Multinational subsidies in Hungary to be reviewed, says minister-designate Kapitány

Hungary’s incoming economy and energy minister, István Kapitány, has said the next government will review the framework of state support paid to multinational companies operating in Hungary, promising a new model of cooperation that “benefits Hungarian citizens, the state and major employers alike”.

In a Facebook video Kapitány argued that some areas of economic policy could deliver visible results within months, while others would begin with “first steps” only. He also pledged greater transparency, saying decisions would be explained “in an understandable way” so the public can feel ownership of them.

Multinational subsidies in Hungary and what could change

Kapitány did not name specific companies or programmes,, but his remarks point to a politically sensitive area: Hungary has long used investment incentives to attract and expand large, often foreign-owned employers.

These incentives can include non-refundable cash subsidy schemes administered by the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency (HIPA), which outlines various “VIP cash subsidy” frameworks and eligibility conditions for supported investments.

For multinational groups, such supports are often framed as a tool to secure jobs and capital spending in the country. Kapitány’s message suggests the next cabinet wants tighter conditions, a redesigned system, or a different balance between multinationals and domestic firms—while still keeping “major employers” in the equation.

Focus on growth restart, SMEs, bureaucracy and anti-corruption

Alongside the pledge on multinational subsidies in Hungary, Kapitány repeated several campaign commitments—this time explicitly as a minister-designate.

According to Telex, these include:

• reviewing the legal framework for guest workers in Hungary, and suspending the bringing-in of guest workers from 1 June;
• creating new economic development tools aimed at helping Hungarian SMEs grow;
• cutting unnecessary bureaucracy.

He also said tackling corruption would be a priority, promising that “unjustified, overpriced payments” would be stopped immediately and reviewed, alongside new safeguards for more effective use of public funds.

A separate Tisza Party Facebook post also promoted the 1 June date for the suspension of non-EU guest worker inflows. Here is our explainer: Will the new Magyar government send guest workers home? Here’s what they can expect

Retail sector talks: “competition-friendly” approach welcomed

Kapitány’s economic agenda has already appeared in stakeholder consultations. HVG reported that the National Trade Association (OKSZ) has started professional talks with the soon-to-be-formed new government, including Kapitány and incoming finance minister András Kármán.

OKSZ said key priorities for its members include keeping inflation low, improving opportunities for Hungarian suppliers, and developing a healthier, competition-based value chain—alongside what it called a market-conform regulatory environment.

The organisation welcomed what it described as the new government’s “competition-friendly” attitude, arguing that cleaner market processes could help retail contribute more to domestic value added, investment, GDP and ultimately living standards.

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Background for foreign readers: who is forming the next government?

Kapitány is set to join the incoming cabinet led by Péter Magyar, whose Tisza Party is preparing to take office following the 2026 election. The line-up of the “first Magyar government”describes a 16-ministry structure and names key figures, including Kapitány’s role, details HERE.

For international observers, the most closely watched question in Kapitány’s latest statement is how far the government will go in rewriting multinational subsidies in Hungary—a policy area that intersects with investment strategy, jobs, regional development and the wider debate about how the state should support foreign-owned “anchor” employers versus domestically owned small and medium-sized firms.

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