Government Introduces New Benefits to Support Families

To support families who are raising or planning to have children, the government will introduce a new measure from 1 October to make it easier for self-employed people who opt for special taxation as well as for primary agricultural producers to claim the CSOK Plus and the Rural CSOK loans, and the baby expecting subsidy. The aim is to make these benefits more accessible to self-employed people. In their case, banks used to take only 10 to 20 per cent of their income into account when assessing their loan applications but will now be obliged to recognize at least 50 per cent of their earnings.

State Secretary Bence Rétvári holds a press conference on 6 September 2024 to present the buses ready to take illegal immigrants entering Hungary to Brussels.

Who Wins in the End? The Asylum Tug of War Between Hungary and Brussels

As Minister for EU Affairs János Bóka also emphasized on 24 September, the Hungarian government is aware that the Commission has other tools at its disposal to deduct the sum. Despite not being willing to pay the fine, Budapest aims to engage in a ‘constructive way’ with Brussels to ensure compliance with the ECJ ruling. Minister Bóka also said Hungary was looking into ‘legal possibilities on how certain expenses incurred in the protection of the border could be offset’ against the penalty.

‘Too Effective’ Flood Protection — The Reason Why Brussels Won’t Help Hungary

The European Commission is allocating approximately €10 billion in aid to flood-affected countries in Central and Eastern Europe, but Hungary is notably absent from the list. The reason is somewhat paradoxical: Hungary has been so effective in its protective measures that the resulting damage is expected to fall below the threshold required to qualify for the EU Solidarity Fund.

Migrant Fine to Be Deducted from Hungary EU Funds?

The European Court of Justice issued a €200 million fine, as well as additional fines of €1 million per day to Hungary for failing to comply with migrant quotas in June. Hungary has failed to pay up by the first deadline, so now the European Commission is looking to deduct the penalties from the EU funds due to Budapest.

Budapest Airport to Honour 75 Years of History with Cultural Events in 2025

While the 2024 travel season continues, Liszt Ferenc International Airport is already preparing for 2025, when it will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a series of special cultural events. The celebrations will not only commemorate the airport’s history but also honour the life and work of composer Franz Liszt, whose name the airport proudly bears since 2011.

Hungarian and Austrian Railways Agree on Joint Efforts to Improve Connections

At the InnoTrans 2024 International Transport Exhibition in Berlin Hungarian state railways MÁV, MÁV-START, and the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) signed a cooperation agreement to enhance passenger and freight services. The agreement aims to reduce travel times on the Budapest–Vienna route and improve collaboration in technical areas, promising a faster, more efficient rail network by 2028.

Éva Voisin standing behind the consular information table at the Hungarian Heritage Festival. Sitting next to her is her husband, Paul Voisin.

‘I had a front row seat to history’— An Interview with Éva Voisin, Honorary Consul of Hungary in San Francisco

Éva Voisin is an accomplished lawyer, founder of the Hungarian American Chamber of Commerce and the Honorary Consul of Hungary for Northern California since 1993. She was awarded the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary in 2013, and is also the 2003 recipient of the Pro Auxilio Civium Hungarorum prize and numerous other awards for her pro-bono legal and civic activities.

IOC Vice President Praises Budapest, Hints at Potential Summer Olympics in Hungary

Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., Vice-President of the International Olympic Committee, gave an interview to the Hungarian news agency MTI, in which he discussed the prospects of a potential Budapest Olympics. He highlighted that the Hungarian capital has extensive experience in hosting international sporting events, making it unsurprising if Budapest were to submit a bid to host the 2036 Summer Games.

Hungary Becomes Refuge for Germans Opposed to Liberal Policies, German Broadcaster Suggests

A recent report by Germany’s Tagesschau highlighted a growing trend of Germans relocating to Hungary due to dissatisfaction with their homeland’s liberal policies, particularly concerning immigration. Germans moving to Lake Balaton cite increased safety and alignment with Hungary’s conservative values, praising Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s stance on foreign and domestic policies.