Hungary

Hungarian finance minister: AI opens new era in taxation

Artificial intelligence will usher in a new era in taxation, Finance Minister Mihály Varga said at the Tax Administration European Union Summit (TADEUS) in Budapest on Thursday.

AI opens new era in taxation

Varga told the heads of the tax administrations in the EU that the Hungarian government had established one of the most competitive tax systems in the world over the past decade. The National Tax and Customs Authority (NAV) is at the forefront in terms of digitalisation, he added, pointing to electronic systems for invoicing and monitoring flow of goods, and its preparation of several million tax returns each year.

Since 2010, government measures to crack down on tax evasion have reduced the VAT gap from 22pc close to 4pc, while the tax-to-GDP ratio has fallen from 40pc to 35pc, the third-biggest decline in the EU, Varga said.

He said Hungary was in 7th place in the latest annual ranking by the Tax Foundation of OECD countries’ tax competitiveness.

Varga said the meeting, held in the framework of Hungary’s six-month presidency of the Council of the EU, was a good occasion to summarise results and plans, and exchange information.

Mihály Varga AI opens new era in taxation
Photo: Facebook / Varga Mihály

European Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra welcomed the participants in a video message.

Gerassimos Thomas, the director-general of the European Commission‘s DG for taxation and Customs Union, said the new EC was tasked with boosting the efficiency of taxation and fostering closer cooperation and more exchanges of information between tax authorities.

NAV president Ferenc Vagújhelyi said the two-day forum was an opportunity to share best practices.

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AutoWallis issues EUR 20m bond in private placement

Listed car seller AutoWallis on Wednesday announced the issue of a EUR 20m, ten-year bond in a private placement.

AutoWallis’ expansion

AutoWallis will use the proceeds from the issue to fund its expansion abroad and acquisitions. The car seller said it planned to make 2-3 acquisitions a year in the coming years.

AutoWallis is present in 16 countries in Europe and announced its biggest acquisition yet, of Czechia’s MILAN KRAL, in November. The company plans to plough around HUF 80bn into its business by 2028, boosting annual revenue to HUF 750bn and EBITDA to HUF 40n by 2028, double the levels in 2023.

AutoWallis counts Alpine, BYD, Dacia, Isuzu, Farizon, Jaguar, Land Rover, MG, Saab parts, Renault, SsangYong and Opel among the brands in its wholesale portfolio. Brands in the retail portfolio include BMW cars and motorcycles, BYD, Dacia, Isuzu, Jaguar, KIA, Land Rover, Maserati, MINI, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Renault, SsangYong, Suzuki and Toyota. It represents the Sixt rent-a-car brand in Hungary and operates its carsharing and fleet management business under the wigo aegis. AutoWallis also owns the vehicle listing sites JoAutok.hu and AUTO-LICIT.HU.

AutoWallis
Photo: Facebook / AutoWallis

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Orbán cabinet: Fake news on Syrian president’s arrival in Budapest could be coordinated secret services operation

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Fake news lacking any factual basis about the ousted Syrian president landing in Budapest resulted in a dangerous situation, the head of the Prime Minister’s Office said on Thursday, adding it was possible that a “coordinated secret services operation” was behind the reports.

What’s behind the fake news about the Syrian president’s arrival in Budapest?

Gergely Gulyás told a regular press briefing that it could not be ruled out that the reports did not just result from human error but a “coordinated secret services operation”.

A national security investigation is under way which is expected to reveal whether those that spread the fake news were also part of the secret services operation or they were “merely useful idiots who could be used by other states for their own purposes,” Gulyás said.

He added that the Hungarian services had to make great efforts as early as on Sunday to refute the fake news.

Gulyás said that as a result of the fake news, employees of the Hungarian foreign representative office and Hungarians living in the country had come under threat, protection had to be provided for the Syrian embassy in Budapest, and an increased risk of terrorist activity had to be calculated with.

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Schengen enlargement: No border controls between Transylvania and Hungary from 1 January – UPDATED

The European Union’s Justice and Home Affairs Council has decided to remove checks on persons at the internal land borders with and between Bulgaria and Romania from Jan 1, 2025, the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the EU said on Thursday.

