Report: Wealth of Hungary’s elite under Orbán ‘being flown out from Vienna’ after election defeat – UPDATE: tax authority

According to a report by The Guardian, private jets have been regularly departing from Vienna, allegedly carrying the wealth of individuals who prospered during the rule of Viktor Orbán.

The British newspaper, citing unnamed sources linked to Hungary’s ruling party, reported on Sunday that these flights are part of an effort by members of the political and economic elite to relocate their assets abroad.

Assets reportedly moved to the Middle East and beyond

Sources told The Guardian that some individuals are “rushing” to invest their wealth overseas, while certain former high-ranking figures in Orbán’s government are exploring opportunities to obtain US visas. These efforts are reportedly driven by hopes of securing positions within institutions associated with the political movement of Donald Trump.

The report claims that since Hungary’s parliamentary election on 12 April, three members of Orbán’s inner circle have already begun transferring their wealth abroad.

Two sources with ties to the ruling party told the newspaper that assets are being moved to countries such as Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, while others are reportedly targeting Australia and Singapore as preferred destinations.

Plans for extended stay in the United States

Another source described as having links to the outgoing governing party told The Guardian that Orbán is expected to travel to the United States around the start of the upcoming FIFA World Cup, where he may remain for several weeks.

According to the same source, the trip had been planned well before the election, which resulted in victory for the Tisza Party led by Péter Magyar.

While the exact location of Orbán’s stay in the United States remains unclear, the newspaper notes that his daughter and son-in-law relocated to New York last summer.

If you missed it: Why would outgoing PM Orbán stay in the United States for a prolonged time?

UPDATE: Tax authority responds to claims of suspicious transfers

Hungary’s tax authority, National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV), has reacted to claims by Péter Magyar that large sums linked to figures close to Antal Rogán may have been transferred abroad under suspicious circumstances, 24.hu reported.

Magyar, leader of the Tisza Party, said in a video statement that he had been informed that several high-value transactions associated with businessmen in the government’s orbit had been suspended following alerts from banks over suspected money laundering. He urged authorities to immediately freeze what he described as “stolen funds” and called on law enforcement leaders to take action.

In response to media inquiries, NAV said it could not comment on specific cases due to strict confidentiality rules governing financial investigations.

However, it confirmed that financial institutions such as banks are legally required to report transactions that raise suspicion of money laundering or links to criminal activity.

In such cases, the reporting institution must simultaneously suspend the transaction, including the transfer of funds abroad, for up to seven working days. During this period, NAV’s anti-money laundering unit conducts an operational analysis, which may be extended if necessary.

The authority added that the results of such investigations can only be shared with competent bodies and strictly for the purposes of combating financial crime.

According to NAV statistics, the number of suspended transactions has risen sharply in recent years, increasing from 1,063 cases in 2022 to 3,185 in 2025. No data has been released regarding measures taken after the April election.

If you missed it: Péter Magyar: previous PM Orbán’s close circle saving EUR ten millions abroad