Hungary info corner

Hungary published stricter Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) control and audit rules on 7 August 2026, tightening conflict-of-interest screening and mandating use of the ARACHNE+ risk-assessment system. The measures form part of a final push to complete all supermilestones before the 31 August deadline for securing EUR 10bln in EU recovery funding. Separately, Hungary's membership of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) took legal effect on 2 August 2026.

Hungary's new energy development plan signals a broad policy push to strengthen energy security, accelerate grid and storage investment, and expand wind energy capacity. For market participants, the key points to watch are the expected 31 August 2026 wind tender, the requirement for project-level storage, the proposed form of state participation in new wind projects, and the wider rollout of smart meters as a precursor to more flexible retail pricing.

Hungary must complete RRF "supermilestones" by 31 August 2026 to unlock EUR 10bln in frozen EU funding (EUR 6.5bln in grants and EUR 3.5bln in loans). The government has accelerated its legislative agenda, but the release of funds remains conditional on the European Commission confirming full compliance with the agreed reforms.

The European Union is overhauling its anti-money laundering framework. This article outlines what businesses need to know and explains why they should begin preparing without delay.

Executive summary: Hungary's Parliament has adopted an act, which was promulgated in the Hungarian Official Gazette on 31 July 2026, abolishing the mandatory "validation" check that crypto-asset conversions currently have to pass before they are converted into money or another crypto-asset.

Executive summary: The new Cybersecurity Decree, which came into force on 11 June 2026, unifies and simplifies the requirements for cybersecurity auditors and abolishes the previous differentiated system based on cybersecurity classes. Under the new regime, all auditors must meet uniform conditions regardless of the cybersecurity classification of the systems they audit.

Executive Summary: President Sulyok signed into law the reversal of Hungary's ICC withdrawal. The law entered into force on 29 May 2026, repealing the 2025 withdrawal decision. Hungary remains a full member of the ICC with all corresponding legal obligations, including cooperation with arrest warrants.

Executive Summary: PM Magyar and Austrian Chancellor Stocker agreed in Vienna to hold a joint cabinet session in Gödöllő in September 2026, signalling a diplomatic reset with Austria – following a similar opening with Poland.

Executive Summary: PM Magyar confirmed that a new 2026 budget is the government's immediate priority, citing the poor state of inherited public finances. Tax reform – including review of the special progressive retail tax criticised by Austria and the European Commission as discriminatory – will follow in the medium to long term.

Executive Summary: Hungary's new government under PM Péter Magyar has committed to reduce Russian energy dependence by 2035 through supply diversification, while maintaining regulated household energy prices. Unlocking ~€10 billion in frozen EU funds by end of August 2026 is a top priority. The future of the Paks II nuclear project is uncertain.

A dedicated auction pipeline launches in weeks, backed by EUR 1.5bln in RRF-funded grid investment