2026 is the year of consumers. At the beginning of the year, the legal category of consumers was expanded, and as a result, in certain matters SMEs also gained a stronger legal position vis-à-vis sellers. In September and December, further tightening of greenwashing regulations and easier enforceability of product liability claims are expected. However, the “headline” rule of the year is the one entering into force in two weeks: operators of web shops must ensure that consumers can withdraw from contracts online.

At the end of September, the European Commission carried out a dawn raid at Sanofi, which is also active in the vaccine market. The inspection was accompanied by representatives of national competition authorities. The raid fits into the increasingly hard-line enforcement policy pursued by European competition authorities in the pharmaceutical sector in recent years — a trend that may also be followed by the Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH).

For international investors, acquiring or establishing a business in Hungary involves more than negotiating commercial terms. Mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures may require approval from the Hungarian Competition Authority (“HCA”) before they can be completed. Failure to comply with merger control rules can result in significant fines, delays, or even the prohibition of a transaction.