Schengen enlargement

“It is a historic moment to finally welcome Bulgaria and Romania as full Schengen members,” a statement from Brussels cited Hungarian Interior Minister Sándor Pintér as saying.

Speaking to the media before the council meeting, Pintér said Bulgaria and Romania were ready to join the Schengen zone. The minister expressed hope that a decision would be taken on approving the two member states’ Schengen membership.

He pointed out that Hungary supported the Schengen accession of Bulgaria and Romania as early as 2011 when it first held the EU presidency.

“I believe that if a country is technically ready, has made huge efforts and initiated regulatory changes, then they deserve to become part of the Schengen area,” Pintér said.

Pintér said the ministers would also discuss the EU’s home affairs strategic guidelines, adding that the current guidelines were adopted ten years ago so they had to be renewed.

Another point on the agenda of the meeting is online child abuse. On this, Pintér said he expected to see a serious clash as there were arguments both for individual and personal rights and for the protection of children.

Schengen Croatia Hungary border
Photo: facebook.com/PoliceHungaryOfficial

EU affairs minister: Hungary’s presidency ‘distinctive’, ‘an unquestionable success’ – UPDATE

The Hungarian presidency of the European Council has been “distinctive, active and strategic, and an unquestionable success”, Janos Boka, the EU affairs minister, said on Facebook on Thursday. Briefing parliament’s foreign affairs committee on the Hungarian EU presidency earlier, Boka praised the presidency as one that had fostered “concrete decisions” on competitiveness, the integration of the Western Balkans and the enlargement of the Schengen Area.

So far, the presidency organised more than 1,000 meetings of working groups, 50 Coreper meetings, 13 informal Council meetings, and the largest diploamtic events of Hungarian history: a summit of the European Political Community and one of the European Council, he said. The Hungarian presidency aimed to become a catalyst for change, and “Hungary will keep the hope for change alive after the presidency, too,” Boka said. “The European Union must change, but that won’t happen on its own; it requires work — in cooperation with European institutions if possible — but if not, then against them,” he said.

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Many tax benefits will no longer apply to third-country nationals in Hungary from 2025

Hungary’s tax laws offer various tax benefits to eligible residents, with significant updates recently affecting third-country nationals. While the family tax allowance was accessible to many, offering substantial support based on the number of dependants, changes coming into effect from 2025 will exclude third-country nationals from several key allowances.

Tax benefits in Hungary

In Hungary, third-country nationals were eligible for certain tax benefits, particularly the family tax allowance, provided they met specific conditions. To qualify, at least 75% of their annual income had to be taxable in Hungary, and they should not have received similar benefits from another country for the same period. The family tax allowance was available for dependants, including children eligible for family support and unborn children during pregnancy.

The allowance amount varied based on the number of dependants, with increased benefits for permanently disabled or severely ill children. This allowance could be claimed either through an employer’s tax advance declaration or during the annual tax return process. However, since August 14, 2023, third-country nationals are no longer eligible for the social contribution tax allowance that employers could previously claim for newly entering the labour market.

Big changes in 2025

The recent amendments to the Hungarian income tax laws, as outlined in the Magyar Közlöny, introduced several significant changes affecting third-country nationals. One of the key updates is related to the family tax allowance, which has been adjusted to provide increased financial support based on the number of dependants. For instance, the allowance for one dependant rose to HUF 133,340 (EUR 325.25), while for two dependants, it increased to HUF 266,660 (EUR 650.47), and for three or more dependants, it reached HUF 440,000 (EUR 1,073.30) per month.

The amendments specified that both EEA citizens and citizens from non-EEA countries bordering Hungary are eligible for these tax benefits. However, it is important to note that third-country nationals are no longer eligible for social contribution tax allowances that were previously available to employers hiring new workers from outside the EU. From 1 January 2025, they will no longer be eligible for the tax credit for starting a life. However, it is still not clear whether third-country nationals would be still eligible for the family tax allowance.

We will keep our readers updated on the topic as we gain more information.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

SHEIN opens its first Hungarian store in Budapest shopping centre – UPDATED with SHEIN deny

On 10 December 2024, SHEIN made a stylish splash in Budapest by unveiling its first-ever Hungarian pop-up store at Sugár Shopping Centre. This exciting venture invites fashion enthusiasts to experience the brand’s trendy offerings in person, as eager shoppers lined up to explore a chic space brimming with affordable options.

SHEIN in Budapest

As Pénzcentrum writes, on 10 December 2024, global fashion giant SHEIN launched its first Hungarian store in Budapest’s Sugár Shopping Centre, located on Örs Vezér Square. Known for its strong online presence, the brand’s entry into the Hungarian retail market takes the form of a pop-up store, offering customers a chance to engage with the brand in person. The opening drew significant attention, with eager shoppers queuing ahead of the event to explore the modern, minimalist space showcasing a wide range of trendy clothing, shoes, accessories, and home décor products. Prices remained consistent with the online store, complemented by special promotions and exclusive gifts to mark the occasion.

SHEIN in Hungary
Photo: depositphotos.com

Fake store?

SHEIN told us that their products are only available online through their official website and app. Any stores in Hungary that claim to be SHEIN stores are not authorised by SHEIN or affiliated with them in any way, and they cannot guarantee the authenticity or quality of the products they offer. From time to time, they may host temporary offline retail “pop-up” experiences, but customers will always hear about these directly from SHEIN via their social media channels. They are taking the appropriate measures to deal with this unauthorized store and to protect their customers in Hungary. Here’s a video of the fake store:

@lauraaa_l1 Shein Store Budapesten! Megéri ellátogatni?? #fy #foryoupage #fyp #sheinstore #budapest #foryou ♬ sonido original – SONIDOS LARGOS

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Budapest mayor Karácsony slams 2025 budget as ‘anti-Budapest,’ calls for united municipal action

Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony said the government’s 2025 budget was “not only anti-Budapest but also against all municipalities” and called on mayors nationwide “to find remedy for the damage”.

Speaking at a year-closing press briefing of the National Federation of Municipalities (MÖSZ) on Wednesday, Karácsony said mayors should find leverage for the measures the government “is seeking to impose on its own municipalities as punishment”.

The government “is trying to give the false impression (…) that the solidarity contribution paid by the capital and other municipalities will help smaller, poorer municipalities,” the mayor said. Citing a Constitutional Court ruling, he added that “the solidarity contribution has no direct impact on the financing of poor localities”.

“The money they collect from us will never be received” in poorer towns, he added.

He noted that under the 2025 budget municipalities would be required to pay a combined 360 billion forints (EUR 876.2m) in solidarity contributions to the central budget, a sum 13 times higher than in 2017, when the tax was first imposed. Meanwhile, municipalities would benefit from a less than 0.5 percent increase in state financing, Karácsony said, adding that “taking inflation into consideration, municipalities will actually receive less money” than last year.

According to the mayor, Budapest will turn to “remaining instruments of the rule of law”.

“We can’t and won’t pay this toll, which will not end up with small municipalities but is meant to patch up the holes in the budget brought about by the government’s bad financial management.”

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PM Orbán: Hungary proposed Christmas ceasefire, Zelensky rejected it

“At the end of the Hungarian EU presidency we made yet another effort for peace,” Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in an entry posted on X on Wednesday evening.

Orbán proposes Christmas ceasefire

“We proposed a Christmas ceasefire and a significant exchange of prisoners of war. Regrettably, Ukrainian President Zelensky point-blank rejected this (proposal) … We have done what we were able to,” Orbán wrote.

Prior to the post, Zelensky voiced resentment that Orban had made a phone call to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky said peace and security in his country required “decidedness by the US, unity in Europe, and commitment by all partners in line with the United Nations Charter, its objectives and principles”. “No one should boost (their) personal image at the expense of unity” but focus on Europe’s common success, Zelensky said. “There can be no discussions about the war that Russia wages against Ukraine without Ukraine,” Zelensky said.

