Hungary

PHOTOS: Dua Lipa is in Budapest and she’s spending Christmas here!

Christmas gift arrived early for Dua Lipa fans: the British-Albanian singer who already bagged three Grammies and won the love of tens of millions of people arrived in Budapest to stay until January. Here’s how you can meet her.

Dua Lipa is in Budapest

“Our Christmas gift arrived early: you asked, and we made it happen! Until the end of January, you can meet Dua Lipa’s figure in the attraction. One of your favourite singers flew straight from Amsterdam to us so you can party to her greatest hits together”, Madame Tussauds Budapest wrote in a Facebook post.

One of the most popular contemporary singer’s wax “alter ego” will remain in the Hungarian capital for a couple of weeks.

The superstar herself participated actively in the creation of her lifelike wax doppelganger since the artists needed her to remain still for hours to record her biological data. In Budapest, she’s wearing an extravagant satin dress that she wore in 2018, Turizmus Online wrote.

Dua Lipa is in Budapest and she spends Christmas here
Dua Lipa in the Madame Tussauds Budapest. Photo: FB/Madame Tussauds Budapest

“If I wasn’t a singer, I’d probably be a fairy tale princess,” Dua Lipa once said. She is still below 30, but her career resembles a fairy tale already. Born to a family of Albanian origins in London, Dua Lipa moved back to London alone when she was only 15 to make her dreams come true. Now, she has three Grammies, the unquestionable love of tens of millions of people and four Madame Tussauds figures. Dua Lipa is currently one of the most valuable brands.

The singer’s wax figure came from Amsterdam and will stay at the Dorottya Street in Budapest until the end of January. Interestingly, she inaugurated her wax figure in Amsterdam in 2019. Here are some photos:

Some of the tattoos are also visible

Dua Lipa is a fan of discrete tattoos. She currently has 18 and some can be seen even on her wax figure in Budapest. For example, the inscription “Patience” on her left hand that reminds her to remain calm and patient. Other tattoos designed by the world-famous graffiti artist Keith Haring are also visible on the figure’s fingers.

Dua Lipa’s tattoos remind the singer of her past and the road that led her to where she is. Among others, her tattoos feature her family and even the annual Sunny Hill festival, which she organises with her father in Kosovo. The name is derived from a district in Pristina.

Dua Lipa is in Budapest and she spends Christmas here
Photo: FB/Madame Tussauds Amsterdam

The figure wears a satin dress designed by Alessandra Rich. Millions of fans were able to see the loose, bold outfit at the 2018 Billboard Awards.

Dua Lipa performed twice at the Sziget Festival in Budapest. Furthermore, this summer, she visited Hungary in complete secrecy to record a video for her song “Falling Forever”. Unfortunately, her 2025 World Tour will not include Budapest, but her wax figure will stay in Budapest for more than a month.

Read also:

  • Madame Tussauds Budapest is very Hungarian – Photo gallery and details HERE
  • Madame Tussauds Budapest awaits visitors with special Halloween programmes – read more and check out some more photos HERE

Balaton light ferry and decorated Budapest cogwheel railway makes Advent brighter – PHOTO GALLERIES

The Balatoni Hajózási Ltd. reported that passengers can cross Lake Balaton by the famous and astonishing light ferry daily. Furthermore, in Budapest, a decorated cogwheel railway serves passengers during Advent to make everyone’s Christmas happier and brighter.

New ferries, Balaton light ferry in operation during the Advent and Christmas period

According to turizmus.com, the company wrote on their official Facebook page that Lake Balaton’s light ferry carries passengers daily. In the morning, you may travel with the beautifully decorated light ferry between 7 AM and 8.15 AM. In the afternoon, you may take the ferry for a ride between 4 PM and 5.15 PM.

We wrote HERE that the state-owned Balaton Shipping Company (Bahart) received brand-new ferries and catamarans in 2023 built at the Komárom shipyard. The EUR 5 billion investment was made possible by the state’s capital increase of more than EUR 6 billion in Bahart in 2019.

First and foremost, the boats improved the transportation options for people living around Lake Balaton. Additionally, tourists can now have a better experience, and the crossing between the shores of the lake is also faster. Moreover, the vessels can transport more bicycles than the previous boats. The development could also reduce car traffic around Lake Balaton. Finally, one of the boats could be decorated for the Advent season to provide a unique experience for all passengers on board.

Decorated cogwheel railway in service

According to the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK), the Budapest cogwheel railway’s interior and exterior have been dressed in decorative lighting. The LED lighting contains 11,412 LED bulbs and is 500 metres long. The cabin is decorated with light nets and neatly placed artificial pine.

Check out the operating days and routes of the illuminated tram fleet of the BKK below:

Operating days and routies of the illuminated tram fleet
Photo: BKK

Read also:

  • Advent light trains, buses, and HÉV trains carry passengers from today! – PHOTOS and details HERE
  • Advent light tram sets off in Miskolc with stunning illuminations – Look inside and out here

Hungarian embassy in Paris receives threat, says Foreign Minister Szijjártó

Staff at Hungary’s embassy in Paris have received a life threat in an email, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó said on Facebook on Saturday, adding that French police were searching the premises at the time of his post.

The sender of the email had attached the image of a home-made bomb, but such a device has not yet been discovered, Szijjártó said.

Szijjártó said the email “is believed to have arrived from a neighbouring country,” adding that the Hungarian secret services were also investigating the case.

Read also:

  • Hungarian opposition politician teams up with French national TV to film the Orbán mansion – VIDEO and more HERE

Culinary triumph: Michelin Guide acknowledges an unprecedented number of Hungarian restaurants

Hungary’s culinary scene is sizzling with success, as the latest Michelin Guide awards celebrate a wave of new stars, eco-conscious honours, and a surge in Bib Gourmand restaurants, cementing the country’s place on the global food map.

