Latest news in Hungary - 9 Apr 2025

Child Steals Bus in Szolnok: A minor managed to steal a bus using a spare key and crashed it into a pole in Szolnok, causing significant damage to the vehicle and splitting the concrete pole in half. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the young driver, already wanted by authorities, was taken to a children's home. Read more here

Gerecse 50 Trek Postponed: The popular Gerecse 50 performance trek has been postponed due to concerns over foot-and-mouth disease, with organizers hoping to reschedule once the situation stabilizes. Last year, over 4,200 participants took part in this annual event, which was set to celebrate its 43rd edition this year. Read more here

Assault at M3 Highway Over Religious Beliefs: Two Romanian men attacked Austrian men at the Babati rest area on the M3 highway, targeting one victim for his Jewish religion and leading to physical confrontation and property damage. Authorities have arrested the suspects and emphasize their commitment to combating violence against community members. Read more here

Telecom Companies Freeze Fee Increases: Magyar Telekom and 4iG have announced a freeze on fee increases for 2025, maintaining current prices until July 2026, after negotiations with the government aimed at combating inflation. Yettel's response remains pending, but they may be influenced by this decision. Read more here

Government Supports Farms Affected by Epidemic: The Hungarian government will cover wage payments for workers on farms impacted by the foot-and-mouth disease epidemic to help preserve jobs, as announced by Agriculture Minister István Nagy. No new cases have been reported, and a total of 60,000 blood tests conducted across 749 farms have yielded negative results. Additionally, affected farms will receive a one-year loan moratorium. Concerns remain about the burial site for 3,000 cattle in Csemetanya, where locals fear contamination of water sources. Read more here

Lower Banking Fees on the Horizon: The Magyar Nemzeti Bank and the Hungarian Banking Association have agreed on measures that promise to reduce banking costs, including free basic accounts until inflation drops below 4% for three months and improved information for customers on account options. OTP Bank has also announced plans to significantly cut retail banking fees, totaling nearly two billion forints, while maintaining certain beneficial services. Read more here

Growing Trend of Studying Abroad Among Hungarians: A recent study by the Engame Academy reveals that 48.8% of Hungarian students pursue higher education abroad primarily due to the domestic political and social environment, with over 17,500 students studying outside Hungary in the 2023/24 academic year. While many students enjoy the quality of education and experiences abroad, 51.8% of returnees express a desire to relocate again in the future. Read more here

M2 Metro Line Suspended Due to Fire: The M2 metro line is currently halted near Pillangó street due to a fire observed at a stairway. BKK Info has advised passengers to use replacement buses between Örs vezér tér and Puskás Ferenc Stadion and recommended trolleybus 80 for alternative travel. Read more here

White House Addresses Hungarian Corruption Claims: The White House has responded to inquiries about a US report linking Hungarian corruption to trade barriers, stating it reflects the insights of top economists but makes no mention of former Ambassador David Pressman. The 397-page report precedes recent tariffs imposed by the US on the EU, highlighting concerns about Hungary's economic practices. Read more here

iPhone Prices Could Soar to 1.2 Million Forints: Due to Donald Trump's global tariff measures, technology analyst Dan Ives warns that if an iPhone were manufactured in the United States, prices could skyrocket to $3,500 (around 1.2-1.3 million forints), over three times its current cost. This would stem from the significant expenses involved in relocating manufacturing and developing a domestic supply chain. Read more here

Foot-and-Mouth Disease Threatens Hungary's Economy: The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease is projected to cause damages up to 20 billion forints, affecting not just the meat and dairy sectors but the entire agricultural industry, as discussed by Csaba Gyuricza on a recent Telex podcast episode. The situation may worsen due to the underdeveloped processing sector, raising concerns about the competitiveness of Hungarian agricultural products. Read more here

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