“We all hope that PM Viktor Orbán at least won’t call Assad in Moscow to listen to his hour-long lectures as well,” the Ukrainian president added.

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Happiness statistics: Hungary ranks among the least happy nations – Here’s why!

Many people think of happiness as an abstract feeling, but in reality, there are many concrete factors that influence how satisfied we are with our lives. NN Longevity’s research shows that happiness levels in Hungary are not only low but have continued to decline in recent years.

The results of the NN Longevity research show that there is a strong link between happiness and financial security. The level of happiness among the Hungarian population is low not only in comparison with Western Europe but also with neighbouring countries. The average score on a 10-point scale is only 5.4 in Hungary, below 6.4 in Romania, for instance.

Happiness Hungarians Statistics
Source: Pixabay

According to Pénzcentrum, this figure suggests that the state of mind of the country’s inhabitants is among the worst in the region. The picture is even more pessimistic when it comes to the outlook for future happiness, whereas Hungary also comes bottom. While Hungarian respondents expect to be 5.9 points happier in ten years’ time, the figure is much higher in the rest of the region, with Romanians, for example, predicting a score of 7.

Different factors in happiness

The research shows that happiness does not simply decline with age. Although young people aged 18-34 are the happiest, with an average score of 5.8, they are not followed by middle-aged people. Those aged 50-64 were slightly happier than those aged 35-49, who scored an average of 5.3.

However, this group, which should traditionally be at the height of their careers and financial stability, is carrying a heavier burden than expected. The least happy generation is the over 65s, with a happiness score of just 5.2. This finding suggests that financial and health insecurity in old age has a major impact on quality of life.

The analysis also shows that financial stability plays a crucial role in happiness. Hungarian respondents who have at least six months’ savings feel significantly happier than those who have no savings. A sense of financial insecurity significantly reduces happiness levels: those with no more than three months’ savings scored an average of 4.8 points, while those with six months’ savings scored 6.4 points.

Happiness Hungarians Statistics
Source: Pixabay

According to Portfolio, respondents also showed a significant difference in their self-assessment, with those with money set aside giving themselves an average score of 6.7, compared to an average of 5.1 for those without a reserve. This suggests that financial stability is a key determinant not only of financial welfare but also of psychological well-being.

The research also revealed that for Hungarians, a happy and meaningful life is based on several components, one of the most important of which, according to respondents, is reducing stress and achieving calmness, which is essential for a balanced life. They also highlighted the importance of spending time with loved ones, which strengthens emotional bonds, and a healthy lifestyle, which is central to maintaining physical and mental well-being.

Financial factors are also crucial: current financial well-being and future financial security are essential for people to feel balanced and satisfied. Longer life expectancy places particular emphasis on preparing for the future, as financial security in old age is essential for a comfortable life.

The challenges of retirement

According to the survey results, 63% of Hungarians consider financial security to be an essential condition for retirement. However, the majority of respondents feel that they are not doing enough to create financial security for their retirement. Only one in five Hungarians save regularly for retirement, suggesting that long-term financial planning remains a low priority for the majority of people. This low propensity to save is likely to exacerbate concerns about the future and contribute to Hungarians’ lowest levels of happiness in the region.

Retirement Happiness Hungarians Statistics
Source: Pixabay

NN Longevity’s research has clearly shown that happiness is not solely dependent on subjective factors. Financial stability, stress reduction, a healthy lifestyle and the cultivation of social relationships are all essential elements that can contribute to a balanced and satisfying life. In the case of Hungary, it would be particularly important for people to place more emphasis on long-term financial planning, as this has a major impact not only on current but also on future levels of happiness.

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Hungarian FM Szijjártó: Hungarian government proposed Christmas ceasefire, exchange of POWs

Hungary’s government has proposed a Christmas ceasefire and prisoner exchange in Ukraine, but the Ukrainian leadership has rejected it, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said in Budapest on Wednesday.

