To enhance the competitiveness of the Hungarian economy, the Government plans to accelerate the process of setting up companies in Hungary for foreigners. Currently, individuals who do not understand Hungarian language, should wait days or even weeks to receive the decision from the Hungarian Company Registry Court certifying the registration of their new company.

Kinstellar has advised the Hungarian Power Exchange and the Hungarian transmission system operator on the Project Bluesky transaction which saw HUPX join the regional Adex power exchange. Lukman Odvetniska Druzba reportedly advised Adex's Slovenian shareholder, ELES. Isailovic & Partners reportedly advised EMS, the Serbian shareholder of Adex.

Since COVID, we have been living with a rule that makes the acquisition of ownership by foreigners in certain Hungarian companies operating in strategic sectors subject to government approval. