Latest news in Hungary - 21 Mar 2025

Taxi Driver Murder in Pestszentimre: A 19-year-old man has been arrested for the murder of a retired taxi driver over a debt of less than 500,000 forints. The suspect confessed to assaulting the victim but claimed he did not intend to kill him; he was detained for 30 days following a court hearing. Read more here

Hungary Draws Against Turkey in 1000th Match: The Hungarian national football team played to a 0-0 draw against Turkey in Istanbul, marking their 1000th official match. The match comes with high stakes as Hungary aims to stay in Division A of the Nations League, while Turkey seeks to secure its position. Read more here

Tiszaeszlár Train Accident: A tragic train accident in Tiszaeszlár occurred when a pickup truck drove in front of a motor train, resulting in the train derailing. The 60-year-old truck driver was killed, and among the 15 train passengers, one suffered a head injury while two minors were hospitalized for observation. Drone footage of the incident has been released by MÁV Group. Read more here

Kecskemét University Faces Audit Over Massive Investment Losses: The State Audit Office has revealed that Kecskemét University Foundation mismanaged 127.5 billion forints, investing heavily in Optima Investment Ltd.'s corporate bonds contrary to legal guidelines and expert advice, resulting in significant financial losses. The investigation highlights personal conflicts of interest and a lack of external advice, leading to questionable decision-making and an unprecedented risk concentration. Read more here

Facial Recognition Could Penalize Littering: Hungary may soon deploy facial recognition technology to identify and penalize individuals for minor offenses like littering, even if captured by street cameras during events, such as commemorations or Pride. This new approach raises concerns about privacy and the potential for misuse, as human oversight in identifying offenders has been removed. Read more here

Buda Castle Renovations Under Scrutiny: MP Ákos Hadházy has raised concerns over the extensive demolitions at the northern wing of Buda Castle, revealing that the only remaining section is the original Danube-facing facade, while the rest has been completely torn down during renovation efforts. The future of the palace remains uncertain as further details from the National Hauszmann Program are awaited. Read more here

NAV Cracks Down on Home Renovation Fraud: The National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) is intensifying its efforts to combat fraudulent invoices related to the rural home renovation support program, which provides 50% funding up to 3 million forints. With increasing scrutiny and site inspections, NAV aims to ensure that support reaches those genuinely in need while holding accountable those who exploit the system. Read more here

Trash-Filled Barge Controversy in Újpest Bay: Rowers in Újpest Bay were shocked to find a barge filled with trash docked at the BKV boat station, causing concerns over maintenance and safety. BKV clarified that the barge is part of their reserve pontoons awaiting refurbishment, and spring maintenance is planned to address the situation. Read more here

Orbán Delegates Political Debates: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán continues to avoid direct debates with opposition leader Péter Magyar, assigning politically charged engagements to others within Fidesz. Notably, state secretary Attila Fülöp and communications director Tamás Menczer have taken on confrontational roles in public discussions, signaling a strategic shift in the party's approach ahead of upcoming elections. Read more here

Hell Energy Owners Sue TASZ: Following a recent court ruling that favored Forbes, the owners of Hell Energy are suing the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (TASZ) for 10 million forints, claiming their personal rights were violated when the organization reported on the case. The lawsuit is part of a broader criticism that powerful entities are using legal tools to suppress public debate and press freedom. Read more here

Bank Fees Under Scrutiny: Márton Nagy, Hungary's Minister of National Economy, has called for a reduction in bank fees, which have surged by as much as 26% in account maintenance since February. Ongoing negotiations with the Banking Association aim to revert fees to earlier levels, while special offers for families and pensioners are also being sought amidst a backdrop of rising financial costs for consumers. Read more here

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