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Budapest Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Budapest Times
Koncz: Hungary undergoing a family-friendly tax revolution
Hungary is undergoing a 'family-friendly tax revolution,' according to Zsófia Koncz, State Secretary for Families at the Ministry of Culture and Innovation. Speaking on M1 television Tuesday morning, she highlighted the government's continued expansion of family support measures since 2010. Koncz emphasized the exceptional scale of the latest changes. In July, the first phase of the family tax allowance doubling began, with eligible parents receiving the increased benefit in their August pay. Also in effect since July is the new 'CSED extra' scheme, allowing mothers to return to work after 90 days while still receiving 70 percent of the childcare benefit. From 1 October, families with three children will become exempt from personal income tax (PIT), with similar tax relief for two-child families and mothers under 30 set to begin in January. 'The government supports families in all life situations, ensuring parents have freedom of choice,' Koncz stated. She also discussed the Home Start Program, calling it a key pillar of the family support system. A related government decree is currently under public consultation to ensure the program can be combined with other homeownership schemes. Addressing concerns about price inflation, Koncz noted the introduction of a HUF 1.5 million per square metre price cap to prevent speculative increases. Home Start loans can be used for both home construction and purchasing pre-owned properties, she confirmed. In a separate interview on Kossuth Radio, Koncz said the scheme is clearly aimed at young people, who are already supported through PIT exemptions for under-25s and access to work-based loans.
Budapest Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Budapest Times
Orbán: My home is my castle – that is freedom, that is security
In his regular interview on Kossuth Radio, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán emphasized the government's renewed push for homeownership and strategic autonomy, while strongly criticizing a recent EU-U.S. trade deal he called economically and politically disastrous. The conversation moved through domestic reforms, international challenges, and Hungary's concrete steps to shield its economy and citizens. Opening the interview, PM Orbán addressed the new Home Start Program, which offers a 3 percent fixed-rate housing loan for first-time homebuyers. He framed the initiative as a national response to global uncertainty. 'There's upheaval in the world—from Covid to war to technological change—and in such times, the greatest anchor in life is a home, the place where your family lives,' he said. Contrasting European housing philosophies, he said Hungarians view property differently. 'In some countries, renting is enough. But Hungarians think a home should be one's own. My home is my castle. That is freedom, that is security,' the prime minister explained. He characterized homeownership as a foundation for family life and personal dignity: 'You're not a 'vagrant' if you own a home.' The conversation then turned to Europe's position on the global stage, with PM Orbán launching a scathing critique of the European Commission's recent tariff agreement with the United States. He said the Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, made unauthorized commitments that fall outside its jurisdiction, such as promises to increase EU energy imports from the U.S. and invest hundreds of billions of euros overseas. 'Brussels doesn't buy a single cubic meter of gas, member states do,' he stressed. 'I did not authorize her to make such a deal, and I don't believe other prime ministers did either.' He added that the agreement includes secret clauses, including financial obligations for Ukraine's armament, without EU-wide consent: 'Nobody asked me if we want that.' Calling the deal 'an economic own goal,' PM Orbán highlighted the potential impact on Hungarian exports. He estimated that the new 15 percent U.S. tariff could affect around $11 billion worth of goods flowing from Hungary to the U.S., either directly or indirectly, amounting to $1.5 billion in losses. In response, the government is developing two action plans: one to protect industrial production and another to secure jobs. 'We must prevent companies in Hungary from reacting with layoffs or closures. If they do, we must be ready to step in immediately,' he said. Ministers Péter Szijjártó and Márton Nagy have been authorized to begin talks with major exporters and the Chamber of Commerce to coordinate next steps, the prime minister added. While the interviewer noted how EU leaders were recently snubbed in China, PM Orbán attributed such diplomatic embarrassments to European weakness. 'We're loud, we lecture others, but when it comes to negotiations, we show no strength or skill. It's the worst possible combination,' he remarked. Concluding the interview, Prime Minister Orbán expressed deep dissatisfaction with the current EU leadership. 'This is a fiasco. They should pack up, thank everyone for the trust, and go home.'
