The Hungarian government is launching a new National Consultation on October 1 to defend key achievements of the past decade from external and domestic threats. The consultation seeks to prevent stealth policy shifts originating in Brussels and championed by the Hungarian left that would jeopardize families, workers, and national competitiveness.
Here are the 5 questions:
1. Do you agree that the current flat personal income tax system should be replaced by a multi-bracket system with higher tax rates?
Leaked proposals circulating in Brussels suggest raising the current 15% personal income tax to as much as 33% for certain brackets. This would mean millions of workers taking home less pay, with middle-income earners facing a sharp increase in their tax burden. The government firmly rejects any such hidden tax hike and stands by its policy of a simple, predictable, and fair tax system that rewards work.
2. Do you agree that family tax benefits should be reduced?
The Hungarian model supports families through generous tax allowances, helping them plan and grow. Brussels, however, views these incentives as distortive and has urged curtailment. The left in Hungary has echoed this sentiment, pushing for policy changes that would undermine the nation’s pro-family foundation. The government seeks to protect every family’s right to keep more of their income and build a future in Hungary.
3. Do you agree that the tax exemptions for mothers and young people should be eliminated?
Currently, Hungarian mothers raising children and individuals under 25 enjoy full personal income tax exemption—a unique and effective tool to support demographic renewal and youth employment. Brussels opposes this, claiming it violates EU norms. If these exemptions were revoked, hundreds of thousands of mothers and young workers would see their earnings shrink. The government insists on preserving these incentives, recognizing them as essential for the country’s future.
4. Do you agree that Hungary should source oil and gas from more expensive suppliers instead of affordable Russian energy, even if this increases household utility bills and ends the utility cost reduction program?
Brussels has proposed that Hungary stop purchasing affordable Russian energy and switch to more expensive alternatives. Simultaneously, the EU is pressuring countries to dismantle state-supported utility price reductions. If implemented, these measures would dramatically increase household energy bills and eliminate the utility cost reduction program that has shielded Hungarian families for over a decade. The government stands firmly against this approach, determined to keep utility costs low and energy sources diverse.
5. Do you agree with increasing the corporate tax rate paid by companies?
Brussels is calling for the harmonization of corporate tax rates across the EU, which would mean raising Hungary’s 9% corporate tax—Europe’s lowest—to Western levels of 30% or more. Such a move would threaten hundreds of thousands of Hungarian businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, with higher tax burdens and reduced competitiveness. Hungary’s flat, low corporate tax is a cornerstone of its investment-friendly environment and economic growth strategy.
With this consultation, the government is again turning to the Hungarian people for guidance on the most pressing issues affecting their lives. In a world where decisions are increasingly made above citizens’ heads, Hungary remains committed to democratic dialogue. As Prime Minister Orbán has repeatedly stated, the best way forward is one built on national consensus—not foreign pressure.