Latest news in Hungary - 25 Feb 2025

Real Estate Fraudster Arrested: A 37-year-old man from Csömör has been charged with defrauding victims of over 40 million forints through bogus property deals since August 2021. After taking deposits from multiple individuals and failing to deliver on promised investments, he was arrested in Gödöllő and is now facing detention following a court order. Read more here.

Hungary Tops EU Inflation Charts Again: Hungary's inflation rate rose to 5.7% in January 2025, making it the highest in the European Union, compared to the EU average of 2.8% and 2.5% for eurozone countries. Romania dropped to second place with an inflation rate of 5.3%. Read more here

New Ukrainian Ambassador Takes Office in Budapest: Sándor Fegyir has officially begun his role as Ukraine's ambassador in Budapest, coinciding with the third anniversary of the Russian invasion. A Transcarpathian native and a professor, Fegyir emphasizes his commitment to strengthening Ukrainian-Hungarian relations and Ukraine's aspirations towards NATO and the EU. Read more here

Viktor Orbán Opens Parliamentary Spring Session: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán kicks off the parliamentary spring session with a speech today, notably marked by the absence of key opposition figures like Ferenc Gyurcsány, who is undergoing knee surgery. With the dissolution of the LMP faction leaving the opposition fragmented, Orbán will likely discuss his ongoing themes such as international relations and political funding as the parliament gears up for the 2026 elections. Read more here

Tragic Discovery of Missing Twin Sisters: The cause of death for the missing Hungarian twin sisters, Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, has been confirmed as drowning. The sisters disappeared in Scotland on January 7, with their bodies found on January 31, sparking a police investigation into their last known movements and communications. Arrangements for their repatriation are currently being organized. Read more here 

Albertirsa Family Murderer Sentenced: N. Arnold has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murders of his wife and daughter in Albertirsa during the summer of 2023, with the possibility of parole in 30 years. The Pest County Prosecutor's Office is appealing for a true life sentence, as the court recognized prior abuse allegations against him, including a restraining order sought by his wife. Read more here

Lénárd Darázs Appointed New Rector of ELTE: Lénárd Darázs has been elected as the new rector of Eötvös Loránd University, starting August 1, 2025, succeeding László Borhy. Darázs, currently vice-rector and a law professor, highlighted the challenges of funding and positioning ELTE amid ongoing changes in higher education in Hungary. Read more here

VAT Refund for Pensioners Announced: The Hungarian government will implement a VAT refund for pensioners on vegetables, fruits, and dairy products, with expected monthly limits between 10,000 and 15,000 HUF. This could cost the state up to 300 billion HUF annually but may not significantly benefit those on limited incomes, as many pensioners spend less than the refund cap, raising concerns about potential exploitation and administrative complexity. Read more here

Tax Exemption for Families with Two Children: Viktor Orbán announced that starting in 2025, mothers with three children will be exempt from personal income tax, followed by those with two children in subsequent years. While aimed at easing financial burdens, a GKI analysis reveals that this measure disproportionately favors wealthier families, potentially leading to a budget revenue loss of around 1.3 trillion forints. Read more here

Assault Incident at Budapest Hotel: A man posing as a hotel security guard assaulted minors at a Budapest hotel on November 25, 2023. The prosecution is seeking prison time for the suspect, who intimidated the girls and initiated inappropriate conversations before forcing one victim into compliance. Read more here

Man Arrested for Blocking Tram: A 31-year-old man, Renátó H., was interrogated by police after a video showed him attempting to stop a tram on the 4-6 line in Budapest for several minutes, during which he made unintelligible sounds and hit the vehicle. He faces charges of public disorder as the police investigate the incident further. Read more here

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