Orbán cabinet: Europe’s largest family support programme to be expanded with a new pillar in 2026
The Hungarian government has unveiled a new home support programme and an expanded set of family tax benefits aimed at strengthening social stability and helping families and young people purchase homes. The announcements were made by Balázs Hidvéghi, Parliamentary State Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Office, and Balázs Hankó, Minister for Innovation and Higher Education.
Annual home allowance for public sector employees
According to Balázs Hidvéghi, the government will launch a new home support scheme on 1 January 2026, providing an annual HUF 1 million (≈ €2,560) allowance to all employees working in the public sector.
The measure will cover a wide range of professions — doctors, nurses, police officers, teachers, soldiers, and other public servants — in recognition of their contribution to society.
“This support is a way of saying thank you to all those who care for, protect and educate our communities — people without whom the country would not function,” Hidvéghi said in a video statement on the government’s Facebook page.
The subsidy can be used in two ways:
- to repay existing mortgage loans, or
- to finance the down payment for a new home purchase.
If both partners work in the public sector, each will be eligible for the support individually. Further details will be available through employers closer to the launch date.
Hankó: ‘Support should stay with Hungarian families and youth’
In a separate interview, Balázs Hankó said that government policy aims to leave more resources with Hungarian families and young people, rather than with “Brussels-based decision-makers”.
According to the minister, family-support spending has increased fivefold since 2010, reaching HUF 4,802 billion (≈ €12.3 billion) next year. In 2010, the average family received about HUF 700,000 (≈ €1,795) in annual state support; today, that figure stands at HUF 4.8 million (≈ €12,300).
“The income tax exemption for under-25s has already left more than HUF 610 billion (≈ €1.56 billion) in young people’s pockets,” Hankó said.
He argued that the government’s tax-cutting approach strengthens families and the economy, while opposition parties “would introduce new taxes and withdraw family benefits”.
“Brussels wants to end the 3 per cent fixed-rate housing loan and abolish utility price protection, taking about HUF 500,000 (≈ €1,280) per year from Hungarian families. We stand with Hungarian families, youth, pensioners and entrepreneurs,” the minister stated.
Expanding tax exemptions for mothers
From 1 October 2025, mothers of three or more children became permanently exempt from personal income tax — a measure affecting around 250,000 women.
From 1 January 2026, the family tax allowance will increase by a further 50 per cent, meaning that a family with three children will be HUF 307,000 (≈ €790) better off each month on average.
At the same time, a gradual tax exemption will be introduced for mothers under 40 with two children.
“From 2026, half a million mothers will be exempt from income tax for life, and by 2029 that number will rise to one million. Two out of three working mothers will no longer pay income tax,” Hankó said.
Pensioners and future plans
Hankó also highlighted the government’s commitment to pension protection. Including this year’s top-ups and the 13th-month pension payment, HUF 585 billion (≈ €1.5 billion) will go to pensioners. The cabinet is also considering introducing a 14th-month pension in the coming years.
By contrast, he warned that the opposition’s proposed “pension tax” would cost retirees around HUF 590,000 (≈ €1,510) per year on average.
Political message and national consultation
The minister said the new national consultation will allow Hungarians to express support for the government’s policy of defending families against EU-backed tax increases.
“When the government protects Hungarian interests, it’s important that the people stand behind it. If millions of Hungarians share their views, that strength will help us defend families, youth, pensioners and businesses,” he said.
Hankó also noted that since 2010, 200,000 more children have been born in Hungary compared with the previous decade — a result he attributed to “family-centred policies and economic stability”.
Neither Tisza nor the EU requested tax increases
It is important to note that neither the opposition Tisza Party nor EU leaders have stated that they intend to implement tax increases. Nevertheless, the government has already launched an offensive poster campaign funded from the central budget, continuing to emphasise that it is “giving”, while the opposition “wants to destroy Hungarian families”.
The government has faced extensive criticism for using public funds for character attacks against opposition leaders and smear campaigns targeting Brussels. Critics argue that, firstly, Fidesz as a political party should finance its own pre-election campaign for next year’s elections, and secondly, that the tens of billions of forints spent on posters and internet advertising should instead be invested in developing the country.
Read also: 4 million leaflets to be distributed about alleged tax increase plans in Hungary
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Facts and data … Our Politicians are currently spending from 5 to 6 percent of GDP on family support.
So apart from whether this expense is sustainable (our current budget deficit is 4.5 – 4.7 percent of GDP, according to the IMF – which means sustaining this spend requires higher growth and/or durable revenue increases / spending offsets), do not forget that we require a replacement rate of 2.1. All this spend is buying us … 1.5 (ish).
https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/hun/hungary/fertility-
Another reason to keep those foreigners out – enjoy Hungary all by ourselves!
https://population-pyramid.net/en/pp/hungary
“The population growth rate of Hungary in 2025 is -0.45%, sex ratio is 0.93 (1.02 for working age), dependency ratio is 55.1%.
Working age population will be less than 60% of total population at year 2044. Elderly population will be more than twice of the young population at 2056. Total population reaches its peak in 1980 at 10,695,372.
In 2050, the population growth rate of Hungary is -0.36%, sex ratio is 0.97 (1.06 for working age), dependency ratio is 70.2%.The elderly population will account for 27.40% of Hungary’s population in 2050.”
In Canada as a young teen during citizenship classes we were explained how each person is responsible for their countries well being to replace themselves once they are financially moving forward, in a stable relationship of commitment like marriage, and have a safe home that they are supporting. That in order for each generation to fullfill the role that sociatal infrastructures require to be healthy, we have to take responsibility to make sure that as our parents look after our needs, we will look after theirs…and as we also will need looking after, we have to first look after children of our own that we raise. Like a wedding band, society is a circle. We each have a part. With so many mothers and fathers selling their children or murdering them…I wonder how we got to this kind of society…booze, body mutalation, lack of work ethic, addictions of all types…it seems to be all about Me me me now…then ppl wonder why old ppl or disabled are on the trash heap begging, always begging. When then makes young ppl wonder, is it safe to have kids in this world now?