This year’s Michelin Guide Awards

As Turizmus.com writes, Hungary’s gastronomy scene achieved remarkable recognition at the Michelin Guide Awards on 10 December. Pajta in Őriszentpéter received its first Michelin star as a newcomer, while all previously starred restaurants retained their titles. This year’s Michelin Guide spotlighted Hungary’s growing culinary excellence, with 78 restaurants recommended, marking a significant leap from previous years. The prestigious list now includes 57 Michelin plate restaurants, 10 of them new, showcasing the diversity and quality of Hungarian cuisine.

Hungary performs well in the region

The country also celebrated an increase in Bib Gourmand establishments, known for offering affordable yet high-quality dining, rising from six to eleven. Environmental sustainability was recognised too, with Natura Hill in Zebegény earning a Green Star, joining five other eco-conscious restaurants. Towns like Tata, Esztergom, and Őriszentpéter joined Budapest in boasting Michelin-starred venues, further enhancing Hungary’s gastronomic appeal. These achievements by the Michelin Guide underscore Hungary’s growing reputation as a destination for food enthusiasts and strengthen its position ahead of regional competitors like Serbia and the Czech Republic.

Further recognitions

Beyond culinary excellence, Hungary’s performance in the Michelin Guide has far-reaching effects on tourism and international perception. Awards for individual excellence, such as the Sommelier Award to Mátyás Székely and the Young Chef Award to Levente Lendvai, highlighted the talent driving this success. The Opening of the Year Award recognised Iszkor in Mályinka, one of the six new Bib Gourmand restaurants. As Hungary continues to impress on the global gastronomic stage, its vibrant culinary scene promises to attract more visitors, cementing its status as a must-visit destination for fine dining and unique flavours.

Two Michelin stars:

  • Platán Gourmet, Tata
  • Stand, Budapest

One Michelin star:

  • Pajta – Őriszentpéter (new)
  • 42 – Esztergom
  • Salt – Budapest
  • Costes – Budapest
  • Borkonyha Winekitchen – Budapest
  • Babel – Budapest
  • Rumour – Budapest
  • Essencia – Budapest

BIB Gourmand:

  • Iszkor – Mályinka (new)
  • Újváros Bisztró – Szarvas (new)
  • N28 Wine and Kitchen – Budapest (new)
  • Goli – Budapest (new)
  • Platán Bisztró – Tata (new)
  • Macok – Eger
  • Morzsa – Pécs
  • Casa Christa – Balatonszőlős
  • Sparhelt – Balatonfüred
  • Kistücsök – Balatonszemes
  • Anyukám mondta – Encs

Green star:

  • Natura Hill – Zebegény (new)
  • Graefl Major Kétútköz – Poroszló
  • Onyx Mühely – Budapest
  • Salt – Budapest
  • Villa Kabala – Szigliget

Recommended restaurants:

  • Szaletly – Budapest (new)
  • Kollázs – Budapest (new)
  • Zazie Bistro – Budapest (new)
  • Teyföl – Szentendre (new)
  • Füge – Biatorbágy (new)
  • Cut & Barrel – Budapest (new)
  • Sho Tihany – Tihany (new)
  • Virtu – Budapest (new)
  • Aleli – Budapest (new)
  • Bilanx – Budapest (new)
  • Natura Hill – Zebegény
  • Kreinbacher Birtok – Somlóvásárhely
  • Hoppá! Bistro – Budapest
  • A Konyhám Stúdió 365 – Fonyód
  • Hosszú Tányér – Hosszúhetény
  • füge – Tihany
  • Öreg Prés – Mór
  • Zelna Borbisztró – Balatonfüred
  • Tihanyi Vinarius – Tihany
  • Alkimista Kulináris Műhely – Szeged
  • Horgonyzó Kisvendéglő – Tiszalök
  • Rutin – Budaörs
  • Neked Főztem – Zánka
  • Zip’s – Miskolc
  • Avalon – Miskolc
  • NOON – Balatonfüred
  • GÓRÉ – Kisharsány
  • Graefl Major Kétútköz – Poroszló
  • Umo – Budapest
  • Bobajka – Tarcal
  • Botanica – Dánszentmiklós
  • Csopaki Resti by Laurel – Csopak
  • MoszkvaTéЯ Bisztró – Budapest
  • Tati – Budapest
  • White Salon – Budapest
  • Zincenco Kitchen – Budapest
  • FLAVA – Budapest
  • Fricska 2.0 – Budapest
  • Piac 42 – Esztergom
  • Nobu Budapest – Budapest
  • Costes Downtown – Budapest
  • Onyx Mühely – Budapest
  • St. Andrea – Budapest
  • Textúra – Budapest
  • Mák – Budapest
  • Arany Kaviár – Budapest
  • Víg Molnár Csárda – Csopak
  • IKON – Debrecen
  • LAMAREDA – Győr
  • Kővirág -Köveskál
  • Végállomás Bistro&Wine – Miskolc
  • 67 Sigma – Székesfehérvár
  • Sauska 48 – Villány
  • Villa Kabala – Szigliget
  • Stand25 Bisztró – Budapest
  • FELIX Kitchen & More – Budapest
  • Spago by Wolfgang Puck – Budapest

Special awards:

  • Young Chef Award 2024: Lendvai Levente, Virtu – Budapest
  • Opening of the Year Award 2024: Iszkor – Mályinka
  • Service Award: Lisztes Ivett, N28 Wine and Kitchen – Budapest
  • Sommelier Award: Székely Mátyás, 42 – Esztergom

Read also:

Featured image: depositphotos.com

New motorway stretch, twin tube tunnel inaugurated in Hungary – PHOTOS

Local and central government officials inaugurated a 4-kilometre new motorway stretch of the M85 motorway, between the city of Sopron and the border with Austria, on Saturday.

