Child benefits in Hungary

Maternity benefits

When a mother goes on maternity leave, she becomes eligible for the below allowances one after the other. They are all paid by the state (so not the employer), and the receivable sum gradually decreases from the full absence pay* to a minimum sum, which is supposed to encourage women to go back to work. However, these allowances are not forfeited if the child is sent to daycare while the mother works or studies (although they do get forfeited if the mother stays at home while the child is at the daycare).

Under special conditions, if the mother is not available, other family members might become eligible for these benefits as the primary caregiver of the child, such as the father, a grandparent, a foster parent, or an adoptive parent.

The sum and the availability of these child benefits might be different (higher and longer) if the child is chronically ill or disabled.

*Absence pay: the payment an employee receives instead of their salary during their paid time off. It is usually the same as the gross salary, and it is also taxed the same.

Maternity allowances one after the other

Maternity allowance (“anyasági támogatás”)

A one-time allowance of HUF 64,125 for a single child, or HUF 85,500 for twins in 2025 to be granted by the state to the mother after the child is born. Application is allowed within 6 months after birth if the mother went to see a doctor at least 4 times during pregnancy.

CSED or infant-care allowance (“csecsemőgondozási díj”)

Available until the end of the maternity leave, so at most for the first 168 days after giving birth, if the mother was insured for at least a year before going on a maternity leave. CSED is the same as the absence pay of the mother, after which you only pay a 15% personal income tax.

GYED or child-care allowance (“gyermekgondozási díj”)

Available after the maternity leave until the child turns 2 years old (or if they are twins, until they turn 3). GYED is 70% of the absence pay or at most HUF 407,120 / month in 2025, after which you pay a 10% pension contribution and a 15% personal income tax.

GYES or child-care allowance phase 2 (“gyermekgondozási segítő ellátás”)

Available from the time GYED becomes unavailable until the child turns 3 years old (or if they are twins, until they must go to school). GYES is HUF 28,500 / month in 2025, after which you pay a 10% pension contribution.

GYET or child-rearing allowance (“gyermeknevelési támogatás”)

Available only to families raising 3 or more children, from the time GYES becomes unavailable until the youngest child turns 8 years old. GYET is the same as GYES, HUF 28,500 / month in 2025, after which you pay a 10% pension contribution.

Tax benefits for mothers

Under certain conditions, mothers might become eligible for tax benefits that will reduce their personal income tax, increasing their net salaries.

NÉTAK

NÉTAK is the tax benefit of mothers of four or more children. If a woman is eligible for family allowance for at least 4 children, she is not required to pay personal income tax after most of her income. Once the children reach adulthood, this benefit turns into a lifelong exemption. Read more here.

Tax benefit of mothers under 30

To encourage women to have children at a younger age, women who bear children under 30 can reduce their personal income tax until they turn 30. Their income will be tax free up to the average salary, so up to HUF 656,785 monthly in 2025, meaning an at most HUF 98,518 addition to their monthly net salary. Read more here.

Additional child benefits

Beside the above child benefits available to the mother or, in some cases, the primary caregiver, the parents also become eligible for additional benefits. Before applying for these, the eligible parents should decide which of them would receive the benefit. If they are divorced or separated, they can split these child benefits 50-50, and even their new partners may become eligible.

Family allowance (“családi pótlék”)

A monthly allowance available from the birth of the child as long as the child remains dependent and in school, but at most until the (adult) child turns 20 – or 23 if they are learners with special needs. The monthly sum depends on the number of children and their health status. In 2025, it is HUF 12,200 for 1 child, HUF 13,300 / child for 2 children, and HUF 16,000 / child for 3 or more children. Read more here.

Family tax benefit (“családi kedvezmény”)

The family tax benefit reduces the tax base of the eligible parent, so usually the parent who earns more is chosen to receive this benefit. The available reductions and savings depend on the number of children. The family tax benefit is being increased in 2025 and 2026. Read more about this here.

How to apply for child benefits

To apply for child benefits, it is best to consult your accountant or the accountant (or payroll specialist) of your employer. They will be able to tell you how and when to apply for each benefit, even though strictly speaking, only the tax benefits are relevant for the employer, since allowances are paid by the state.

During the consultation, make sure to mention your marital status, all your children (even if they are adults), and your immigration status, since some nationalities are not eligible for every child benefit (read more here).

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