Competition law

The Hungarian competition law framework operates under a dual jurisdiction system combining EU competition rules with national regulations enforced by the Hungarian Competition Authority (Gazdasági Versenyhivatal, GVH). We advise clients on merger control, antitrust related matters, compliance programs, and consumer protection issues, to ensure that businesses pursue their commercial objectives while maintaining full regulatory compliance.

Our competition law team helps clients to manage regulatory risks, align strategies with EU and Hungarian regulation, and respond effectively to authority investigations. Certain industries face heightened competition law scrutiny due to market structure, regulatory oversight, or enforcement priorities. Our competition team provides specialized expertise in highly regulated sectors including pharmaceuticals, energy, telecommunications, financial services, retail, and digital markets.

Merger control requires strategic planning and precise assessment of notification tresholds. Our competition lawyers handle the entire process from initial transaction structuring to merger notification, ensuring compliance with both Hungarian and EU merger filing requirements.

We conduct thorough competition law due diligence during the pre-transaction phase, identifying potential competition concerns, assessing filing obligations. We analyze whether transactions meet the turnover thresholds for mandatory notification to the GVH under Hungarian law or to the European Commission under the EU Merger Regulation.

For merger notifications, we prepare and submit comprehensive notification submissionsto the GVH, including market analyses, competitive assessments, and economic data. We coordinate with the authority throughout the review process, responding to information requests and negotiating remedies when necessary to secure clearance.

Our lawyers also manage cross-border notifications, coordinate EU merger notification with Hungarian and other national filings, further, we advise on joint ventures, asset acquisitions, transactions in regulated industries, gun-jumping risks, and axciliiary restrains.

Antitrust law covers cartel prohibitions and abuse of dominant market position rules in the EU and, similarly, in Hungary. Our competition law practice develops tailored antitrust compliance programs reflecting each clients' business model.

We provide strategic advice on horizontal agreements between competitors, analyzing commercial arrangements for potential cartel risks including price-fixing, market allocation, bid-rigging, and information exchange concerns. Our competition lawyers review and approve cooperation agreements, joint ventures, and industry association activities to ensure compliance with Hungarian and EU antitrust rules.

For vertical agreements between suppliers and distributors, we advise on selective and exclusive distribution systems, pricing policies, and non-compete obligations. We help companies develop compliant distribution networks that achieve commercial objectives while avoiding antitrust violations under the EU Vertical Block Exemption Regulation and Hungarian competition law.

Our team provides legal advice to companies with dominant market position in order to avoid abuse of dominance, like exclusive dealing arrangements, loyalty programs, and other commercial practices that may attract scrutiny under Article 102 TFEU and corresponding Hungarian provisions.

When the Hungarian Competition Authority initiates investigations, rapid and strategic response is critical. Our competition lawyers represents clients throughout the entire investigation, from initial dawn raids to formal proceedings and potential appeals.

We provide immediate dawn raid response, deploy experienced attorneys to coordinate on-site response, protect legal privilege, and ensure investigators operate within their legal authority. We provide dawn raid training for management and staff, preparing companies to respond effectively to unannounced inspections while protecting their legal rights.

During proceedings before the GVH, we develop defense strategies, prepare written submissions including leniency, represent clients in oral hearings and negotiate settlements. Our competition practice has extensive experience defending companies in cartel investigations, abuse of dominance cases including judicial review as well.

Consumer protection Hungary operates under strict regulations enforced by both the GVH and specialized consumer protection authorities. Our competition law practice provides comprehensive consumer protection legal services covering advertising law, unfair commercial practices, general terms and conditions, and consumer complaint handling.

We review both B2C and B2B communications covering also comparative advertising, pricing practices, promotions, ensuring compliance with Hungarian advertising law, the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, and industry-specific advertising restrictions.

We draft compliant general terms and conditions (ÁSZF) that meet Hungarian law requirements while protecting our clients' commercial interests

We advise clients on complaint handling in order to satisfy regulatory requirements while managing reputational and legal risks. We help companies establish effective customer service protocols, dispute resolution mechanisms, and escalation procedures.

Our team represents clients in proceedings before consumer protection authorities and the GVH in cases related to unfair commercial practices, misleading advertising, and violations of consumer rights. We have extensive experience negotiating settlements.

Preventing competition law violations requires robust compliance programs and regular training. Our competition team designs customized compliance programs tailored to each company’s risk profile and industry.

We deliver practical competition law training among others to executives, sales teams, procurement personnel covering cartel risks, vertical restraints, abuse of dominance, merger control obligations, and industry-specific competition concerns.

Beyond initial training, we help companies implement ongoing compliance mechanisms including contract review procedures, approval workflows for competitively sensitive activities, and reporting channels for potential violations. We conduct periodic compliance audits and risk assessments to evaluate program effectiveness and identify areas for enhancement.

State aid rules regulate government support to businesses and can significantly impact commercial strategies involving public funding, tax incentives, or regulatory advantages. Our competition lawyers advise clients on state aid compliance, we assess whether measures qualify as state aid under EU law. For companies benefiting from state aid, we ensure compliance with approved scheme conditions and aid intensity limits.

In public procurement, we handle competition issues, like bid coordination, conflicts of interest, and tender disputes.

Hungarian law allows private parties to seek damages for competition law violations. Our competition law lawyers combined with our dispute resolution team represent both claimants seeking compensation for antitrust injuries and defendants facing damages claims.

Whether planning a merger or acquisition, structuring commercial agreements, responding to competition authority investigations, or developing compliance programs, Jalsovszky's competition law practice provides comprehensive legal support. Our competition lawyers combine deep technical expertise with practical business understanding to help clients navigate Hungarian competition law successfully. Contact us to discuss how we can support your business objectives while ensuring full compliance with Hungarian and EU competition regulations.