The stretch, which includes a 780-metre twin tube tunnel, was built at a cost of HUF 67.2bn, funded entirely with state resources. The stretch was built by a consortium of Domper, Subterra-Raab and Pannon-Doprastav.

Sopron only able to develop when connected to world around it, says PM Orbán
Throughout its history, the city of Sopron has only been able to develop when it was connected to the world around it, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in Sopron, in western Hungary, on Saturday, at the inauguration of the final stretch of the M85 motorway and the Vienna Hill tunnel.

In his speech, Orbán noted that in 1921 Sopron and its surrounding villages voted in a referendum to remain within Hungary’s borders, but the global powers had separated Hungarians with the new borders forced on them. But, he added, the fact that “we are here 103 years later” was a testament to the nation’s strength and its confidence in the future.

The prime minister said that after the first world war Hungary’s enemies had decided that Hungarians “should be small and poor”. But Hungarians never accepted this fate, and “we always wanted Hungary to be a big and rich country”. “If we lose the war, we’ll win peace,” Orbán said. He said Hungarians had always lost out when the nation had been “pushed to civilisational borders”. “We were on the losing end when the Christian-Islam civilisational border was located on the country’s territory, centuries of war cost Hungarian lives, and the country’s economic strength was also lost,” he said.

New motorway stretch, twin tube tunnel inaugurated in Hungary
Photo: MTI

“We were also losers of the Cold War when we were ripped away from Europe,” the prime minister said. “Sopron was also a loser of this period, with the most difficult period in its history being the time when the Iron Curtain was but a few kilometres away, multiplying all the tragedies of the Trianon peace treaty.”

Sopron has only been able to develop when it was connected to the world around it, Orbán said. The Sopron area connects not just north and south, but also east and west, and is where the Carpathian Basin meets the Alps region, Orbán said. “And what’s true for Sopron is also true for Hungary: it can only develop if it can take advantage of its favourable geographical location and if it connects to the world around it instead of closing itself off,” the prime minister added.

He said this required active political and economic relations as well as infrastructure connecting the country to the rest of the world such as airports, railways, bridges and motorways.

New motorway stretch, twin tube tunnel inaugurated in Hungary
Photo: MTI

He said his government had decided to turn areas that had been on the periphery during the Cold War into central hubs and “put Hungary on the map, in the middle of Europe”.

The government has spent 4,200 billion forints (EUR 10.3bn) on public road developments over the last 15 years, building 870 kilometres of motorways and highways, Orbán said.

Including the M85 motorway, there are now 10 expressways that extend to the country’s borders compared to just three in 2010, Orbán  said.

The completion of the M85 links it with the Austrian border and the entire Hungarian motorway network, he said.

Romania’s accession to the European Union’s passport-free Schengen zone meant that “we have eliminated the Romania-Hungary border”, he said, adding that Saturday’s inauguration could be considered connecting Hungarians in Burgenland with Hungarians in Transylvania.

New motorway stretch, twin tube tunnel inaugurated in Hungary
Photo: MTI

He said next year will see the M44 expressway linked to the motorway at Kecskemet, in central Hungary, and preparatory works are under way on road M49 as well as the new section of the M4 motorway. Today there are ten four-lane expressways that extend to the border, but that number will rise to 19 within ten years, he added.

Next year the government will spend some 8,100 forints on more than 300 investment projects which will make Hungary a “real connection point” and a commercial and logistics hub in Europe.

Orbán said his plan was that in 2025 “we’ll push the clouds of war aside”, adding that the government was working to make 2025 “a fantastic year” for the economy.

BMW and China’s CATL and BYD plants will start production and the Demjan Sandor Programme which aims to scale up SMEs will also be launched, the prime minister said.

Wages will rise, and Hungary will see an unprecedented minimum wage increase over the next three years, he added.

Read also:

The ‘Butcher of Csantavér’ revealed who stabbed a Hungarian mother 70 times in Amsterdam

The mother of a 2-month-old infant was killed in the Red Light District of Amsterdam, and the Dutch authorities made a last attempt in November to reveal the identity of the murderer. They created the life-size hologram of the 19-year-old woman reaching out for help. It seems it rang a bell in the prison of Szeged where Csaba Dér, the butcher of Csantavér, wrote to the Dutch authorities that he knew the murderer of the young Hungarian woman working as a prostitute in Amsterdam until the terrible night of 19 February 2009. Read more about the bloodcurdling details in our article below.

The butcher of Csantavér, Csaba Dér, remembers

We detailed HERE how the Dutch police would like to solve a 15-year-old mystery case involving the brutal murder of a Hungarian prostitute. In a desperate move, they created the life-size hologram of Bernadett Szabó (Betty), being only 19 when her life was violently ended with 70 stabs.

Life size hologram Betty Szabó Netherlands murder
The life-size hologram of Betty Szabó asking for help. Photo: FB/Politie Eenheid Amsterdam

Dutch authorities hoped somebody would remember something helpful to find the murderer and solve the case. They also offered a EUR 30,000 reward. And it seems they were successful.

Csaba Dér, the butcher of Csantavér, serving his life sentence in the Szeged prison, wrote an 11-page-long letter to the Dutch authorities revealing the details. His lawyer told Blikk that, in the letter, he named the perpetrator.

According to Telex, he wrote he executed the perpetrator, a Croatian gangster, whom he shot in a local restaurant. Based on Mr Dér’s lawyer, Krisztián Gulyás, he did so to protect his life as a preventive action. But he already knew by then that the man had murdered a woman. He learned that information from an arms dealer from whom he bought his pistol before the homicide.

The Croatian gangster killed the woman with 70 stabs

Mr Dér got a life sentence for executing a Dutch man in the Netherlands in 2018 with a headshot and a Hungarian drug dealer in Budapest later.

Csaba Dér in Amsterdam:

Telex wrote he would offer the award of the Dutch authorities to charity, but he wanted to negotiate with them. He said Betty’s murderer was a ladykiller who all feared in Amsterdam back then. He liked to torture and beat women. He was very violent with women, humiliated sex workers, and probably killed the Hungarian woman because she asked him to behave.

Csaba Dér was put together with the murderer of a 36-year-old mother, whom he killed while jogging in Soroksár in 2013. Dér beat Szilveszter Rakovec in the cell for what he did. Dér’s lawyer said he could not bear femicide and people who killed women.

The first page of his testimony claiming he cannot stand people who killed women, children:

Read also:

  • 24-year-old murder solved: Identity of little Hungarian boy Tamás Till’s killer revealed
  • Irish man’s arrest in American woman’s murder case extended by three months

Deputy FM Magyar in Florida to negotiate with future Trump administration

Levente Magyar, a state secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has started business talks in Florida on strengthening economic ties between Hungary and the United States, building on the good ties with the incoming US administration.

Magyar said in a statement on Friday that the excellent ties between Hungary and the Trump administration could pave the way for new opportunities in the area of economic cooperation. On the basis of the talks, products and services could appear in Hungary that would benefit the whole economy, he added.

Among the people with whom Magyar met was the investor Tamás Péterffy.

Deputy FM Levente Magyar
Deputy FM Magyar. Photo: MTI

Official: Age of sovereignty has arrived

2025 will usher in “a new age of sovereignty”, Balázs Orbán, the Prime Minister’s political director said, addressing the Budapest Global Dialogue conference on Friday. He said 2024 marked the end of an old era of an obsolete neoliberalism which had neither worked in the EU nor the US. Participating in a roundtable at the the conference organised by the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation, Orbán said the Western world was undergoing a shake-up and hopefully the biggest success of 2025 would be the end of the Russia-Ukraine war, “which has caused serious damage to the entire world”.

He said there was already “political momentum” to end the war thanks to new forces in the EU, the US, India and China. “We’re optimistic,” he said. “I think we can convince the warring parties to find a path to peace.” Commenting on the US elections, Orbán said the outcome was down to issues such as migration and law enforcement policy as well as the situation of the judiciary and “the stagnation of the economy”. He added that changes in America would positively affect the rest of the world, adding that a strong US, China and Europe, would have a stabilising effect.

Max Abrahms, a professor of political science at Northeastern University, said US foreign policy would discard liberal internationalism and become more transactional, adding that the US foreign policy would not be uniform but “differ from country to country and region to region”.

Austrian geopolitical strategist Velina Tchakarova said US-EU relations were likely to see a positive turn. “We have reached a crossroads”, she said, adding that the bloc would have to change its methods because Europe was now among the losers. The big question, she said, was how Europeans could solve security issues while meeting challenges related to industry and climate change.

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Government-close pollster says Péter Magyar is losing popular support

The governing parties have a comfortable lead, while more and more potential voters have been put off by Peter Magyar’s opposition Tisza Party over the past month, according to a Századvég December poll.

Among those who are certain or likely to vote, the Fidesz-Christian Democrat alliance had 40 percent support, followed by Tisza with 31 percent, the think-tank said on Friday.

The Two-Tailed Dog Party was in third place with 7 percent, while Our Homeland Movement was on 6 percent.

The Democratic Coalition, Momentum and Socialists were below the 5 percent threshold for entering parliament, while 7 percent were undecided.

Among decided voters, the Fidesz-led alliance had 42 percent support, while Tisza had 34 percent. The two parties definitely in contention for seats in parliament were on 7 percent, while 5 percent would vote for the Democratic Coalition (Momentum and Socialists have 3 and 1 percent support, respectively).

Szazadvég said that Magyar’s standing had worsened due to incidents involving the politician and the ensuring negative press coverage in recent weeks, and he personally had a negative approval rating of minus 12 percent in November, while this fell to minus 18 percent the following month.

Read also:

  • Orbán’s challenger Péter Magyar denounces his ex-girlfriend, expels her from his party
  • The Hungarian Watergate? Opposition leader Péter Magyar exposes alleged Government surveillance plot!

Tax benefits change, 3rd-country guest workers will earn less in 2025 in Hungary!

Ukrainian and Serbian guest workers in Hungary should not be worried about the changes; however, Vietnamese, Indian, Kyrgyz, Kazakh, Montenegrin, Venezuelan, etc. employees will earn less if they raise children, are below 25, or get a tax benefit due to marriage.

New rules will decrease the salaries of many guest workers in Hungary

Regarding tax benefits, the Hungarian state is rather generous to families raising three or more children. On the other hand, allowances based on social status are much lower than in most European countries because the Hungarian government believes such financial help should only be given to those who work and, as a result, contribute to the country’s GDP increase.

Although the Hungarian government seemed committed to attracting guest workers to Hungary with several alleviations, a significant change is coming in 2025 thanks to the modification of tax laws in Hungary.

According to Telex, many guest workers will no longer be eligible for family tax benefits, lose the allowance for young couples in first marriage, and can no longer receive the tax benefits for employees under 25.

Hungary"s population Hungary guest workers government ban golden visa guest workers in Hungary third-country nationals' tax benefits
There are around 70 thousand unfilled positions in Hungary. Photo: depositphotos.com

The good news is that the modified tax rules do not apply to guest workers coming from neighbouring countries. Therefore, Ukrainians and Serbians should not be worried. However, all other citizens coming from non-EEA countries should be aware that their revenues may fall next year.

Three types of tax benefits will be unavailable

According to Telex, based on the LV. Law of 2024 about the change of several tax laws, from January, Vietnamese, Indian, Indonesian, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Venezuelan, Montenegrin, Filipino, etc. workers may earn less. The reason is that they and all other 3rd-country nationals not coming from the neighbouring countries will no longer be eligible for family tax allowance, the allowance for young couples in first marriage, and the tax benefits for employees under 25.

Telex wrote that one of the biggest Hungarian HR companies informed its employees about the changes. That means all of them will have to pay 15% personal income tax and 18.5% social security contribution. The calculation is simple: your gross wage minus 33.5% will be your net salary paid in cash or transferred to your bank account.

This means that if a 3rd-country employee not from neighbouring countries like Ukraine or Serbia is employed for a HUF 450,000 (EUR 1,100) gross wage per month, he gets HUF 299,250 (EUR 731) even if he e.g. raises three or more kids.

Employees raising one kid will get HUF 10,000 (EUR 24) less, and that number increases to HUF 40,000 (EUR 98) in the case of two kids and HUF 99,000 (EUR 242) in the case of three kids. Young employees under 25 will receive 15% less (because they will have to pay personal income tax), while young couples in first marriage will get HUF 5,000 (EUR 12) less.

Stricter conditions to hire guest workers

Earlier this year, the Orbán cabinet introduced stricter rules concerning the employment of guest workers. First, employers punished with administrative or OSHA fines in the previous 12 months cannot hire a guest worker. Secondly, they cannot hire a guest worker from a third country if they were punished for illegally employing guest workers before. Finally, employers under compulsory liquidation, and forced strike-off cannot hire a guest worker. Moreover, if a Hungarian employer rejects to hire a Hungarian job seeker due to unsupported claims, they should expect sanctions.

According to Telex, employers believe those modifications did not prevent the growth of the number of Asian guest workers in Hungary. FM Péter Szijjártó talked about 128,000 workers from countries outside of the European Union in Hungary in October. Of course, the majority of them are Ukrainians and Serbians. Meanwhile, the number of unfilled positions stood at 71,000 then.

The increase in the number of guest workers flattened

Károly Radnai, the CEO of Andersen Adótanácsadó Ltd, agreed with the abolishment of the tax benefits for 3rd-country guest workers since the government’s aim is not to settle those employees. According to the latest data from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH), the number of guest workers in Hungary stagnated in the past few months. Telex or the KSH did not give a reason, but it is a fact that the Hungarian government is struggling with multiple structural problems, and GDP growth is expected to be extremely low this year.

Read also:

Featured image: depositphotos.com

Hungary’s industrial sector output falls due to struggling battery manufacturing sector

Output of Hungary’s industrial sector edged down 0.2pc in October, a detailed release of data by the Central Statistics Office (KSH) on Friday shows.

The detailed data show output of the automotive industry, Hungary’s biggest manufacturing sector, fell 3.9pc year-on-year in October. The segment accounted for 26pc of manufacturing output during the month.

Output of the computer, electronics and optical equipment segment, accounting for 11.0pc of manufacturing, rose 16.3pc. Output of the electrical equipment segment, which made up 9.4pc of manufacturing output, fell 16.9pc. Output of the food, drinks and tobacco segment, which made up 13pc of manufacturing sector output, climbed 2.7pc.

Adjusted for the number of workdays, headline output was down 3.1pc. In a month-on-month comparison, output was up 2.0pc, on a seasonally- and workday-adjusted basis.

According to Forbes, despite the Hungarian government’s allegations, the output of the Hungarian industry does not keep falling because of the struggling German economy but due to the malaise of the battery industry.

Construction sector output slips 0.5pc in October

Output of Hungary’s construction sector edged down 0.5pc year-on-year in October, data released by the Central Statistics Office (KSH) on Friday show. Output of the buildings segment fell 5.7pc but civil engineering output climbed 7.5pc. In absolute terms, construction sector output reached HUF 679bn in October. The buildings segment accounted for 57pc of the total.

In a month-on-month comparison, construction sector output rose 4.6pc, adjusted for seasonal and workday effects. Order stock was 31.8pc higher at the end of October than twelve months earlier. Buildings segment orders inched down 2.2pc but civil engineering orders jumped 66.0pc.

New orders dropped 44.2pc during the period. New orders in the buildings segment were down 34.5pc and new civil engineering orders fell 53.4pc. For the period January-October, construction sector output edged up 0.7pc from the same period a year earlier.

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PHOTOS: The buttress of the Western Gardens of the Buda Castle is shining in its original beauty!

The buttress of the Western Gardens at the astonishing Buda Castle has been renewed and is shining in its original beauty. Check out the details and some photos in our article below.

According to the Facebook page of the National Hauszmann Programme, the Palota Street connecting the Dózsa György Square and the Buda Castle was created following the plans of Miklós Ybl in the 1880s. The aim was to substitute the steep road from the Tabán.

The serpentine crawling to Castle Hill with sharp bends is supported by several buttresses to stabilise its weight.

According to their Facebook post, the renovation project contains the renewal of the Western Gardens beneath the Palace of Archduke Joseph. Based on the plans, the garden will be open to the public. Furthermore, they will create a third underground garage, expanding the number of available parking places in the district.