Szijjártó talks about Hungary’s proposal

Szijjártó said that after Prime Minister Viktor Orbán tabled the proposal during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Hungarian government contacted Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian presidential office. “The communication channels are open in every direction, and we would like to keep them that way, as that is the only hope for peace and for peace talks,” Szijjártó said, according to a ministry statement.

“What a shame that President Zelensky, in a public post on X a few minutes ago, excluded and rejected everything we talked about in the morning,” Szijjarto said.

“We have done everything in our power. The Hungarian peace mission was a constant theme of the Hungarian presidency, and we hope that peace will soon return to the region. It is obvious that we will have to make strenuous efforts for that,” he said.

Meanwhile, Szijjártó said he also had talks with Alexandr Novak, the Russian deputy prime minister for energy affairs, and “clarified legal solutions that will ensure preserving the Hungarian-Russian energy cooperation, and so Hungary’s energy security.”

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Timisoara 1989: Hungarian National Museum marks 35th anniversary of Romanian revolution

An exhibition dubbed Timisoara 1989, commemorating the anniversary of Romania’s democratic revolution, opened at the Hungarian National Museum on Wednesday.

Speaking at the exhibition’s opening, János Nagy, the leading state secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, said that 35 years ago Romania’s freedom “started from a small parish” in Timisoara (Temesvár). He said László Tőkés and the Timisoara rebels had become “examples of courage and heroism”. “In 1989 two peoples, two nations, fought for freedom and central Europe together,” Nagy said.

The exhibition, which features 21 photography tableaux, 90 contemporary photo reproductions and enlargements of 12 contemporary documents, runs until Jan 15.

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Top Hungary news: Slovenia-Hungary border controls, new Wizz flight to Italy, Austrian ambulances in Hungary, murder case — 11 December, 2024

We’ve rounded up today’s best Hungary news; check them out below!

Featured Hungary news:

Dubai chocolate:

Healthcare system failures:

  • Critical failures disrupt services at Budapest hospital: Equipment failures, burst pipes, resignations

Crime, murder:

Politics:

Featured image: depositphotos.com

FM Szijjártó: Hungary and Russia are committed to maintaining energy cooperation

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and President Vladimir Putin have held extensive phone talks and both are in full agreement that everything must be done to maintain energy cooperation, Péter Szijjártó, the foreign minister, said on Wednesday.

Hungary’s energy security, the war in Ukraine, and developments in Syria were discussed during the talks lasting more than an hour. Szijjártó said the current US administration had made it hard for some central and south-east European countries, including Hungary, to make payments for natural gas and nuclear fuel by placing Gazprombank under sanctions.

Slovakia, Serbia and Turkey also face similar challenges, and consultations with these countries, too, were underway, he said. Szijjártó said Orbán and Putin had agreed that all avenues must be explored exhaustively “to eliminate this problem”. Putin made it clear that Russia is committed to maintaining energy cooperation and guaranteeing Hungary’s energy supply, he said, adding that there was nothing on either Hungary’s or Russia’s part to prevent a solution from being found.

He said a solution had already been found for fuel rods for Hungary’s nuclear power plant, and payment methods for the Paks expansion development, as well as for natural gas trade, were being worked out. Szijjártó noted that he had spoken with Alexei Likhachev, the chief executive of Rosatom, about speeding up the Paks project, and he would also hold a meeting with Alexander Novak, the Russian deputy PM in charge of energy affairs, in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, regarding Ukraine, the minister stressed the importance of keeping diplomatic and communication channels open in the current unprecedentedly dangerous period. Hungary, he added, has maintained its peace stance for a thousand days, and Orbán had spoken at length with Putin today on achieving a sustainable peace settlement.

Szijjártó said Putin had mentioned obstacles to peace such as the Ukrainian law that “essentially prohibits the current presidential administration from negotiating peace” with Putin. He noted that Orbán visited Florida this week to meet Donald Trump and also met the pope at the Vatican as part of efforts towards forging a peace settlement. “[We] will continue the Hungarian peace mission, seeking the fastest path to peace in order to save lives,” he said.

