Attention: motor vehicle tax to rise this year in Hungary

Motorists in Hungary will face higher vehicle tax bills in 2026, as the annual charge is set to rise in line with inflation under rules introduced in recent years.

Vehicle tax rise will follow the inflation

From 2025, the amount payable has been automatically adjusted based on the previous year’s consumer price index published by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office. As inflation reached 4.3% last year, vehicle tax will increase by the same rate in 2026, reports Totalcar.hu.

Despite the rise, the basic structure of the tax remains unchanged. The amount payable does not depend on a car’s make or model but is determined by its age and engine power, calculated per kilowatt. In general, newer vehicles attract higher charges, while older cars fall into lower bands.

If you don’t know it yet, this is what driving in Hungary is like, and here are some strategies to preserve your car’s value year-round. Also, have you heard that Budapest wants to repair 1,000 potholes a day? Extreme winter left roads in record bad condition.