Austria

Leaving home in hopes of a better life: Here’s how much Hungarians in Austria earn

Hungarians in Austria

Each year, an increasing number of Hungarians migrate to Austria in search of a better life. As of April 2024, 118,000 Hungarians are employed in Austria. Although they earn less than Austrian workers, the higher wages in Austria still attract Hungarians, many of whom commute rather than relocate due to Austria’s higher living costs.

Hungarians in Austria

G7 reports that as of April 2024, 118,000 Hungarians are employed in Austria, marking a 4.4% annual increase and constituting 3% of Austria’s workforce. This influx positions Hungarians as the second-largest group of foreign workers in Austria, surpassed only by Germans, who number 124,000. The appeal of Austria for both groups lies partly in the higher salaries, with Germans also benefiting from a shared language. However, Hungarian workers are increasingly closing the gap, and projections suggest they may soon become the largest expatriate community in Austria.

Many do not want to move

Interestingly, nearly half of the employed Hungarians in Austria do not relocate but commute from Hungary. Despite the potential for remote work, many Hungarians in Austria are engaged in physical, non-office roles, which are not conducive to remote arrangements. Additionally, the Hungarian government has not facilitated remote work by failing to sign a framework agreement that would regularise such practices.

This policy stance uniquely complicates the lives of Hungarians in Austria. Naturally, the main motives behind working in Austria are the hopes of a better life and higher wages. However, recent data concerning the salaries of Hungarians in Austria may come as a shock.

Hungarians earn less than Austrians

According to the Austrian Statistical Office, Hungarians working in Austria earn at least a quarter less than the median wage for all workers in the country. While the median wage for Hungarians in Austria is about EUR 2,000, significantly higher than in Hungary, it still falls short of the Austrian median. Hungarians working year-round in Austria earn 27% less than the overall average for full-time workers.

Despite this, the substantial wage gap between Hungary and Austria means that Hungarians can still earn several times more than in their home country. Austrian workers benefit from collective agreements that include a 13th and 14th month’s salary, taxed more favourably and paid as bonuses in summer and before Christmas. However, Hungarians rarely secure high-paying jobs, and the wage statistics for Austrian nationals, who typically occupy higher positions, reveal a much larger pay gap.

Is it worth working in Austria?

The higher salaries in Austria are more beneficial for those commuting from Hungary due to Austria’s significantly higher price levels, which were 1.6 times greater than Hungary’s in 2022, according to Eurostat. When adjusted for the cost of living, the Austrian median gross wage is only 1.6 times higher than the Hungarian wage, rather than 2.5 times higher. Despite hopes that rising wages in Hungary might attract workers back, the wage gap between the two countries continues to widen, explaining the yearly increase in the number of Hungarians working in Austria.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Hungarian workers earn less than 1/3rd of Austrian counterparts

office workers long weekends

Hungarian wages are among the lowest in the European Union, with workers earning less than a third of the average Austrian salary in 2023.

Hungary’s average net wage 4th lowest in EU

According to Eurostat data cited by Bankmonitor, last year, Hungary’s average net wage was the 4th lowest in the EU. While the EU average net salary stood at EUR 28,217 per year, Hungary’s was less than half of that, at EUR 12,456. Only Bulgaria, Romania, and Croatia had lower average wages.

When converted to Hungarian forints, the disparity becomes even clearer. The average EU wage in 2023 was nearly HUF 900,000 per month. The highest-paid workers were in Luxembourg, where the average monthly net salary was HUF 1.56 million. In the Netherlands, it was HUF 1.44 million, and in Ireland, HUF 1.37 million.

Austrian workers earn 3 times as much as Hungarians

Austria, a country Hungary has aspired to match for over three decades, remains significantly ahead. In 2023, the average net salary in Hungary was HUF 396,000—approximately 44% of the EU average—while Austrian workers earned over three times that amount, at HUF 1.22 million.

The standard of living also lags behind. Hungarians live at 65.2% of the EU’s average living standards. When considering purchasing power, the wage differences between EU member states are less pronounced than nominal figures suggest. The gap between the top-ranked Luxembourg and the lowest-ranked Bulgaria is more than fivefold.

In the Netherlands, the average wage’s purchasing power is less than three times that of Slovakia, which is at the bottom of the list. Hungary improved two places in the ranking compared to the previous year, now standing at 22nd. This means the average wage in Hungary is only enough to cover about two-thirds of the consumption level that an average EU citizen can afford, according to the report.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Official: Austria and Hungary to connect their motorways

Foreigners buy expensive Hungarian motorway vignette motorways

In recent weeks, the connection of Austrian and Hungarian motorways has noticeably accelerated. The exact location and timeline for the connection of the two countries’ road networks are now known.

Austria and Hungary to connect motorways

Foreigners buy expensive Hungarian motorway vignette
In recent weeks, the connection of Austrian and Hungarian motorways has noticeably accelerated. Photo: FB/NÚSZ

A new expressway link between Hungary and Austria is being established, as announced by the Hungarian Ministry of Construction and Transport (ÉKM) on Tuesday morning, Világgazdaság reports.

The agreement signed concerns the connection of the Hungarian M80 expressway and the Austrian S7 Fürstenfeld expressway at the border. The agreement was signed by Hungarian State Secretary for Transport, Bálint Nagy, and Austrian Ambassador Alexander Grubmayr.

The development was first reported a few weeks ago by Világgazdaság. The Hungarian Gazette published a government decree authorising the finalisation of the agreement’s text. The Hungarian government supports the agreement and has empowered the Minister of Construction and Transport, János Lázár (or his designated representative), to finalise the draft, maintaining the commitment.

Agreement finally signed

The process has now concluded, and the two countries have signed the agreement. The new cross-border expressway connection, set to be established in 2025 near Szentgotthárd, will enhance connectivity between the two countries, improve the Central European road network, and boost Hungary’s economic strength.

The M80 expressway, a two-lane road stretching from Körmend to the border, opened in autumn 2021. It bypasses local towns, efficiently directs traffic, and opens up industrial areas until the Austrian side of the expressway is completed, where it currently reconnects with Route 8 before the border.

According to the agreement signed on Tuesday, the S7 Fürstenfeld expressway, expected to reach the border by 2025, will connect with the M80 expressway between Szentgotthárd and Heiligenkreuz im Lafnitztal (Rábakeresztúr).

The government has achieved significant progress in road infrastructure development and improving international connectivity in recent years. In 2010, only three expressways reached Hungary’s borders; soon, there will be eleven, the ÉKM highlighted.

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Hungarian President talked about anti-Semitism in Hungary in Vienna

President Sulyok in Vienna

Ties between Hungary and Austria are “excellent”, President Tamás Sulyok’s office told MTI in a statement after talks between the presidents of the two countries in Vienna on Wednesday.

Hungary-Austria ties ‘excellent’, President says

Sulyok and Alexander Van der Bellen agreed that “in the current, extraordinary times good and balanced ties between neighbouring countries as well as regular communication are more important than ever,” the statement said, adding that bilateral economic and cultural ties were also excellent, based on a strategic partnership and centuries of historical contact.

According to the statement, Sulyok expressed his support to plans to open a Hungarian language secondary school in Vienna.

On the subject of traffic restrictions at the Hungary-Austria border, they agreed that finding an early resolution to the problems and ensuring smooth crossing was in the interest of both countries, the statement said, noting “constructive talks” between the two governments.

Sulyok informed his counterpart about objectives of Hungary’s European Union presidency, while both presidents highlighted the importance of increasing the EU’s competitiveness, adding that a speedy accession of the Western Balkans to the EU was crucial.

Sulyok also invited Van der Bellen to an official visit to Budapest.

Other meetings

According to the statement, Sulyok also met House Speaker Wolfgang Sobotka, and discussed issues around the war in Ukraine, and protection to the rights of ethnic minorities.

At the talks, Sulyok noted Hungary’s “zero tolerance for anti-Semitism” and expressed Hungary’s support for Israel and that country’s “right to self-defence”. Sulyok condemned all forms of terrorism, but added that “the Palestinian people and Hamas are not the same”.

Sulyok also noted that Vienna’s Collegium Hungaricum, “the first Hungarian cultural institution abroad”, was celebrating its first centenary this year.

After his talks, the president laid a wreath of commemoration at a monument of Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis at Vienna’s medical university.

President Sulyok in Vienna
Photo: MTI

In a speech before the opening concert of Hungary’s EU presidency held in the evening, the president highlighted the importance of avoiding the erosion of European values and of preserving them “for the success of the European community”, as well as improving competitiveness.

Each member state should fulfil its tasks and duties

“We want to guarantee a good life for ourselves, our children and grandchildren, and we need a strong and stable Europe for that, one that is proud of its values,” Sulyok said.

“There is no need for a one-size-fits-all Europe, the free collision of opinions is a trademark of democracy,” he said.

The EU’s strength is in the “special nature and constitutions” of the individual member states, he added.

In the face of challenges, each member state should fulfil its tasks and duties “as they see fit, to the benefit of the entire community,” he said.

“It is not fair to doubt others’ goodwill and deep concern for the future of Europe.”

Sulyok added that Hungary was counting on Austria’s support during the presidency.

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Austrian expert: Severe flight delays caused by Hungarian air traffic controllers

Hungarian air traffic controllers Budapest Airport

Daniel Liebhart is the leader of the air traffic controller department of Vida, an Austrian trade union and also works as an air traffic controller. He believes the main cause for the severe delays concerning many flights in Europe is the Hungarian air traffic controllers and the HungaroControl. He added that they struggle for better working conditions but the Orbán cabinet does not listen to their needs and demands.

Is the Hungarian government the reason for the many delayed, cancelled flights in Europe?

Mr Liebhart stated in a recent Facebook post that “HungaroControls airspace is the number one delay factor in the European ATM network”. Concerning the reasons, he came up with the following explanation.

Hungarian air traffic controllers
Photo: FB/HungaroControl

“Because social dialogue is completely missing. Working conditions are deteriorating and staff is leaving the company [the HungaroControl – DNH]. Gewerkschaft vida and ETF Civil Aviation call on #Orban and his government to establish meaningful social dialogue. People all over Europe and #austria will be facing major delays for their #Holidays towards #greece and #turkey!”, he concluded his post.

Budapest is on the top, but that is bad news

He also shared an ACC view on which Budapest is unquestionably on the top meaning that the air traffic flow management (ATFM) delay en route was the highest in Budapest:

The press release of Vida continuously slams the Hungarian government. Mr Liebhart said the Orbán cabinet has a negative attitude towards trade unions and employees. As a result, and thanks to some legal changes, the working conditions of their Hungarian colleagues deteriorated in the last few years.

Hungarian air controllers work in a toxic environment

He said the Hungarian air controllers have to work in a toxic environment. As a result, many decided to leave even the country. He added the Hungarian state could not give enough salaries or maintain the social level of the air traffic controllers.

The statement said HungaroControl struggles with a brutal labour shortage, so the company is one of the main reasons for the delays in Europe. The lack of capacities in the Hungarian airspace results in an unbearable work burden in other European countries. Therefore, Austrian passengers travelling to spend their holidays in Türkiye or Greece should prepare for delays and cancellations since the air route goes through Hungarian airspace, RTL Klub wrote.

Hungarian air traffic controllers
Photo: FB/HungaroControl

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BREAKING – PM Orbán founded new European party in Vienna: Patriots for Europe

PM Orbán new European party Patriots for Europe fidesz

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Sunday declared the start of a “new era”, announcing in Vienna a new European political pact with Herbert Kickl, the head of the Freedom Party of Austria, and Andrej Babis, the former prime minister of the Czech Republic, who heads the ANO party.

“One era of European politics started in 1989 with the dismantling of the Berlin Wall, and this era has concluded” with the outcome of the European Parliament elections, Orbán told a press conference held in Vienna. “This 25-year era is now over.”

orbán new european party
Source: FB/Orbán

He added that the decisive moment of the new era was the formation of a new European political group, “which will change European politics”.

Below is the video of the announcement. PM Orbán wrote that the European people wanted peace, order and development. However, they got war, migration and stagnation from Brussels. Their aim is to enforce people’s will.

They want a European Parliament group

According to mfor.hu, the new European party does not mean they will have a group in the new session of the European Parliament. A prerequisite for that is having at least one MEP for seven member states, and an altogether number of 23 MEPs. Orbán’s Fidesz has 9 MEPs, FPÖ 6, while Babis’s ANO won seven seats on 9 June. Moreover, the three leaders highlighted that they waited for the newcomers. Kickl even said the new alliance might be larger than journalists would think now.

Orbán said the new block would soon become the biggest in the European Parliament. He even added that it would happen in just days. After that, “the sky is the limit”.

PM Orbán got a new pipeline from Meloni in Rome
Meloni turned Orbán down before. Photo: FB/Orbán

Orbán’s new EU party against migration, federal Europe

The deadline for founding a new parliamentary group in the European Parliament is 4 July.

The new party also shared a manifesto. The core principles are the Europe of nations, protecting the member states’ sovereignty, the borders against illegal migration, people against all other possible harms. Furthermore, they would like to uphold the member states’ veto right.

New era in Europe, Orbán believes

“One era of European politics started in 1989 with the dismantling of the Berlin Wall, and this era has concluded” with the outcome of the European Parliament elections, Orbán told a press conference held in Vienna. “This 25-year era is now over.”

He added that the decisive moment of the new era was the formation of a new European political group, “which will change European politics”.

Orbán said a political force was being formed today that would soon become “the strongest grouping” of the European right wing.

“This will happen in a matter of days,” Orbán said “The sky’s the limit thereafter,” he declared. “European politics must be changed; Europe must change,” he added.

In 20 of the 27 EU member states, parties that promised change won the European parliamentary elections, he said. But “the Brussels elite resisted,” he said. “They didn’t accept” the outcome, he added.

“They don’t want change; they want to maintain the status quo. This is unacceptable,” Orbán said, adding that the new grouping would “bring about change in the face of the Brussels elite”.

War, migration, stagnation

Meanwhile, Orbán unveiled a new “Patriots’ manifesto” that outlined the grouping’s ideals and goals.

Orbán said the European economy was in a state of crisis and its weight in the world was declining, while the threat of terrorism and migration was a constant.

Referring to the war in Ukraine, he said no one had succeeded in preventing its outbreak and no one had managed to isolate it.

“We’re living in the shadow of the war’s escalation,” he said, adding that Europeans wanted peace, order and development, while “the Brussels elite is for war, migration and stagnation”.

Notwithstanding poor external conditions, “the bad political decisions of the current Brussels elite also contributed to this crisis,” he said, adding that Europe was “uncompetitive” and “we’re on the verge of a trade war with our most important potential trading partners and they mismanaged the green transition.”

“What we have in Brussels now is not green policies, but poisonous green policies,” Orbán said, adding these “will kill us rather than cure us”. “Today, more coal is used in Europe than before the green transition was started and prices are much higher, which ruins the economy,” Orbán said.

Hungary island in liberal ocean

He said change was now under way in Europe, with several European governments having folded in light of the EP election results. This was proof that democracy only worked on a national level. National governments resigned “but the Brussels elite resisted because Brussels is not a democratic construct,” he said.

“Three parties are here before you: the strongest Austrian party, the strongest Czech party and the strongest Hungarian party,” the prime minister said. “They are taking responsibility” to launch this new grouping, he declared.

Orbán drew a distinction between politics in Hungary and “Brussels”, saying Budapest wanted to stop illegal migration, represented “the traditional family” and believed in national sovereignty.

He called Hungary an “island of difference in the great European liberal ocean”.

Orbán said he had learned from Babis that “ideas do not stand on their own; ideas must be combined with success in government, and he called Babis “the best finance minister in Europe”, who had performed “a minor financial miracle” before going on to become a successful prime minister.

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PM Orbán won’t give up creating his block in the new European Parliament

viktor orbán ep elections

People have voted for change yet, even so, “they have been betrayed by the Brussels elite”, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in Saturday’s issue of daily Magyar Nemzet, adding: “We will continue to build cooperation between European right-wing parties in spite of the pro-war pact.”

Orbán: European order vanishing

“Europe is in crisis. Christian civilisation that determines the framework of our lives is disappearing,” Orbán said, adding that the European Union was in a state of decline and the bloc had been losing its economic significance for the past three decades.

“The European order has been vanishing in front of our eyes,” he said, pointing to a growing threat of terrorism and deteriorating public safety. He said that in international politics “peace, order and development” had been replaced by “war, migration and stagnation”.

Orbán said matters had been made worse by “a multitude of poor decisions taken by the Brussels bureaucracy in recent years”. He insisted that Europe was drifting a war from which it could gain nothing but had “everything to lose”.

orbán viktor
Viktor Orbán on 12 June 2024. Photo: MTI/Máthé Zoltán

EU competitiveness weakened

The prime minister said “Brussels bureaucrats are sending the money of European taxpayers to Ukraine” and “have shot European companies in the foot” with sanctions, driven inflation up and pushed millions of European citizens into a cost-of-living crisis.

Also, they had weakened the continent’s competitiveness through tax raises and mismanaged the green transition, he said, adding that Europe was using more coal, and energy was more costly than five years ago.

Orbán said European farmers were protesting on a daily basis and inferior-quality, cut-price Ukrainian farm produce was flooding the market.

He noted that the enlargement of the EU with Western Balkans countries has stalled, arguing that the bloc needed the new member states and their economic momentum more than ever.

Due to a mismanaged migration policy, he said illegal migrants continued to flood the Schengen area. Yet Brussels “is penalising countries such as Hungary that stop the migrants and want to force them to take the migrants in,” he added.

Orbán said the Brussels bureaucrats failed to consider the interests of ordinary people and instead tried to force their own ideals such “poisonous” green policies and multiculturalism on them.

Viktor Orbán European Union Brussels migration mixed society
Photo: facebook.com/orbanviktor

Pro-peace parties won on 9 June

Orbán said it had been clear before the European parliamentary elections that, in light of the spiralling war in Ukraine, change was needed in Europe, adding that “the overwhelming majority” of voters had opted for parties promising change instead of “a pro-war” stance. In 20 out of 27 member states, sovereigntist or right-wing parties that campaigned with the promise of change claimed victory, he insisted.

European voters had made it clear that they wanted an end to the war in Ukraine, an end to migration, and the European economy back on a path of growth, Orbán said. As expected, people started “taking Europe back”, but “the Brussels bureaucrats launched a counter-attack”. The socialists and liberals, “who are interested in maintaining the status quo”, joined forces with the European People’s Party, and, ignoring the choice of the European people, concluded “a shameful pact”, Orbán said, insisting that the sole aim of the “pro-war pact” was to keep the Brussels elite in power.

The prime minister said the task of the right-wing parties was to enforce the will of European voters, adding that they would continue to build an alliance of European right-wing parties in spite of “the pact of the elite”.

“The right-wing parties must create strong European parliamentary groups and build cooperation between them,” he said. There will be two key events on Sunday, he said, adding that “we must look to Paris and Vienna,” adding that a big step has been taken towards change in America, too. “If everything goes to plan and God helps us, by the end of the year, the patriots will have a majority in the whole of the Western world,” Orbán said.

Orbán to meet European right-wing party leaders in Vienna on Sunday

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will meet Herbert Kickl, the leader of the Austrian Freedom Party, and Andrej Babis, the former Czech prime minister, on Sunday in Vienna, the prime minister’s press chief said in a statement. Talks will focus on deepening relations between European right-wing parties, the statement added.

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Hungarians’ exodus number at historic high, jobless rate at negative peak!

airport girl plane airlines jobless rate

Hungary’s jobless rate was 4.3 percent in May, edging down from 4.4 percent in April, the Central Statistical Office (KSH) said on Friday. Meanwhile, the number of Hungarians leaving the country reached a historic high with more than 35 thousand, the entire population of settlements like Vác or Budapest’s 6th district.

The number of Hungarians leaving the country hit a historic record, with 35,736 people leaving Hungary in 2023. That is 24% more than in 2022. Compared to the previous peak, 32,852 in 2015, the current number is 8.8% higher. The three top target countries are Austria, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Budapest Airport travel flights tourism
Hungarians go to work abroad to earn more. Illustration. Source: Budapest Airport/FB

The number of Hungarians moving to Austria was 16,505 in 2023, while in the case of Germany, that number is 8,595. The number of Hungarians starting a new life in the United Kingdom did not reach 1,000 due to Brexit, 444.hu wrote.

Jobless rate also at peak

The rate covers unemployment among people between the ages of 15 and 74. In absolute terms, there were 212,000 unemployed in May. The number of jobholders was 4,749,000 in May, 36,000 more than twelve months earlier. In the March-May period, the average number of employed in the age group was 4,745,000, 41,000 more than in the same period a year ago.

Hungary economy recovery
https://www.facebook.com/szijjarto.peter.official

Commenting on the data, Sándor Czomba, the state secretary for employment policy, said employment and the number of economically active people had both increased compared with the same period last year, while the number of registered jobseekers is at an all-time low.

The state secretary said economic activity continued to expand, which helped boost employment and economic output. He attributed the drop in unemployment to the fact that those entering the labour market were able to find work almost immediately.

He noted the government’s aim of increasing the labour activity rate in the 20-64 age group from the current 81 percent to 85 percent

by mobilising the domestic labour market reserves of around 300,000 people.

Guest nights up

Guest nights at commercial and private accommodations in Hungary rose by an annual 13 percent to 3.7 million in May from the same period a year earlier, the Central Statistical Office (KSH) said on Friday. The number of guest nights spent by domestic travellers rose by 5.1 percent to 1.7 million, while guest nights spent by foreign visitors rose by 21 percent to 2.0 million.

Swanky hotels in Budapest among the world's best luxury accommodations - Gresham Four Seasons
Budapest holidays more and more popular. Source: Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest

Revenue of commercial accommodations climbed 20 percent to 88 billion forints (EUR 221.8m). In January-May, guest nights spent by domestic travellers rose by an annual 4.9 percent, while foreigners’ guest nights rose by 13 percent, KSH said.

Industrial PPI down 0.2 pc in May

Factory gate prices in Hungary fell by an annual 0.2 percent in May, falling for the tenth month in a row after rising for years, the Central Statistical Office (KSH) said on Friday. Prices for domestic sale fell by 3.9 percent but export prices were up 1.7 percent. In a month-on-month comparison, factory gate prices inched up 0.2 percent as prices for domestic sale slipped by 0.9 percent while export prices rose 0.7 percent.

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Budapest to Taipei made simple with China Airlines’ Rail & Fly service!

china airlines plane

Hungarian travellers often prefer to start their long-haul flights from Vienna Airport. In response, Taiwan’s China Airlines has introduced a new “rail & fly” service tailored for them.

China Airlines’ Rail & Fly service

china airlines plane
Photo: Wikimedia Commons/N509FZ

In collaboration with the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), the airline now offers an interline service. This allows Hungarian passengers to book Austrian train tickets from Győr and Budapest that connect with China Airlines flights, turizmus.com writes.

The train ticket is issued on the same reservation as the China Airlines flight ticket, enabling passengers to receive both bookings simultaneously. This new, affordable service can be booked directly through the airline’s website.

The airline offers non-stop flights between Vienna and Taipei. Besides Vienna, the airline provides excellent connections from Europe with daily non-stop flights from Frankfurt and four weekly non-stop flights from Amsterdam.

Additional non-stop routes to Taipei include departures from London, Rome, and Prague. Taipei serves as a convenient hub for further travel to destinations in Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand, according to Sárdi Rezső, the GSA of China Airlines.

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End of Schengen at Hungary’s borders? Here’s Slovenia’s unforeseen decision

End of Schengen at Hungarys borders

The Slovenian interior minister announced that his country would continue border control even during the summer and postponed its possible end date until 21 December. The border between Slovenia and Hungary “disappeared” after both countries joined the Schengen Zone in 2007. It seems that the measure lasted less than 15 years.

Slovenia extends border control deadline

According to 444.hu, Slovenia decided to prolong its border control on the Hungarian-Slovenian border for six more months. The new possible end date is 21 December, but the Slovenian government postponed that multiple times. The same measure applies to the Croatian-Slovenian border.

Interior minister Bostjan Poklukar announced on Wednesday that new threats appeared recently, affecting public order and safety in Slovenia and the European Union considerably. He mentioned the violence in the Middle East, the growing tensions between Iran and Israel, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Moreover, he talked about cyber attacks against Slovenia, the UEFA European Football Championships in Germany and the upcoming summer Olympic games in Paris. Mr Poklukar did not forget to mention the illegal migration, too.

border fence illegal migration schengen
The Hungarian border fence at the Serbian-Hungarian border. Is this the future of the Schengen Zone? Photo: facebook.com/UNHCRMagyarorszag

Could joint patrols be an alternative?

He repeated that Ljubljana is ready to introduce joint border patrol with Italian police officers. Such joint patrols could be an alternative to the “temporary Schengen border controls”, he added.

He said they would not like to disturb travellers, the economy or people close to the borders.

Slovenia reinstated temporary border control on 21 October 2023. That came after Rome’s similar decision. Both measures have been prolonged multiple times.

Border control schengen zone
Photo: facebook.com/PoliceHungaryOfficial

Germany and Austria also reinstated border control: here’s the end of Schengen?

Germany did the same last October. According to Portfolio, they apprehended 920 people smugglers and 37,600 illegal migrants thanks to the measure. Therefore, they also prolonged it until December. Border control has been in effect on the Austrian-German border since autumn 2015.

Austria decided to prolong border control on the Hungarian-Austrian border this April, and the measure will be in effect until November.

It seems that Schengen may collapse due to illegal migration and the growing number of violent conflicts in and close to Europe.

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One of the largest petrol station networks in Hungary to undergo complete overhaul

OMV new Filling Station petrol station

OMV petrol stations are undergoing a complete overhaul in a number of countries, including Hungary. The process of rebranding will take place in around 1000 service stations in 7 countries over the next 3 years. In addition to the design, OMV is also rebranding itself, with a greater focus on sustainable energy and lifestyle.

OMV petrol stations to transform

OMV new Filling Station petrol station
Photo: OMV

Over the next three years, OMV will introduce its new branding in seven countries, including Hungary, Austria, Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Serbia, Portfolio reports.

The brand and design will be completely renewed at all OMV touchpoints, both in B2B (business-to-business) and consumer communication. The new design will be gradually introduced at around 1000 OMV service stations. The new brand identity will also be reflected in the eMotion electric charging network.

OMV_EV_CHARGER
eMotion electric charger. Photo: OMV

New branding to appear at Hungarian petrol stations soon

The website new.omv.com is the first of the digital touchpoints to present details of the new identity and brand strategy. In Hungary, the new branding will appear in communications following the refurbishment of service stations, Világgazdaság writes.

The visual identity, which was introduced in 1995, is now being transformed based on a comprehensive brand strategy. At the heart of the new brand design is a symbol that represents OMV’s integrated chemical, fuel and energy activities based on the principles of sustainability and the circular economy, the company said in a statement.

The colours of the new identity are a reference to the brand’s origins and history, but the brand’s renewed colour palette also ensures a timeless and modern look in the digital world, they added.

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Vacation: Here is how much an “Austrian euro” is worth in Hungary

euro money tourist austria

Every year since 2000, Bank Austria has produced the Urlabseuro calculation to coincide with the peak tourist season, which looks at the purchasing power of Austrian tourists’ money spent abroad. Hungary has slipped from the top of the list to second place this year.

Bank Austria has again this year analysed the euro’s purchasing power for holiday spending in the preferred destinations, turizmus.com reports.

Austrian euro in Hungary

euro money tourist austria
Photo: depositphotos.com

The newly published list is topped by Bulgaria, where EUR 100 earned in Austria is worth EUR 181 when spent in the country, for example. Bank Austria‘s analysis puts Hungary in a close second place as the best value-for-money destination, where 100 Austrian euros this year are worth 141 of the same currency if spent in Hungary.

Last year the figure was 145, compared with 179 in 2022.

Similarly, the money spent by Austrian tourists is worth more in Greece, Croatia and Italy, where the purchasing power of the euro is 32, 30 and 12% higher than in Austria.

Austrians are considered to be good spenders in Hungary: according to the survey of the Central Statistical Office (KSH), Austrian tourists spent HUF 43 billion (EUR 109 million) in the first quarter of this year, making them the second biggest spenders in the country. Austrians are outstripped only by Germans, who spent HUF 77 billion (EUR 195 million) in the first quarter.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Charges brought against 13 Hungarian and Romanian members of human trafficking gang

People smuggling charges have been brought against 13 Hungarian and Romanian nationals who as members of an international organised ring were allegedly involved in arranging for the illegal transport of more than 350 foreign nationals to western Europe, the chief public prosecutor’s office said on Thursday. One instance claimed the life of an Indian national, it added.