They have finished the structural construction of Palota Street’s Eastern buttress, which received a new surface of Süttő limestone. Moreover, they placed the cast iron handrail resembling the style of the Ybl handrail of Palota Street.

As a result, the buttresses and the handrails are shining in their original, 19th-century beauty.

The buttress of the Western Gardens of the Buda Castle is shining in its original beauty
Photo: FB/National Hauszmann Programme

Read also:

  • Historical Budapest palace close to Chain Bridge can be sold in no time – read more HERE
  • Unique artefacts unearthed at Buda Castle during restoration efforts

Here’s Hungary’s road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA: can we do it?

It was at FIFA’s Zürich headquarters on Friday that Hungary Men were drawn from the second pot of seeds to contest European Qualifying Group F, one which will feature two familiar opponents and one less so. Here’s Hungary’s road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA. Will we be able to qualify? And will President Trump attend our matches with Orbán?

Hungary’s road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico will start in a four-team European Qualifying group including the winners of the Portugal vs Denmark Nations League play-off tie, as well as familiar recent opponent Republic of Ireland and intriguingly, Armenia, whom Hungary have faced just once in the past, a 2004 friendly in Greece, mlsz.hu wrote.

That fixture came during German World Cup winner Lothar Matthäus‘s reign as Hungary head coach, his largely experimental side winning 2-0 during a winter training camp. Republic of ireland are a much more well-known opponent, Marco Rossi’s squad having faced them twice in friendlies in recent years, a warm-up match held in Újpest prior to the delayed Euro 2020 tournament in June 2021 which ended goalless (as did a previous friendly fixture prior to Euro 2012) being followed by another friendly earlier this year when the Irish triumphed 2-1.

The group’s top seeds, the winner of March 2025’s Nations League play-off between Portugal and Denmark, are also very recognisable to Hungarian fans, and not just because they possess world stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo for the former and Christian Eriksen for the latter. Both nations were drawn in the same 2010 World Cup qualifying group as Hungary, two losses against Portugal proving costly as Hungary failed to reached the tournament finals despite a home draw and away victory against Denmark.

Group F Hungary 2026 FIFA World Cup
Photo: FB/FIFA World Cup 2026

Hungary and Portugal have also met in recent EUROs, a pulsating 3-3 draw in 2016 resulting in Hungary’s confirmation as group-stage winners in France, while Portugal gained a measure of revenge by overcoming Hungary 3-0 in Budapest in the 2021 group phase.

Fixture venues, dates and times for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign will be confirmed in due course.

Here are the matches:

  • 6 September (Saturday), 8:45 PM: Ireland-Hungary
  • 9 September (Tuesday), 8:45 PM: Hungary-Portugal/Denmark
  • 11 October (Saturday), 6 PM: Hungary-Armenia
  • 14 October (Tuesday), 8:45 PM: Portugal/Denmark-Hungary
  • 13 November (Thursday), 6 PM: Armenia-Hungary
  • 16 November (Sunday), 3 PM: Hungary-Ireland

Marco Rossi: There is no easy opponent

Hungary Men’s World Cup qualifying opponent from the first pot of seeds, either Portugal or Denmark, will definitely be a tough proposition, according to head coach Marco Rossi, but he’s emphasised there are no easy opponents in international football nowadays anyway.

As well as the winner of the Nations League play-off tie between Portugal or Denmark, European Qualifying Group F will pit Hungary against Republic of Ireland and Armenia during 2025 as Europe’s national teams strive to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

“I counted on us getting an extremely strong team from the first pot of seeds, which may well turn out to be Portugal. We know them and are aware of their strength, so while we won’t be the favourites to win, we’ll try to do our best,” Rossi explained. “As for the others, we’ve recently experienced the difficulties of playing against Republic of Ireland. We’re talking about a physically tough team, but as we also know, it’s not easy against anyone away from home, even if the Irish and Armenian national teams may not quite represent the same level as that of the very top nations. Every match will be in the balance – f course it’s important that we’re ahead in the world rankings, but we have to produce our best possible performance in order to prove it on the pitch and overcome these opponents.”

Of the two possible opponents from the first pot of seeds, Rossi has already managed Hungary in a match against Portugal, a 3-0 loss in the group stage of the European Championship in the Puskás Arena in 2021.

Hungary football team Marco Rossi 2026 FIFA World Cup
Marco Rossi. Photo: FB/magyarlabdarugoszovetseg

“The Portuguese national team has changed a lot since our last match against each other. Several players have been replaced, but we’re still talking about a top team with excellent footballers in every position. In addition, they have Cristiano Ronaldo who is very difficult to stop and is effective not only in Saudi Arabia, but also against the biggest nations for his national team,” Rossi continued, after which he answered the question of which of these two possible opponents he’d choose as an opponent in terms of playing style. “We’re talking about two teams with different styles. The Danes play classic Scandinavian football; they’re physically strong, well organised and also tactically and technically well prepared. They have several excellent players, but I think Portugal are stronger. Therefore, if I had to choose, I would choose Denmark, because Portugal is an even better team than them. Of course, this doesn’t mean we’d have an easy time against Denmark, but knowing their style, we’d have more of a chance against them. However, Portugal’s loss against Georgia meant we were eliminated at this year’s European Championship, so if we’d get them, I’d be happy that we’ll have the opportunity to gain a measure of revenge.”

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From border seizures to supermarket shelves: Dubai chocolate fever in Hungary

Surprisingly, the growing popularity of Dubai chocolate in Hungary has escalated from TikTok-fueled trends to high-profile smuggling cases. Customs officials at the Austrian-Hungarian border recently seized Dubai chocolate worth HUF 20 million (approximately EUR 48.5 thousand) from a Turkish bus attempting to cross the border.

