At Wednesday’s Government Info briefing in Budapest, Minister for the Prime Minister’s Office Gergely Gulyás announced a 1.6% supplementary pension increase, backdated for 2025 based on 4.8% “pensioner inflation.” The average amount paid with the November pension will be HUF 47,200, with the remainder arriving in December, for a year-to-date average of HUF 51,155 per pensioner. The measure totals HUF 112 billion in budget expenditure. Gulyás reiterated the cabinet’s principle that annual adjustments should at least match pensioner inflation.
The minister also confirmed the government will launch a national consultation on the future of Hungary’s tax system. Key topics include maintaining the flat personal income tax versus a multi-bracket model, preserving family tax allowances, and continuing PIT exemptions for mothers with multiple children and for under-25s. He said Brussels has long urged Hungary to dismantle its current model, making a public debate “essential.”
Gulyás reported “huge interest” in the new Otthon Start scheme: during the program’s second week, banks received over 1,000 loan applications per day, bringing the two-week total above 10,000. He said the 3% fixed-rate loans could trigger 10–15,000 new home starts this year and potentially several tens of thousands later, creating jobs and supporting growth.
On migration and security, Gulyás marked the 10th anniversary of the Röszke border riot, arguing Hungary made the right strategic choice by protecting the EU’s external border and criticizing the EU for sanctioning, rather than supporting, those efforts. He contrasted Hungary’s approach with Western European outcomes, citing public-order and social-cohesion concerns.
Answering questions, the minister:
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Rejected EU-level trade limits on Israel and restated Hungary’s general opposition to sanctions that harm national interests.
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Said talks are ongoing with the U.S. on a new double-taxation agreement.
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Commented on public order around political events, condemning calls to violence and stressing that weapons have no place at rallies.
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Noted the upcoming consultation will contain five questions and run from early October; costs will be disclosed afterward.
Government spokesperson Eszter Vitályos highlighted recently completed regional investments, including sports, water-management, road, and community-facility projects across multiple towns, alongside agricultural irrigation expansion supported by the rural development program.