The National Tax and Customs Authority of Hungary (NAV) has published its 2025 audit plan, which, similarly to the previous year, emphasizes a differentiated, risk-based approach. NAV continues to refine its audit selection process through the application of its vast data assets and artificial intelligence. Based on this data-driven methodology, the type of audit will be determined according to the taxpayer's compliance behavior. The types may include a newly introduced data reconciliation procedure, as well as previously utilized methods such as the supportive procedure, compliance review, or tax and customs audits.

Employer of record (EoR) services are becoming increasingly popular for companies looking to expand rapidly internationally. This allows a company to enter a market and recruit workers in another country quickly, efficiently and at lower cost without setting up a subsidiary. As with any panacea, however, it is important to be careful.

The new Real Estate Registration Act that came into effect in January restructured the system for registering properties purchased in installments or subject to conditions, and introduced the so-called buyer's right. However, since January, there has been considerable debate regarding whether the buyer's right can be registered on properties involved in bank financing (and therefore under alienation and encumbrance prohibition). A recently enacted amendment to the law, however, resolves this issue.

Hungary offers a broad range of tax incentives for research and development. Early in the innovation cycle, relief may be available for R&D costs; later, for the profits from exploiting the intellectual property created. The measures reach beyond corporate income tax to local business tax, the innovation contribution, social security tax and the KIVA base.

Global employee mobility is an increasingly common issue for companies. Therefore, it is important to be familiar with the basic legal and tax regulations regarding postings. While the first chapter of our three-part series focused on the most important legal questions, this time we will explore tax and social security considerations.

Connecting a holiday in Tenerife with remote work? Sending an employee to China for three months? While ten years ago, these questions were considered unique, today, international mobility has become an everyday part of employment relationships.

The termination of employment is one of the most sensitive areas of Hungarian employment law. Whether an employer is restructuring its business, addressing performance issues or managing a cross-border workforce, terminating an employment relationship requires careful preparation. Even where the business decision itself is justified, procedural mistakes or poorly drafted termination notices may expose employers to lengthy litigation and significant financial liability.

In 2024, consumer protection authority placed a strong focus on examining online stores. According to a recent announcement by the Minister of National Economy, such inspections are expected to increase further in the coming year. Additionally, 2025 will see the establishment of a consumer protection super authority, with the primary goal of safeguarding consumers in the digital space. For online store operators, it is crucial to prepare for the key practices and shortcomings that attract regulatory scrutiny.