On 18 November 2025, the Hungarian Parliament adopted both the first and the second autumn tax packages. We have already covered the summer Hungarian tax package in June and the first autumn tax package at the end of October. Now we summarise the key elements of the second 2025 autumn tax package. These measures primarily aim to reduce taxes, simplify administration, and encourage investment.
Corporate income tax
Development tax incentive: new opportunities to support clean technologies
The second 2025 autumn tax package introduces a new development tax incentive for investments aimed at increasing manufacturing capacity for clean technologies. Key features of the development tax incentive:
- Available in connection with commissioning and operation.
- For rural investments, support may reach up to 35% (maximum EUR 350 million), while for developments in Budapest, up to 15% (maximum EUR 150 million).
- Granted only for investments that, without state aid, would be implemented outside the EEA.
- Existing notifications may be amended to change the legal basis.
- Can be combined with cash subsidies, subject to the above intensity limits.
With the introduction of this new category, development tax incentives for investments considered strategic for the transition to a net-zero economy will be discontinued.
New tax incentive for environmental investments
From 1 January 2026, a new corporate tax incentive will apply to environmental investments with a present value of at least HUF 100 million. Depending on the purpose of the investment, the incentive may cover 100% of eligible costs (for damage mitigation and rehabilitation), or 70% of eligible costs (for other ecological developments) but capped at the HUF equivalent of EUR 30 million. SMEs may apply higher rates in certain cases.
Simplification of corporate tax advance payments
To reduce administrative burdens, from 2026 the threshold for corporate tax advance payments will increase from HUF 5 million to HUF 20 million, allowing more SMEs to switch to quarterly payments. For calendar-year taxpayers, this affects the advance payment period declared in the annual return submitted by 31 May 2026 for the 2025 tax year. The transition from monthly to quarterly payments may start in July 2026. The last quarterly advance must be paid by the 20th day of the third month of the quarter (typically 20 December).
Robin Hood tax
New investment tax incentive
From 2026, a new investment allowance for energy-related developments will be introduced under the Robin Hood tax. Key features:
- Applicable in the tax year of commissioning and the following five years.
- Deductible up to 80% of the payable tax.
- Maximum amount: 50% of the difference between acquisition cost and adjusted depreciation.
- Requires an investment incentive certificate.
- Subject to a five-year maintenance obligation.
Small business tax (KIVA)
Expanded eligibility
From 1 December 2025, entry thresholds for small business tax (Hungarian abbreviation: KIVA) will double: average statistical headcount will increase from 50 to 100 employees, revenue and balance sheet total from HUF 3 billion to HUF 6 billion. These figures must include related companies at entry. Exit thresholds will also double, allowing more medium-sized businesses to remain under this regime.
Retail tax
Lower tax burden
As part of the second 2025 autumn tax package, retail tax brackets will change from 2025. Retailers will be exempt up to HUF 1 billion taxable base (previously HUF 500 million).
- Upper limit for the 0.15% rate: from HUF 30 billion to HUF 50 billion.
- Upper limit for the 1% rate: from HUF 100 billion to HUF 150 billion.
- The highest 4.5% rate applies only above HUF 150 billion.
Fuel retailers remain unaffected. These changes reduce tax burdens for small businesses, especially those with revenue below HUF 1 billion. If the amount of advance payments due and paid in 2025 exceeds the expected tax base for 2025 and the tax payable calculated according to the new tax brackets, it will be possible to reclaim the difference as early as 2025.
Advertising tax returns
From 1 July 2026, advertising tax will return in Hungary. Non-compliance may result in severe penalties. Failure to submit notifications or declarations repeatedly may incur fines up to HUF 10 million, failure to file returns may trigger tax audits, with tax assessed by estimation. Strict compliance with legal requirements is therefore essential.
Increasing bank tax, reduced relief
For credit institutions and financial enterprises, the special tax rate will rise to 10% on the portion of the tax base up to HUF 20 billion and to 30% on the portion exceeding this limit. Relief for increasing holdings of HUF-denominated (non-retail) government securities remains available for 2026, but at a reduced rate (30%).
Changes affecting SMEs
Higher VAT exemption threshold
To reduce administrative burdens, the annual revenue threshold for VAT exemption will increase in three steps:
- From 1 January 2026 to HUF 20 million.
- From 1 January 2027 to HUF 22 million.
- From 1 January 2028 to HUF 24 million.
Flat-rate taxpayers: more savings for small businesses
From 2026, the cost ratio for flat-rate individual entrepreneurs will rise in two steps:
- First to 45%, then
- from 2027 to 50%.
Social contribution tax and administrative relief for sole proprietors and partnerships
For full-time sole proprietors and partnerships, the minimum monthly base for the social contribution tax currently differs from the social security contribution base due to a 112.5% multiplier. To ensure unified treatment of the social contribution tax and social security contributions, this multiplier will be abolished from 1 January 2026. Going forward, the base for the social contribution tax will equal 100% of the minimum wage (or guaranteed minimum wage), just like the social security contribution base. For partnerships, this change may also positively affect the KIVA tax base.
Another amendment in the second 2025 autumn tax package is that, starting in 2026, not only sole proprietors applying flat-rate taxation but also those taxed under the entrepreneurial income regime will be required to file social security obligations quarterly.
Excise tax
Deferred indexing
The new tax changes postpone the 2026 indexing of excise tax rates on fuels (gasoline, diesel, kerosene) by six months, until 1 July 2026. This delay provides additional time for the market to adapt to changing conditions.
In this article, we have tried to provide a thorough summary of the most important parts of the second 2025 autumn tax package that affect companies’ decision makers. If you have any questions about the changes detailed here, please contact the tax consulting team of WTS Klient Hungary who are always at your disposal.
This article provides general information and does not constitute advice.
