The Hungarian government has doubled the monthly free cash withdrawal limit for bank customers from HUF 150,000 to HUF 300,000, effective February 1, 2026. The change, applicable to salary and pension recipients, aims to align with increased wages, though it faces opposition from the banking sector.
Hungary's economy expanded by a modest 0.3% in 2025, according to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office. This sluggish performance comes as Prime Minister Viktor Orbán prepares for the highly anticipated parliamentary elections scheduled for April 2026, where he faces a significant challenge from the opposition Tisza party.
Hungary has expressed keen interest in learning from Kyrgyzstan's experience with digital election technologies and the implementation of gender quotas. This interest was conveyed during a meeting in Bishkek between Hungarian Ambassador Sándor Dorogi and Aidana Zhupueva, Deputy Chairperson of Kyrgyzstan's Central Election Commission, on January 23, 2026. Discussions also covered bilateral cooperation and the establishment of a Hungarian polling station in Kyrgyzstan.
A new Human Rights Watch report highlights a nearly threefold increase in Hungary's elderly poverty rate, rising from 6.3% in 2018 to 16.1% in 2023. Inadequate pensions, coupled with soaring inflation, are forcing hundreds of thousands of older Hungarians to make difficult choices between essential needs like food, medicine, and heating.
New opinion polls in Hungary indicate that the opposition Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar, has increased its lead over the ruling Fidesz party ahead of the April 2026 parliamentary elections. This marks a significant shift in the country's political landscape.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has initiated a national petition opposing the European Union's plans to finance Ukraine, stating Hungary 'will not pay.' The move targets proposed EU financial support, including a recent €90 billion package, which Orbán claims would burden Hungarian taxpayers and mortgage Europe's future. This action continues Hungary's long-standing opposition to significant EU aid for Kyiv.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has postponed the official announcement of the Fidesz party's prime ministerial candidate until February 20. The decision comes as recent opinion polls indicate a decline in Fidesz's ratings, with some surveys showing the party trailing the opposition Tisza party ahead of the April 2026 parliamentary elections.
Crypto giants MoonPay and Strike have ceased operations in Hungary, effective January 2026, citing new legislative changes. The move follows a broader trend of firms withdrawing due to stringent regulations, including a mandatory 'validator' system and criminalization of unauthorized crypto activities.
Hungary's government, through Minister Gergely Gulyás, has labeled opposition leader Péter Magyar 'mentally ill' following Magyar's claims of government plans to sow panic before the 2026 elections. This comes as Magyar's Tisza Party emerges as a significant challenger to the ruling Fidesz, intensifying the political climate in Hungary.
Hungarian oil company MOL Group is reportedly poised to acquire Serbia's sole oil company, NIS, following US sanctions on its Russian majority owners. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has indirectly confirmed these negotiations, which are critical for Serbia's energy security and industrial output, with a key deadline approaching.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán speculated in a recent M1 interview that the United States could forge a peace agreement with Russia in 2026, potentially excluding both Ukraine and European nations. He highlighted perceived strategic disagreements between the US and the EU regarding the conflict, suggesting Hungary stands to benefit from normalized US-Russia relations.
For the first time in the 2025/2026 respiratory infection season, influenza has become the leading cause of respiratory hospitalizations in Hungary, surpassing COVID-19. Data from the 51st week of 2025 shows 167 severe acute respiratory infection hospitalizations, with influenza accounting for 32.3% and COVID-19 for 9.0%.
Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced that the country will not admit any migrants in 2026 and will refuse to contribute financially to the European Union's migration pact. This declaration reiterates Hungary's long-standing opposition to the EU's migration policies, which are set to take effect in July 2026.
Hungary's ruling Fidesz-KDNP alliance is preparing a comprehensive reform of the local government system, slated for parliamentary submission after the 2026 general elections if they secure another term. Consultations led by Minister Tibor Navracsics are set to begin in January, focusing on financing, powers, and the status of mayors.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has intensified his criticism of the European Union, labeling it a 'disintegrating power' and accusing Brussels of deliberately escalating tensions with Russia over the war in Ukraine. His remarks come amid ongoing disputes over financial aid to Kyiv and the use of frozen Russian assets.
Hungary has announced it will not participate in the European Union's 'war loan' for Ukraine. Minister Gergely Gulyás stated on December 23, 2025, that Budapest believes the funds are unlikely to be repaid, viewing the loan as a non-recoverable financial transfer. This decision aligns with Hungary's consistent policy of not financing the conflict's prolongation, with the Czech Republic and Slovakia also opting out of the joint borrowing scheme.
Hungary's current account surplus reached EUR 0.93 billion in the third quarter of 2025, a significant increase from EUR 0.38 billion in the same period last year, according to the Hungarian National Bank. The figure, however, fell short of market expectations of EUR 1 billion.
Revolut has ceased all cryptocurrency services for its Hungarian customers, effective December 18, 2025, citing new stringent local regulations. Domestic platform CoinCash also suspended operations, impacting the country's crypto market.
Tens of thousands of Hungarians, led by opposition figure Péter Magyar, protested in Budapest on December 13, 2025, demanding Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's resignation. The demonstrations were sparked by new child abuse allegations in state-run juvenile institutions, following a previous scandal that led to high-profile resignations.
Hungary has reported a significant increase in Hepatitis A infections, reaching a total of 1,912 cases by the 49th week of 2025, according to the National Centre for Public Health and Pharmacy (NNGYK). This marks an increase of 55 cases in a single week, highlighting an exceptionally severe epidemic compared to previous years.
