Ban, S. Szabo, Rausch & Partners has advised E.On Drive Infrastructure on establishing a new Hungarian subsidiary and acquiring the electro-mobility charging infrastructure from E.ON Hungaria, to continue operating as a stand-alone network in Hungary.

Starting on 1 January 2024, a new feature was launched regarding personal income allowances, meaning that certain tax base reduction allowances can also be claimed on a continuing basis. The purpose of the existing tax advance return is to allow the employer to determine and deduct the tax advance, considering both benefits and costs.

Nowadays, one can hear a lot about generative artificial intelligence ("Generative AI"), which can be used to create different types of content (e.g., text, images, software source code) in an automated way by giving simple instructions (so-called "prompts"). Companies may reasonably ask whether it is worth investing, at this point, in software using Generative AI; however, the current Hungarian legislative environment does not provide answers to this question, which could clearly provide guidance in all cases, on a general basis. For this reason, the legal implications of each investment (be it either procurement or "in-house" development) need to be examined on a case-by-case basis.

According to a draft legislation on digital companies issued at the end of 2023, “digital companies” would be exempt from paying public burdens and local business tax. Employees in employment relationships and the executives of companies could fulfil their tax payment obligations after their income through special public burden contributions.

Wolf Theiss has advised Uniper on the sale of the Gonyu gas-fired combined-cycle 430-megawatt power plant to Veolia. BDO Legal Hungary and Cleary Gottlieb reportedly advised Veolia.

The legal status of platform workers (e.g. food couriers) is continuously subject to interpretation and often times scrutiny from the authorities. The Hungarian Curia settled the status in its latest decision, at least from a labour law point of view.

CMS has advised the OTP Group on the binding agreement to sell its stake in OTP Bank Romania and all subsidiaries to Banca Transilvania for a combined purchase price is EUR 347.5 million. Filip & Company advised Banca Transilvania on the acquisition.

Schoenherr has advised Enery on its ten-year virtual cross-border power purchase agreement with Asahi Europe & International's Dreher Breweries in Hungary.

David Hanis joined Oppenheim in Budapest to specialize in energy fresh out of law school, and has never looked back. 15 years later, just before Christmas 2023, CEE Legal Matters reported on his appointment to a Partner position at the same firm. Demonstrating you can move forward by staying in the same place, he shares his story below.

A reorganisation of the authorities regulating the pharma sector and new legislative pieces have brought notable changes to the life sciences sector in Hungary.

Schoenherr has advised the TeraPlast Group on its acquisition of the Wolfgang Freiler Group from Austria's Uhl family.

Gabor Pazsitka has joined Schonherr's Budapest office as a Partner and the Head of the firm's local Banking & Finance practice.

Most of us have likely encountered a situation where we bought our favourite chocolate at the grocery store, only to be surprised upon opening it at home to find that the size and weight of the chocolate had decreased, while the packaging and price remained unchanged.

Ban & Karika Attorneys at Law recently announced that Partner Marton Karika has left the team in a move that became effective on February 1, 2024.

Oppenheim has recently announced the appointment of Peter Virag – formerly of DLA Piper – as Head of its Antitrust, Competition, and Trade team.

On 15 June 2021, the Hungarian Parliament passed Act C of 2021 on Land Registration that was supposed to enter into force on 1 February 2023. As this deadline neared, it became evident that neither private citizens, companies, lawyers nor authorities were adequately prepared for the change.

It is a common labour law problem in Hungary that in case the employee, due to medical reasons, becomes permanently unfit for the job he previously fulfilled, the employer does not amend or terminate the employment (the latter of which would entail an obligation to pay severance pay), but keeps the employee on “idle time” without giving him tasks and salary. In our article, we examine this issue in light of the recent decision of the Hungarian Supreme Court.

Schoenherr has advised the OTP Real Estate Investment Fund on its purchase of a land plot in Ullo, Hungary, from Rossmann, the development agreement for a BTS logistic center on the site with development manager Panattoni, and a long-term lease agreement for the facility with Rossmann as tenant. CMS and Noerr advised Panattoni. PwC Legal reportedly advised Rossmann.