The Hungarian government has published a draft wealth tax act for public consultation. Comments were accepted until 14 October 2026, and the bill is not yet law. This guide summarises what the draft proposes, so that owners and companies can prepare while the final text is still taking shape.
The Main Rules in the Draft
- Threshold: tax applies only to net wealth above HUF 1 billion. Below that level there are no filing or payment duties.
- Rates: 1% on the part above HUF 1 billion, and 1.5% on the part above HUF 100 billion.
- Who pays: Hungarian tax residents on worldwide assets, and non-residents mainly on Hungarian real estate and shares in Hungarian companies. Spouses each have their own threshold.
- Assets covered: real estate, company shareholdings, securities, cash, crypto-assets and certain insurance rights, plus art, jewellery and collectibles worth over HUF 3 million each and vehicles over HUF 10 million. Documented debts linked to the assets reduce the base.
Key Dates
Wealth is measured on 31 December. Taxpayers self-assess and pay by 31 August of the following year. On the draft’s timetable, the first payment would fall due in August 2027, based on the position at the end of 2026.
Why Company Owners Should Pay Attention
The tax targets individuals, but business ownership is a large part of many fortunes. Under the draft, unlisted shares would be valued using a weighted average of equity value and capitalised earnings, based on after-tax profit over the last three completed financial years. Hungarian companies with equity above HUF 500 million would also face a new reporting duty, even if their owners are below the threshold.
Business wealth is often illiquid, so paying the tax can create a cash flow problem. The draft allows taxpayers in difficulty to request deferral or instalments from the tax authority, generally for up to 12 months. The valuation method and the reporting duty are the points most likely to be refined before the law is final.
What to Prepare
- List your assets and identify those that are hard to value, such as unlisted shares and property.
- Review your ownership structure and liquidity, including how the tax would be paid.
- Avoid restructuring purely to escape the tax, because the draft includes anti-avoidance rules.
How Leinonen Can Help
Leinonen team in Hungary can help you understand how the draft wealth tax may apply to your holdings and your company structure, review what your company would need to report, and keep you informed as the final law takes shape.
To find out more, get in touch with our team.