The smuggling operation unfolded over two separate incidents at the Nickelsdorf (Miklóshalmi) border crossing. The first bust, conducted during a special operation in October, uncovered 1,500 packs of the luxury chocolate hidden in the bus’s luggage compartment, 24.hu reported. The second, a routine inspection in mid-November, revealed an additional 1,040 bars, packaged in 16 boxes, on the same vehicle.

Dubai chocolate: A growing phenomenon

dubai chocolate craze
Photo: depositphotos.com

Dubai chocolate has captured Hungary’s imagination, particularly as the festive season approaches. This Middle Eastern-inspired delicacy, made with crispy kadayif pastry, pistachio cream, tahini, and coated in milk chocolate, has become a must-have treat, thanks in part to viral TikTok trends. Its allure lies not only in its exotic flavour profile but also in its luxurious image, making it a popular holiday gift.

Retailers in Hungary have been quick to capitalise on this craze. Major chains like Aldi recently announced the availability of Dubai chocolate in their stores, Világgazdaság reported. Aldi’s offerings include 30-gram bars for HUF 499 (EUR 1.21) and 90-gram bars for HUF 1,499 (EUR 3.64), with a bulk price of HUF 16,655 (EUR 40.46) per kilogram. Rival retailer Lidl is also planning to stock the treat, emphasising its growing demand.

Enterprising innovations

The Dubai chocolate mania has even inspired Hungarian confectioners. One notable innovation is the Dubai chocolate-flavoured szaloncukor, a traditional Hungarian Christmas candy. Veresegyház-based Sulyán Confectionery launched this new product, describing it as “a journey into the flavours of Dubai”, Világgazdaság wrote in another article. At HUF 5,200 (EUR 12.63) for a 250-gram package, it caters to those seeking a luxurious touch for their holiday celebrations.

This seasonal treat has proven so popular that the confectionery has issued guidelines for ordering to manage demand. Customers can place online orders until 17 December, while in-store pick-ups are available until 19 December. However, due to high interest, delivery times may stretch to a week.

From luxury to legal challenges

While retailers and confectioners celebrate the Dubai chocolate’s success, the smuggling bust highlights the darker side of its popularity. Authorities are investigating the cases, underscoring the lengths to which some will go to profit from this high-demand product. The juxtaposition of luxury chocolate on store shelves and its illicit transport across borders paints a vivid picture of Dubai chocolate’s meteoric rise in Hungary. From influencing confectionery trends to fueling legal challenges, this dessert has become a true holiday phenomenon.

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Will the cars of motorists driving far above speed limit be seized in Budapest?

Gergely Karácsony, the mayor of Budapest, on Friday said he will propose a regulation that would allow the authorities to confiscate the vehicles of motorists caught driving in the city far above the speed limit.

Karácsony said on Facebook that he is proposing that the Budapest assembly call on the government to draft a regulation modeled after an Austrian law that would allow the authorities to seize the cars of drivers speeding far above the limit. Under the mayor’s proposal, extreme speeders would have their car seized for six months for a first offence, while repeat offenders would have it confiscated.

Under the law in effect in Austria, motorists who exceed the speed limit by more than 80 kph in built-up areas or by 90 kph outside built-up areas are fined, have their licence taken away and can have their car permanently confiscated.

speed limit Hungary traffic road highway
Speed limits in Hungary. Photo: Helló Magyar

Karácsony said speed cameras installed throughout the city caught 52,926 speeders in the first month. He said the most severe speed-limit violation happened in the 9th district on Üllői Road when a motorist did 158 kph in a 50 kph zone.

The mayor said stricter penalties were needed for extreme speeding in order to eliminate fatal road accidents in the capital.

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Featured Hungary news

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The Hungarian coronation jewels made of gingerbread hungary news
The Hungarian coronation jewels made of gingerbread in Vácrátót. Photo: MTI

Budapest tourism

War in Ukraine affecting Hungarians

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World-famous Italian pop-opera trio IL VOLO returns to Budapest

The world famous Italian pop-opera trio IL VOLO will return to Budapest in 2025! Just a month ago, the world’s most famous Italian trio IL VOLO finished their grand tour of almost every continent, and today, following their outstanding international success, they have announced another tour for 2025.

IL VOLO, formed by Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto and Gianluca Ginoble, will return to Budapest with an unforgettable concert to enchant the Hungarian audience at the MVM Dome on 14 November 2025.

World-famous Italian pop-opera trio IL VOLO returns to Budapest
Photo: Press Release/koncertpromoticket.jegy.hu

On the musical front, IL VOLO is still going strong, so the 2025 tour will have a lot of new things in store for fans. The international version of their latest album, Ad Astra (International Edition), has been expanded with five new songs, including Capolavoro (English Version), and was released on 6 December. Also available on the same day is their new single Tra le onde, which perfectly matches the trio’s unique sound. The new songs and fresh performances guarantee an unforgettable experience for the audience during the tour.

World-famous Italian pop-opera trio IL VOLO returns to Budapest
Photo: Press Release/koncertpromoticket.jegy.hu

Roland Horváth, owner of Koncertpromó and BRICS Entertainment, commented on the announcement:

“We are delighted to bring IL VOLO to Hungary once again. The new songs will guarantee that the concert will be an unforgettable experience for the Hungarian audience. With its impressive facilities and modern infrastructure, the MVM Dome is a worthy venue for such a world-class performance.”
The concert will take the audience on a unique musical journey from Italian classics to modern pop-opera. This concert is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience for all ages.

