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New taxes and increases from 2026: financial burdens change in 100s of Hungarian settlements – is yours among them?
Although most of Hungary’s more than 3,000 municipalities did not introduce new taxes in 2026, significant changes have still taken place nationwide. According to data from the Hungarian State Treasury, 128 settlements introduced a new type of local tax as of 1 January 2026, while a further 475 municipalities increased or modified existing levies. The changes mainly affect the tourism tax, building tax and land tax, but several settlements have also introduced so-called municipal taxes tailored to local circumstances.
Unusual municipal taxes tailored to local issues
Municipal taxes typically reflect local challenges. In Budapest’s 18th district, for example, a so-called “settlement tax” has been introduced: in cases where more than 15 people register their address at the same property, a fee of HUF 150,000 per person must be paid. The aim is to curb mass address registrations, Pénzcentrum reports. (EUR 1 = HUF 385)
In the village of Kárász, structures over 20 metres in height that are not used for residential purposes and do not qualify as buildings are now subject to taxation, with an annual levy of HUF 1 million. In Mindszentgodisa, owners must pay an annual fee of HUF 120,000 per household sewage storage unit, with the exception of modern root-zone treatment systems.
The town of Pilis has introduced a new tax on garden plot properties that were previously exempt from communal taxes. Meanwhile, in Döbörhegy, neglected and poorly maintained buildings and plots are taxed either based on square metres or through a fixed-rate fee. Although these taxes affect relatively few people nationwide, they illustrate the increasingly creative approaches municipalities are taking to local taxation.
Tourism tax reaches near-record levels in several locations
The change most likely to affect residents and travellers alike remains the tourism tax (IFA). In 2026, the rate of the tax was modified in 150 settlements, with 30 municipalities introducing it for the first time. As the maximum rate is linked to inflation, many local governments opted for increases.
The large tax in the 18th district on registration of more than 18 people at the same address should be applied country-wide. Mass registration is a scam used by Fidesz in elections in some cases with thousands of people registered at he same address all who get to cast fraudulent votes to steal results. Of course, Fidesz controlled local governments would never take a step against that and will look the other way.