Charges brought against members of human trafficking ring

According to the indictment, the ring led by a Romanian man arranged for the transport of foreigners first by plane to Serbia and smuggled them later on in vans through Hungary and Austria to final destinations in western Europe, the office said in a statement.

The fatality occurred in Aug 2022 in Budapest’s 9th district when the Indian man was one of the 20 illegal migrants jammed in a van that had no ventilation.

Most of the suspects are in custody over charges of people smuggling and torturing humans and face prison terms or a fine and expulsion from Hungary.

The Romanian ring leader is facing a legal procedure by the Romanian authorities, according to the statement.

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Breaking news – After Belgium, Austria supports the suspension of Hungarian voting rights

austria hungary

The Hungarian Government openly attacks the EU at home and everywhere it goes abroad. It is now commonplace that it refuses to reach any kind of consensus, constantly using its veto. More and more countries (with the newest one being Austria) seem to be getting tired of this destructiveness.

A few days ago, the Belgian Foreign Minister, who holds the EU Presidency, said that the Union must be strong and continue the Article 7 procedure against Hungary and, if all the ropes are cut, our country must be deprived of its voting rights in the EU.

Our neighbour, the Austrian government, does not seem to support this kind of ‘politicking’ either. It has sided with the Belgians, and it is also in favour of pursuing proceedings against Hungary.

As reported yesterday, Belgium is fed up with Hungary – while supporting its rotating presidency – and is proposing to the EU that Article 7 should continue to be enforced against Hungary and, if necessary, that voting rights should be suspended. According to Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib, “we have a Europe that is struggling to move forward and unfortunately some states – one state in particular – are increasingly adopting a blocking and vetoing attitude”. ReaHadja Lahbibd details HERE: Belgium seeks to remove Hungary’s veto power in EU decision-making

In response, the Hungarian Foreign Minister said he seemed unwilling to understand the problem of using a permanent veto and was using the war communication template. Brussels wants to suppress the pro-peace forces and remove the last obstacle to war by silencing and excluding Hungary from the decision-making process. Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, interpreted the government’s position in response to this suggestion. However, he did not say why Hungary now regularly uses the veto and does not seek to understand the position of the overwhelming majority. Lately, the Orbán government has been virtually alone in blocking unanimous decision-making.

Austria has also joined the dialogue

It seems that this is not the end of the story, as Austria has also joined the dialogue. According to Politico, Vienna supports Belgium’s call to continue the process of stripping Hungary of its voting rights, in another sign of frustration in Budapest ahead of the start of the six-month EU Council presidency in July.

We expect all 27 members to fully respect the principles on which our common Union is built,

a spokesperson for the Austrian Foreign Ministry told Politico. “This is particularly true for the rotating EU presidency. With this in mind, we support the strict continuation of the Article 7 procedure against Hungary.”

It is important to note that the European Parliament launched the first phase of the Article 7 procedure against Hungary in 2018, but the process has stalled. The next step of this procedure, which is used when a country is deemed to be in breach of the Alliance’s core values, is often referred to as the “nuclear option”, usually just called the “atom bomb” in Hungary, as it provides the most severe political sanction that can be imposed on a member state: the suspension of voting rights on EU decisions.

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Fuel in Hungary: Is it still worth going abroad to fill up?

croatia petrol station fuel

The downward trend in Hungarian fuel prices seems to be breaking: from Friday, the price of diesel will rise by HUF 2. ATV’s newscast looked at how Hungarian fuel prices currently compare with those in neighbouring countries.

Fuel prices in Croatia vs Hungary

croatia petrol station fuel
Ina gas station in Zadar, Croatia, 18 September, 2023. Photo: depositphotos.com

ATV’s crew went to Croatia first to find out how much it would cost to fill up with diesel on Thursday. They found that diesel fuel had become cheaper in the country a few days ago.

Taking into account the fact that the price of diesel in Hungary increased today and that the forint has recently appreciated, the difference between the Hungarian and Croatian diesel prices is HUF 70 (EUR 0.18).

This means that if you go to the border to refuel in a car with a larger capacity tank, you will save about HUF 5,000 (EUR 13).

Diesel prices in Slovenia and Romania vs Hungary

According to ATV, many of those who have diesel cars also cross the border to Slovenia to fill up, and they also do their shopping there.

The news portal writes that Slovenians are particularly happy to see Hungarians, as more cars mean more traffic, which means a big increase in revenue. One politician who spoke to ATV said that he also goes from Debrecen to Romania to refuel and shop. A full tank can save up to HUF 2-3000 (EUR 5.20-7.80).