Regarding Syria and the Kremlin’s position, he said Putin had indicated an interest in ensuring stability and peace in the Middle East “so that extremist ideologies and political movements” cannot further undermine security there. Hungary, he added, was focused on the situation of Christian communities and would continue to provide them with the humanitarian support necessary.

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Austrian ambulances could soon assist Hungarian patients for faster emergency response

Thanks to a recently signed Austrian-Hungarian agreement, ambulances from Austria may now assist Hungarian patients if they can reach the emergency site faster than Hungarian rescue teams. This development was reported by ORF’s Hungarian-language news site.

Cross-border cooperation for better emergency care

The agreement, finalised during the summer and approved by the Hungarian Parliament in November, aims to improve emergency services along the Austrian-Hungarian border, ORF reported. It allows rescue dispatchers in Burgenland and western Hungary to request mutual assistance when needed. This is particularly beneficial in cases where an Austrian ambulance can respond faster to an emergency in Hungary or if the closest hospital to a critically ill patient is located across the border.

austria ambulance
Photo: Wikimedia/Lukas Raich

The cooperation will also extend to air rescue services, ensuring that severe cases, including accidents and critical illnesses, can receive timely and effective treatment. Both countries expect this collaboration to enhance safety and healthcare access for patients in border regions.

Benefits for both nations

The agreement is not one-sided. If an Austrian resident suffers an accident in Hungary, local authorities can call for Austrian medical services to transport the patient to a hospital in Austria. The personnel involved in these cross-border operations will have equal rights and responsibilities as their counterparts in the host country.

This arrangement ensures that emergency responders can work seamlessly, overcoming bureaucratic barriers that might otherwise delay critical care. It is designed to save time and lives in situations where every second counts.

Implementation details to follow

Further specifics of this cross-border agreement will be clarified in an upcoming cooperation contract between Burgenland’s provincial leader and Hungary’s Minister of the Interior, Telex wrote based on ORF’s report. This document will outline the exact rules for mobilising ambulances and utilising hospitals in the neighbouring country. It will also establish communication protocols between Austrian and Hungarian rescue dispatch centres, ensuring that the system operates smoothly and efficiently.

This groundbreaking collaboration marks a significant step toward integrated emergency care in the region, offering faster and safer solutions for patients on both sides of the Austrian-Hungarian border.

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After Putin, Orbán is to meet Erdoğan for talks

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is scheduled to have talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara on Thursday before attending the closing event of the Hungarian-Turkish cultural season, the PM’s press chief said.

Erdoğan and Orbán will discuss current international affairs, including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, chances of peace, and bilateral matters, Bertalan Havasi said in a statement.

EPC summit
Photo: FB/Orbán Viktor

Hungary and Turkiye elevated their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership in late 2023, he noted, adding that cooperation had quickly developed since.

Havasi added that more than 150 events have been organised in the two countries as part of the Hungarian-Turkish cultural season.

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24-year-old murder solved: Identity of little Hungarian boy Tamás Till’s killer revealed

The police have finally solved the 24-year-old mystery surrounding the murder of Tamás Till, revealing that the killer was 16 years old at the time of the crime, announced Gyula Bogdány, Deputy Head of the Criminal Division at the Bács-Kiskun County Police Headquarters. Till, who disappeared 24 years ago, at the age of 11, was found dead this past summer, buried in cement on a farm in Baja. Experts discovered fractures in the ribs, skull, and spine of the skeletal remains.

Since the summer, the police have questioned over 40 people as witnesses and worked with numerous experts. The breakthrough came when János F., a former suspect, confessed to the crime. János F. came under suspicion after it was revealed that he had coerced several witnesses into giving false testimony, 444.hu reported.

Tamás Till’s murderer confessed

The police re-interrogated János F. for the fourth time on 28 November, and he finally admitted to killing Tamás Till and provided a detailed confession. According to his account, on the day of the murder, he met Tamás Till, a boy he didn’t know, on a nearby industrial road, and invited him to the farm under the pretence of needing help.

