Hungary faced several legal changes on January 1st, 2018, including an increase in general childcare benefits as well as benefits for university students and graduates, added support for mortgage holders and the option of relief on student loan repayments.
As of today, eligible families are entitled to a maximum of 193,200 HUF (622 EUR) in childcare benefits.
According to MTI, female university students or graduates are eligible for an extra year of child support up to the second child’s second birthday.
Students enrolled in a bachelor’s program will be eligible for 96,600 HUF in support and students enrolled in a master’s program for 126,350 HUF.
Tax benefits for families with two children have risen, leaving them with an extra 5,000 HUF a month.
The prime minister announced last May that the government will pay off 1 million HUF of a mortgage after every third and subsequent child and forgive half the student loans of women with two children and the entire debt of those with three or more children.
There is no upper age limit for children born earlier so the mortgage debt can be reduced even if the older child has already turned 18 years old.
The new year also marks the start of a new scheme dubbed Umbilical Cord, targeted at Hungarians whose children are born abroad. Families will be eligible for a one-time maternity allowance of 64,125 HUF as well as a “baby bond”.
Benefits also rise for Hungarians caring for minors with disabilities. The basic carer’s allowance rises by 5% and families who have been caring for children with prolonged illnesses for at least 20 years will be eligible for a new kind of benefit.
Sex crimes against children below the age of 12 are punishable by 10-20 years imprisonment. The law on administrative procedures, which concerns legal disputes between public administration bodies and private entities, also comes into effect, and a new civil procedural code also enters into force.