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Power struggles and surveillance: The 2018 shake-up of Hungary’s Information Office

Hungarian super secret service

The summer of 2018 was a crucial period not only for the Information Office, which is a branch of the secret service in charge of foreign intelligence, but also for the Hungarian political system. An unprecedented intelligence operation and power struggle took place, putting the relationship between the government and the intelligence services on a new level.

For a long time, the Information Office operated under the supervision of János Lázár, then head of the Prime Minister’s Office. According to Telex, during his years as the head of the Information Office, János Lázár paid considerable attention to intelligence activities related to the EU institutions. This practice did not only concern OLAF, but also other EU delegations and officials in Hungary. The Information Office’s increasing surveillance activities not only put the Hungarian intelligence services in a delicate position but also undermined trust within the EU.

This arrangement was terminated in 2018 when the fourth Orbán government was formed, and the Information Office was placed under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, led by Péter Szijjártó. However, the handover process was not smooth and the situation quickly became tense.

szijjártó nato collective defence ukraine
Photo: Facebook/Szijjártó Péter

Szijjártó’s first step was to invite the heads of the Information Office, including István Pásztor, the director general of the office, to a meeting. At the same time, however, he received an unusual order from the security department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: a special 30-strong team was to be allowed into the Information Office, demanding full access to the archives.

The search for documents

The task force, made up of representatives from various departments of the Ministry of the Interior, spent weeks at the headquarters of the Information Office. The official purpose of their investigation was to conduct a comprehensive review of the functioning of the intelligence services, but in reality, they were interested in information on specific cases. These included the economic affairs of the Orbán family, in particular those of István Tiborcz, the prime minister’s son-in-law, and the public procurement scandal involving Elios Plc.

During the raid, prosecutors questioned staff, searched archives and confiscated computers. The dismissed managers were not allowed to return to their offices, and their personal belongings were not returned until later.

viktor orbán
Photo: FB/Orbán

The raid was carried out by the forces supervised by the Minister of the Interior, Sándor Pintér, but the initiative may have been backed by Viktor Orbán’s circles. The aim was to find out what information the Information Office had collected in the previous years of the government, particularly on the affairs of the Orbán family. The events shed light on the internal power struggles between the different actors in the government.

OLAF monitoring and the Elios case

One of the most controversial areas of the Information Office’s work has been the monitoring of OLAF, the European Union’s anti-fraud office. Under the leadership of János Lázár, the Information Office actively monitored OLAF’s investigation in Hungary into procurement abuses by Elios Plc. OLAF staff were tapped by telephone, followed physically and even secretly recorded. The aim was to gain early access to information gathered by the EU body.

OLAF investigations eventually revealed irregularities in the Elios projects and recommended the recovery of HUF 13 billion (EUR 31 million) of EU funds. However, the Hungarian government covered this from the budget, thus avoiding direct financial responsibility.

The consequences

The events of 2018 highlighted the lack of transparency and political independence of the Hungarian intelligence services. The task force’s actions also raised legal questions, as the lack of official documentation could indicate illegal activity. According to Miklós Ligeti, legal director of Transparency International Hungary, the events raise suspicions of criminality in several respects.

The 2018 crackdown not only led to the replacement of the IH leadership but also to a complete reorganisation of the functioning and internal power relations of the Hungarian intelligence service. Viktor Orbán personally criticised the previous activities of the Information Office, and it became clear that the intelligence service was coming under tighter control of government interests.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Hungary, Türkiye bridge between East and West, Hungarian President says

Hungary and Türkiye form a bridge between East and West, according to a statement by the presidential Sándor Palace on Thursday in connection with the visit of President Tamás Sulyok to Ankara.

Sulyok was received with military honours in Ankara by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. At their meeting, the presidents agreed that Hungary and Türkiye were linked by a common past, deep friendship, and a strategic alliance, confirmed by the frequency of high-level meetings.

Hungary is committed to further deepening cooperation based on mutual respect and its multifaceted partnership with Türkiye, the statement said, adding that common endeavours included energy, security policy, defence industry cooperation, as well as the further development of economic and cultural relations.

The statement noted the Hungarian-Turkish Cultural Season held this year, the motto of which was “A century of friendship and cooperation”, adding that its programmes provided an opportunity for further dialogue and further deepening ties between the two countries.

Hungary, Türkiye bridge between East and West, Hungarian President says
Photo: FB/Sulyok

Also, 2025 will be the Hungarian-Turkish Year of Science and Innovation, with joint research projects and the exchange of good innovation practices, as well as the mobility of higher education lecturers and students among its goals, the palace said.

Türkiye “a key and indispensable strategic partner of the European Union”

The Hungarian president made clear at the meeting that Hungary considers Türkiye “a key and indispensable strategic partner of the European Union” in the areas of energy security, trade, regional security, as well as in combating terrorism and illegal migration.

During the current EU presidency, Hungary highlighted the promotion of Türkiye’s accession process. Overcoming migration challenges requires the EU to support Turkiye properly and to an appropriate extent, it said.

Hungary, Türkiye bridge between East and West, Hungarian President says 2 (Copy)
Photo: FB/President Sulyok

Türkiye “is an indispensable player” for creating regional stability and preserving security and peace, the statement said, adding that stability of the Middle East was a common interest.

Hungary regards it as highly important that no extremist ideology or radical group takes control in the region, so attention must be paid to respecting the rights of religious communities and minorities, the palace said, adding that Hungary pays special attention to the region’s Christian communities and it provides humanitarian aid.

After the talks, the Turkish president hosted the Hungarian president and prime minister at a state dinner, and a gala concert of the Hungarian-Turkish Cultural Season was perfored in front of around 1,900 invited guests, the statement said.

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