Once there, János F. attacked the unsuspecting boy without any apparent reason and killed him with a cramp iron.

He later hid the body in a storage building, covered it with a tarp, and buried it, knowing that the area would soon be paved over by József V., the farm’s owner. He discarded the boy’s bike in the overgrown back part of the property, where it was found by a neighbour in July and later confirmed by the police in September.

When József V. returned to the farm, he reprimanded János F. for not progressing with the work, but he never discovered the murder.

On the following Sunday, József V. and another colleague poured cement over the floor, unaware of what lay beneath.

János F., now a 40-year-old family man and entrepreneur in Budapest, never revealed the details of the crime until his confession.

Despite his age at the time, János F.’s criminal liability had expired in 2015, meaning he could only be questioned as a witness and was allowed to leave freely after his interrogation.

High-profile unsolved crime

The murder of Tamás Till had remained one of the most high-profile unsolved crimes in Hungary for 24 years. On 28 May 2000, Till, then a young boy at the age of 11, disappeared while riding his bike to a nearby wildlife park. His bicycle was found three months later, carefully cleaned and placed against a fence.

The breakthrough in the case came this summer when authorities learned that a former resident of a local orphanage, K., had been involved in hiding a child’s body in 2000 under duress. The body was later found under the concrete floor of a building on the farm. DNA testing confirmed the identity as Tamás Till.

The investigation was complicated by the fact that K. committed suicide in 2011, and József V. took his own life in 2021. János F. had previously made statements about the case, but they were inconsistent with his later confession.

Over the years, many false leads emerged, including an anonymous caller who claimed to have seen Till at a train station a year after his disappearance, insisting the boy was alive and knew where he was. The police repeatedly revisited the case, but it wasn’t until this summer that new information led to the breakthrough, 444.hu wrote.

Tamás Till was laid to rest on 5 December, in a white coffin.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Budapest International Documentary Film Festival returns: 60 stories of everyday heroes

“There lies a film within you too,” smiles György Cserhalmi from the BIDF poster. Between 25th January and 2nd February 2025, the 11th Budapest International Documentary Film Festival, BIDF, will open with this slogan.

60 festival films tell us about ourselves, their stories are similar to our stories, we, who are the everyday heroes of our own lives, with our everyday struggles for the realisation of our everyday desires, in our everyday families, held captive by our ever-present everyday fears. The themes of both the competition and out-of-competition sections of the festival are organised around these ideas.

In the last days of January in Budapest (Cinema City Mammut) and 10 other cities (Békéscsaba, Debrecen, Eger, Jászberény, Kecskemét, Pécs, Szeged, Székesfehérvár, Szombathely, Veszprém), nearly 200 screenings of 60 films await their audiences once again. Oscar-winning directors (Daniel Roher: Antidote, Oliver Stone: LULA, the President), the best director of the Cannes Film Festival (Sergej Loznica: Invasion), as well as European and Sundance award-winning film-makers and the most outstanding new films from Hungary, are all included in the program.

BIDF always provides its audience with a real social experience as, after the screenings, they get to meet the invited creators of the world’s most prestigious, multiple award-winning films, talk to them and muse with experts. The prizes, as ever, are awarded by a prestigious international jury of 30 people.

Ticket sales start two weeks before Christmas, on December 10th.

More information on the festival’s official pages:

www.bidf.hu | Linkedin | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | X | Tiktok |

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Amazing news: Wizz Air launches new route between Budapest and Italian paradise!

Wizz Air has announced the launch of a new route connecting Venice and Budapest, with flights set to begin on 8 March. Initially, the airline will operate two flights per week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, with an additional Thursday service starting in April.

venice italy wizz air budapest
Venice, Italy. Photo: depositphotos.com

According to AIRportal.hu’s report, the flights will be available until 25 October 2025, and will be operated by Wizz’s Maltese subsidiary from Venice’s Marco Polo Airport. Passengers can now book tickets for the new route through the airline’s booking system.

This new connection offers more travel options for passengers looking to explore the beautiful city of Venice or visit Budapest, Hungary’s vibrant capital.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com