Lőrinc Mészáros and his family remain by far the wealthiest Hungarians, with an estimated fortune of HUF 1,785.7 billion (EUR 4.87 billion), according to the Forbes Hungary 2026 rich list. This year’s ranking is the magazine’s first to feature the 100 richest Hungarians rather than 50, and is published as Hungary’s political and business landscape undergoes major changes.
Mészáros remains firmly at the top
Forbes Hungary has published its 2026 list of the country’s wealthiest people, expanding the ranking from 50 to 100 individuals and families for the first time. Lőrinc Mészáros and his family remain at the top, with an estimated fortune of HUF 1,785.7 billion.
The combined estimated wealth of the 100 people on the list is now approaching HUF 13,000 billion (EUR 35.5 billion), according to Forbes.
The ranking is based on financial reports from the most recently completed business year. As a result, Forbes notes that the list does not yet fully reflect the effects of the political changes that followed the April election.
The magazine says reviews, criminal proceedings, falling share prices and the establishment of a state asset recovery office are already pointing towards a new period in Hungary’s business world.
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Csányi, Felcsuti, Veres and Szíjj complete the top five
The five wealthiest Hungarians on the 2026 Forbes list are:
- Lőrinc Mészáros and family – HUF 1,785.7 billion
- Sándor Csányi – HUF 649.7 billion
- Zsolt Felcsuti – HUF 587.6 billion
- Tibor Veres – HUF 567.7 billion
- László Szíjj – HUF 530.6 billion
Mészáros has therefore retained the top position, although Forbes says his estimated wealth increased by only HUF 39 billion this year – the smallest increase relative to his total fortune since he first appeared at the top of the list.
Last year, Forbes estimated his wealth at HUF 1,749.1 billion.
Jellinek ranks seventh, while Garancsi and Jászai remain in the top 15
Dániel Jellinek, owner of Indotek Group, ranks seventh with an estimated fortune of HUF 314.1 billion.
Jellinek was detained and subsequently placed under arrest in September in connection with a criminal investigation. The Forbes ranking, however, is based on the financial data and company valuations underlying its 2026 methodology.
His former wife, Kamilla Hermann, ranks 60th with an estimated HUF 59.8 billion.
István Garancsi, owner of Market Építő and Las Vegas Casino, ranks 10th with an estimated HUF 271.9 billion, while Gellért Jászai, head of 4iG, is 11th with HUF 254 billion.
István Tiborcz, son-in-law of former prime minister Viktor Orbán, ranks 13th with an estimated HUF 185.6 billion.
The expansion to 100 names has also brought several figures onto the Forbes list for the first time. Árpád Habony ranks 52nd, while Mária Schmidt is 62nd and former defence minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky is 74th.
What could the political changes mean for Hungary’s billionaires?
Forbes describes this year’s ranking as a snapshot taken at the end of an era in which several business groups grew substantially through state-linked contracts and concessions.
The magazine says that the future of long-term state concessions could become a major issue for businesses closely associated with the previous system. It also raises questions about how companies that expanded in sectors heavily dependent on state contracts will perform in a more competitive environment.
Forbes further notes that businesses which previously benefited from preferential state financing, bond programmes or major public contracts are unlikely to be able to rely on the same conditions under the new government.
However, the 2026 ranking largely reflects the previous business year, meaning the longer-term impact of the political transition is not yet visible in full.
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How does Forbes calculate the fortunes?
Forbes Hungary uses a methodology based on that of the US Forbes. Where possible, companies are valued using EBITDA – earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation – multiplied by an industry-specific valuation multiple.
Since its 2023 list, Forbes has used the average EBITDA of the previous three years rather than the latest figure alone. The magazine says this better reflects how companies have recently been valued in the Hungarian market.
For non-production businesses such as property developers, the calculation is primarily based on the value of the assets minus liabilities. Start-ups are assessed partly on the basis of investment received, while investment management companies are valued using their after-tax profit and an industry multiple.
Forbes also applies a standard 10% liquidity discount to private companies. Businesses heavily dependent on state contracts or holding state concessions are assessed on an asset basis with a significant discount, where their state exposure is considered substantial.
The magazine says its calculations were supported by data from company information providers Opten and Dun & Bradstreet, as well as Ingatlan.com, while valuation practices and exceptional cases were discussed with M&A advisers.
