drug Marathon." Last year, similar checks led to over 158,000 stops and 657 proceedings against impaired drivers. Read more here

Tree Care Controversy in Újbuda: Significant tree thinning and removals have left Karinthy Frigyes Street's once lush canopies reduced to stumps, prompting resident outrage amid the summer heat. The district assures that the activities, involving the removal of 8 trees from June 14-17, are professionally justified for the long-term health of the trees, despite public discontent over reduced shade during peak temperatures. Read more here

Rising Job Cuts in Hungarian Industry: Companies in Hungary are increasingly dismissing employees over minor issues as economic pressure mounts, with over 30,000 jobs lost in April alone. Rising layoffs, particularly in the automotive and battery manufacturing sectors, highlight a troubling trend as firms seek to avoid mass layoffs and severance payments amidst a struggling economy. Read more here

New Aldi Store on the Horizon in Zugló: The Aldi logo has appeared at the Zenit Corso shopping center in Zugló, indicating a new store may open in October. This development is part of a larger urban project near Bosnyák Square, involving both residential and commercial spaces, with significant investments by Bayer Construct. Read more here

Algal Bloom in Lake Balaton: Reports indicate that Lake Balaton is experiencing algal blooms, with greenish water noted along both the northern shore near Balatonszepezd and the southern shore near Balatonboglár, despite the unusual cool weather in May. This phenomenon raises concerns for vacationers enjoying the popular lake. Read more here

Cold Front Arrives with Cooler Temperatures: A cold front is moving in this afternoon, bringing scattered showers and possible thunderstorms across most of Hungary, prompting a first-level warning due to lightning risks. Expect significant temperature drops from a high of 22 to 34 degrees, alongside brisk to strong north winds. Read more here

Tax Authority to Auction Confiscated Weapons: The Hungarian Tax Authority (NAV) is set to sell weapons confiscated from a convicted drug dealer, including air pistols and gas alarm guns. These items will be available for bidding in about six weeks through NAV's Electronic Auction Interface, following a strict consignment sale process. Read more here

BudapestGO App Shutdown for Updates: The BudapestGO app will be unavailable from June 16 at 10 PM until June 17 at approximately 7 AM for essential updates, requiring users to update to version 6.3.0 and re-enter credit card details afterward. This change aims to incorporate a backup payment provider to ensure smoother transaction processing in the future. Read more here\-