Latest news in Hungary - 17 Jul 2025

Budapest Secures Funding for Public Services: Budapest has finalized a loan agreement with OTP Bank, granting access to 80 billion forints to ensure public service operations through the end of summer. Mayor Gergely Karácsony highlighted that this is a temporary measure and called for a long-term solution to the city's financial challenges, especially due to recent government tax increases. Read more here

Orbán Increases Ministerial Salaries: Starting July 1, salaries for ministers and state secretaries will see a uniform increase of 9.8%, beyond the 2024 inflation rate, raising ministers' pay to 3.88 million forints and state secretaries' to 2.91 million forints monthly. Notably, Ministers Nagy Márton and Lantos Csaba remain at their previous salary of 6.36 million forints, which is over 60% higher than their peers. Read more here

Poland Recalls Ambassador from Hungary: Poland has officially downgraded its diplomatic relations with Hungary by definitively recalling its ambassador, a move attributed to the ongoing political tensions that escalated after Hungary granted asylum to Polish politician Marcin Romanowski, who faces criminal charges in Poland. Hungarian officials express hope for a future resolution, emphasizing the historic friendship between the two nations despite current disputes. Read more here

New On-Call Doctor Fees Announced: Starting soon, on-call doctors in Hungary will earn 7,000 forints per hour on weekdays, 9,000 for weekends, and 13,500 for public holidays, with specialist doctors receiving higher rates. The decree outlines specific responsibilities for on-call duties and documentation requirements, amid ongoing discussions about contractual obligations for participating doctors. Read more here

MVM Expands in Serbia: Hungarian energy company MVM Zrt. has signed a deal to increase its ownership in Serbian firms Energotehnika Južna Bačka and Elektromontaža Kraljevo from 33.4% to 60%, aiming to enhance its footprint in the Serbian energy market. This move aligns with MVM's strategy to participate in significant regional energy projects and capitalize on favorable market conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025. Read more here

Fidesz Investigates USAID Funding: András László, a Fidesz MEP, has been appointed to investigate alleged corruption linked to USAID funding in Hungary, claiming the government aims to expose foreign interference and defend national sovereignty. However, this initiative appears to have stalled as anticipated U.S. cooperation has not materialized, leaving the scandal narrative largely unfulfilled. Read more here

Russian Hacker Group Closes but May Return: The Russian hacker group SECTOR, which infiltrated Hungary's geothermal production system and carried out over 80 attacks since January, has announced it is ceasing operations but hinted at a potential return with a farewell message. Their targets included U.S. oil facilities and various Hungarian control systems, raising concerns about their past and future activities. Read more here

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