Austria and Slovakia

Diesel prices in Austria and Slovakia are similar to those in Hungary.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Putin-Orbán friendship: British generals shared Hungary’s disgraceful role after a Russian attack against NATO

Putin Orbán Russian gas disgraceful role

A British tabloid wrote about how some former British army chiefs imagined WW3 would start until next summer, provided Ukraine did not get the needed help from the West. In their scenario, Hungary has a disgraceful role. The British generals believed Budapest would be the first nail in NATO’s coffin.

Summer Russian offensives can lead to WW3

The Sun asked General Sir Richard Shirreff and General Richard Barrons, ex-leaders of the country’s armed forces, how they believed WW3 would escalate if Ukraine did not get enough help from the West. The generals believe the first step would be the fall of the Donbas region in Eastern Ukraine following a devastating Russian strike.

Afterwards, Putin would become bolder and would continue their attacks not only in Ukraine but also in the Baltic region, the Caucasus and Moldova. And that is when NATO comes into question. All the Baltic states are NATO members, so an attack against Estonia or Lithuania (they do not calculate with Latvia) would mean an attack against all member states, including the United States of America.

NATO EU Viktor Orbán military kickout digraceful role
PM Orbán on a NATO maneuver. Photo: facebook.com/orbanviktor

Hungary would have a disgraceful role

However, Putin would be able to break the alliance’s unity with the help of three Central European countries, the British generals said. That is because Hungary, Austria and Slovakia would conclude deals with Putin.

Afterwards, Macron would deploy French troops in Kyiv. Moscow would answer with tactical nukes, which would lead to WW3. The article does not discuss why Hungary would negotiate with the Russians after decades of Soviet occupation (which is a bad memory here). Moreover, they do not answer the question of what consequences a tactical nuclear weapon explosion in Kyiv would mean for Hungary, being not far from the Ukrainian capital.

PM Orbán and Macron digraceful role
Macron and Orbán. Will Macron start a global war? Photo: FB/Dániel Deák

UK afraid of not garnering enough support for Ukraine?

Anyway, the scenario is just a fantasy right now and shows that the United Kingdom is afraid of not garnering enough support for Ukraine to evade the coming Russian offensives.

For example, Donald Trump does not seem too committed to maintaining the current level of weapons and ammunition deliveries to Ukraine. But that may change after his possible victory in November. The Hungarian government regularly highlights that peace is unimaginable without Trump, but that does not mean Trump’s victory would result in immediate ceasefire and peace talks.

trump orbán 2024
Photo: Facebook/Orbán Balázs

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Attention: Timetable changes on Budapest-Vienna railway line

Hungary Budapest-Vienna railway line máv

From Friday onwards, the spring reconstruction works of the Budapest-Győr-Hegyeshalom-Vienna railway line (Budapest-Vienna railway line) between Herceghalom and Bicske will continue, the Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) announced on its website.

On the Budapest-Győr-Hegyeshalom line, maintenance work has been carried out between Bicske and Szárliget in the second phase of the spring retrofitting work, from the end of April until Thursday, 9 May.

The next phase, from 10 May to 31 May, will see the technicians and machinery move to the track between Herceghalom and Bicske,

MÁV warns.

Timetable changes on the Budapest-Vienna railway line

As stated, similar to the previous two phases, the work will include track and switch adjustments, ballast replacement, as well as track tension release and overhead line maintenance.

From 10 May, the timetable on the Budapest-Győr-Hegyeshalom line will change again. This will affect the S10, S12 and G10 trains, the InterRegio Győr and Szombathely on Sunday, the Savaria ICs in Szombathely and the InterCity Sopron, as well as the international trains Dráva and Mura ICs.

During maintenance, you should expect a 5-10, sometimes 10-30, minute longer journey time on the Budapest-Vienna railway line.

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BREAKING: Shocking accident in famous Hungarian circus

Richter Flórián Circus Hungary

“During our performance at 3 o’clock this afternoon, during the swing trapeze production, one of our spectators was seriously injured as a result of an unfortunate accident”, the Richter Flórián Circus in Sopron wrote yesterday afternoon.

“They immediately called the ambulance, and he received professional medical care”, the extraordinary announcement of the circus continued.

“Due to the accident, we will not hold today’s 6 p.m. performance, tickets purchased for this time will be valid for tomorrow’s 11 a.m. or 3 p.m. performance! We were completely overwhelmed by what happened, the management and the entire troupe of the Richter Flórián Circus express their sincere regret and concern and wish the spectator who suffered the accident a speedy recovery”, they wrote in their post.

Richter Flórián Circus warning

“WE INFORM THE EMPLOYEES OF THE PRESS THAT WE CANNOT GIVE STATEMENTS AND INTERVIEWS DURING THE INVESTIGATION OF THE CASE! WE ASK FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING!

They also called the attention of the press that the circus’s announcements could be republished without changes.

The Richter Flórián Circus is Hungary’s largest traveling circus headquartered in Sopron, near the Austrian-Hungarian border. Visit their website HERE.

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