2026 changes to taxes and other relevant regulations in Hungary

• Business taxes in 2026
• Personnel costs in 2026
• Changes relevant to natural persons

Business taxes in 2026

Our clients are mostly small or medium-sized companies, so here you will find a quick list most relevant to these. For a full list of 2026 tax changes relevant to all businesses including freelancers, read the relevant article in our Finance Blog.

1. VAT exemption increased to HUF 20 million

While most companies in Hungary are subject to VAT, the smallest sometimes decide to remain VAT exempt. They can do this if their yearly revenue remains below a threshold. This threshold has now been raised from HUF 18 million to HUF 20 million.

Further increases are promised in the coming years too: to HUF 22 million in 2027 and HUF 24 million in 2028.

2. KIVA eligibility extended

KIVA, the Small Business Tax is an alternative to TAO, the regular corporate tax, and it offers a favorable tax regime to companies which mostly has expenses related to personnel and which create high value added products. Now the conditions for choosing and staying under KIVA have been extended:

• Your company can enter KIVA if its balance sheet total and yearly revenue is below HUF 6 billion (increased from HUF 3 billion), and stay under KIVA as long as these figures remain below HUF 12 billion (increased from HUF 6 billion).
• Your company can enter KIVA if it has fewer than 100 employees (increased from 50), and it may stay under KIVA as long as it has fewer than 200 employees (increased from 100).

Not sure if KIVA would be good for your business? Check out our KIVA vs. TAO calculator.

3. Retail tax tier limits raised

Retail tax remains the same in 2026, but tier limits are raised. In fact, the new tiers are already applicable for 2025 taxes.

4. Excise duty increase postponed

The excise duty on fuels was supposed to increase by HUF 8-9 / liter starting from January. Instead, the increase is postponed to July 1, 2026. This will affect every sector that relies on transportation anywhere in its supply chain.

5. Quarterly corporate tax advance payments for more businesses

Companies that paid more than HUF 5 million in corporate tax for the previous year are supposed to make advance payments monthly. This threshold has now been raised to HUF 20 million, allowing more companies to make advance payments quarterly, reducing administrative and financial burdens.

6. Simplified reporting for more businesses

Under certain revenue thresholds, microbusinesses are allowed to file simplified reports. These thresholds are now raised, making simplified reporting available to more businesses.

• Yearly balance sheet total: from HUF 150 million to HUF 180 million
• Yearly net revenues: from HUF 300 million to HUF 360 million

7. Reducing burdens on companies under liquidation

Many companies receive shareholder loans throughout their operation. Upon liquidation, these loans should be waived, which is legally considered a “gift”, invoking the gift tax at 18%. From now on, companies under liquidation are not subject to the gift tax anymore.

Personnel costs in 2026

If you take dividends or have employees, keep in mind the following changes. For a full list of HR and payroll related changes in 2026, see the article in our Finance Blog.

1. Minimum wage increased

In Hungary, there are two types of minimum wage, the one actually called minimum wage, relevant to positions that do not require any special qualifications, and the guaranteed minimum salary, relevant to positions that require at least a high school diploma. Starting from 1 January 2026, the minimum wage is raised to HUF 322,800, while the guaranteed minimum salary is increased to HUF 373,200.

This has the following effects:

• The cap on social contribution tax is increased – relevant if you take dividends
• The salaries of employees on minimum wage must be adjusted
• The salaries of other employees should probably be adjusted too
• Labor contracts must be updated to reflect salary increases

2. Better tax benefits for families

If you have employees raising children, they might be eligible for various tax benefits. This can increase the net salaries of parents without costing your company anything. 2026 brings the following changes:

• Family tax benefit: The tax base of parents is significantly decreased depending on the number of children, adding HUF 20,000, HUF 80,000, or HUF 198,000 to the net salary.
• Tax exemption for mothers: Mothers of 3 or 4 children do not pay personal income tax in Hungary. Starting from January 1, 2026, this is extended to mothers under 40 with 2 children, and mothers under 30 with at least 1 child. (Further extensions are promised to mothers with 2 children too: to those under 50 from 2027, and to those under 60 in 2028.)

3. Reduced HR administration

The pink social security booklet has become redundant thanks to the digitalization of administration, and it is now abolished. Existing booklets should be handed over to employees now or when they leave the company.

4. Changes to fringe benefits

While there are no permanent changes to the SZÉP Card, it is currently available for buying groceries (since December 1, 2025, until April 30, 2026) as well as hot meals, holiday accommodation, and recreational activities. Last year the SZÉP Card was also available for home improvements, but that project ended on December 31, 2025.

Changes relevant to natural persons

If you are a long-term resident of Hungary, the following changes might also be relevant to you.

1. Voluntary pension funds no longer available for housing

Until the end of 2025, savings in voluntary pension funds were allowed to be used for housing without paying penalties. The program was ended as previously announced, and it was not extended to 2026.

2. Otthon Start loans may include non-residential areas

The FIX 3% housing loan offered to first-time homeowners in Hungary may now include residential property located in non-residential areas (called “külterületi ingatlan” in Hungarian).

About Helpers Hungary

Here at Helpers, our mission is to make life easier for everyone living, working, and doing business in Hungary. We support our international clients mainly with business setup and residency application, but we also do our best to provide information useful to expats trying to find their way around Hungarian bureaucracy.