28
Thu, Mar
51 New Articles

Temporary Reduction of the Enforceability and Applicability of Late Payment Interest

Temporary Reduction of the Enforceability and Applicability of Late Payment Interest

Hungary
Tools
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

According to the Hungarian Civil Code, the debtor is liable to pay interest on any owed money that has fallen due from the first day of the delay in payment, even if the use of the money was free of charge until the delay.

The amount of the interest on payment is calculated by the central bank base rate in effect on the first day of the first calendar half-year in which the delay occurred.If the monetary debt is to be satisfied in a foreign currency, the interest shall be calculated by the base rate of the issuing central bank, or failing to this, by the money market rate. The obligation to pay interest shall be effective even if the obligor justifies his default.

According to the Great Commentary of the Civil Code, if the debtor was originally obliged to pay interest on the money debt and is late in paying the money, they shall pay "cumulative" interest. This cumulative interest is the sum of the original interest plus default interest at one-third of the base rate of the central bank in effect on the first day of the calendar half-year in which the default occurred, but not less than the legal rate of interest on late payments.

According to a new Government Decree issued in November 2022 on the different application of certain substantive provisions on interest on late payments in the event of an emergency, during the emergency, the default interest claim may be enforced up to a maximum of 25% per year, and for the exceeding part, it shall be deemed not to have been concluded.During the emergency, the maximum amount of default interest that may be charged is 25%. The provisions of the decree apply both to default interest due under existing contracts and to contracts to be concluded in the future.

Based on the current rules, the state of emergency is in effect until 29 May 2023. So, from 30 May 2023, interest on late payments in excess of 25% can be claimed and enforced, provided that the emergency is not extended.

By Eszter Kamocsay-Berta, Managing Partner, KCG Partners Law Firm

Hungary Knowledge Partner

Nagy és Trócsányi was founded in 1991, turned into limited professional partnership (in Hungarian: ügyvédi iroda) in 1992, with the aim of offering sophisticated legal services. The firm continues to seek excellence in a comprehensive and modern practice, which spans international commercial and business law. 

The firm’s lawyers provide clients with advice and representation in an active, thoughtful and ethical manner, with a real understanding of clients‘ business needs and the markets in which they operate.

The firm is one of the largest home-grown independent law firms in Hungary. Currently Nagy és Trócsányi has 26 lawyers out of which there are 8 active partners. All partners are equity partners.

Nagy és Trócsányi is a legal entity and registered with the Budapest Bar Association. All lawyers of the Budapest office are either members of, or registered as clerks with, the Budapest Bar Association. Several of the firm’s lawyers are admitted attorneys or registered as legal consultants in New York.

The firm advises a broad range of clients, including numerous multinational corporations. 

Our activity focuses on the following practice areas: M&A, company law, litigation and dispute resolution, real estate law, banking and finance, project financing, insolvency and restructuring, venture capital investment, taxation, competition, utilities, energy, media and telecommunication.

Nagy és Trócsányi is the exclusive member firm in Hungary for Lex Mundi – the world’s leading network of independent law firms with in-depth experience in 100+countries worldwide.

The firm advises a broad range of clients, including numerous multinational corporations. Among our key clients are: OTP Bank, Sberbank, Erste Bank, Scania, KS ORKA, Mannvit, DAF Trucks, Booking.com, Museum of Fine Arts of Budapest, Hungarian Post Pte Ltd, Hiventures, Strabag, CPI Hungary, Givaudan, Marks & Spencer, CBA.

Firm's website.

Our Latest Issue