Russia Today
27-07-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Ukraine's accession will bring war to EU
Ukrainian membership in the European Union would threaten Hungary's security and raise the risk of war in the region, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has granted EU candidate status in 2022, has made joining the bloc a national priority. While Brussels has floated 2030 as a possible accession date, all current member states must approve the move. Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland remain opposed, citing concerns over Ukraine's preparedness and the financial strain its membership could place on the an interview with Kossuth Radio on Friday, Orban said that Hungary, which shares a border with Ukraine, would be especially vulnerable to any escalation resulting from the EU's expansion. He argued that Kiev's full membership would come with "war risks.""Ukraine is a buffer state, and we do not wish to share its fate. We understand what that means, having once been on the western periphery of the Soviet Union," he said. "If Ukraine's membership is accepted, then we will become the battlefield. The war will geographically affect the neighboring region. This is unacceptable. A lot of young Hungarians would also die. This is not a tactical issue, but an existential one," Orban added. He proposed a strategic partnership with the EU as an alternative to full this week, Orban - a frequent critic of EU leadership - rejected the European Commission's proposed seven-year budget, warning that it could "destroy the European Union." He claimed the proposal was designed primarily to finance Ukraine's membership, citing estimates that up to 25% of the budget could be allocated to has blocked multiple EU military aid packages for Ukraine and has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire with Russia. Budapest has also warned that the financial and security implications of Ukraine's integration could outweigh any potential benefits, framing the issue as a matter of national survival rather than political preference.
Russia Today
18-07-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Brussels budget plan could destroy EU
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has sharply criticized the European Union's proposed seven-year budget, claiming its primary objective is to facilitate Ukraine's accession and warning that it could spell disaster for the bloc. Orban, a frequent critic of the EU leadership, blasted the draft Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034, which was unveiled by the European Commission on Wednesday, during an interview with Kossuth Radio on Friday. 'This budget would destroy the European Union. I don't think this budget will even survive next year,' Orban said. He predicted that the EU's executive would either have to withdraw the proposal or make significant revisions before national governments would consider approving it. The Hungarian leader accused the commission of proposing reckless cuts, particularly in agricultural subsidies, likening the approach to an unskilled surgeon who fatally injures a patient during a botched procedure. Orban reiterated his long-standing claim that Brussels is advancing foreign policy goals – namely, integration of Ukraine – at the expense of EU citizens. 'This budget has only one obvious purpose, and that is to admit Ukraine to the European Union,' he said, citing financial analysts who estimate that as much as 25% of the funds could be directed toward benefiting Kiev in various forms. The Hungarian leader said he did not expect Ukraine to qualify for EU membership anytime soon, adding that officials in Brussels are presenting Kiev as 'already overripe' for entry. He cautioned that once Ukraine were admitted, the decision would be virtually irreversible regardless of future consequences. The European Commission has defended the proposed €2 trillion ($2.33 trillion) budget, saying it would increase flexibility, reduce bureaucracy, and boost economic competitiveness. Orban, however, dismissed it as a 'budget of hopelessness,' better suited for a bloc 'preparing for stagnation and merely trying to avoid disintegration.'
Budapest Times
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Budapest Times
More than 2 million have returned questionnaires on Ukraine's accession to EU
"I see the numbers every day, the number of responses being returned, and we're over 2 million," PM Orbán said in an interview with public broadcaster Kossuth Radio. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that more than 2 million people have already returned the questionnaires on Ukraine's accession to the European Union. 'I see the numbers every day, the number of responses being returned, and we're over 2 million,' PM Orbán said in an interview with public broadcaster Kossuth Radio . PM Orbán said this was a 'fantastic success', adding that he 'can't recall when we last had a National Consultation or a vote in which this many people participated'. The prime minister encouraged the public to use the eight days left of the government's Vote 2025 initiative to read a recent interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and 'acknowledge the domestic political debate in connection with it'. 'There are pro-Ukrainian and pro-Hungarian forces, the line of division is completely clear, and it's very important … for every Hungarian citizen to express their opinion on this issue,' PM Orbán added.
