Changes to the dividend tax in Hungary 2019

Last updated on 22 February 2024.

Personal income tax

As a rule of thumb, you have to pay a personal income tax after every income you as an individual acquire. The personal income tax in Hungary is currently 15%, as has been for some years. That does not change in 2019.

Social contribution tax instead of health contribution

Previously, a health contribution of 14% was also to be paid after dividends you take from your company, with a maximum of HUF 450,000 / year. From 2019 January, you do not pay a health contribution. Instead, you pay a social contribution tax of 19.5%, maximized in HUF 697,320 /year in 2019.

UPDATE: social contribution tax is 13% as of 1 January 2022. In 2024, the maximum is HUF 832,416 (EUR 2,100) / year.

While the 2019 change seemed a raise in taxes to pay, it might have actually decreased them. You might be paying social contribution tax after other types of income as well (e.g. if you also take a salary from your Hungarian company), and the social contribution tax you have to pay per year is calculated cumulatively. As a result, the social contribution tax you pay after other income decreases the maximum social contribution tax you pay after the dividend you take from your Hungarian company.

Seems complicated? Consult your accountant!

If you want to take dividend from your Hungarian company, always consult your accountant. Make sure you understand how much dividend tax you have to pay in total, and pay it in accordance with regulations. If you are a tax resident of another country as well as Hungary, other regulations might also apply. In that case, ask for the help of a tax consultant. Your accountant can arrange the tax consultancy for you.

Click here to learn all the basic facts about taking dividend in Hungary

Click here to learn how to calculate taxes on dividend in Hungary.

Click here to  see how your tax residency affects taking dividend from your Hungarian company, or here to learn in detail about tax residency.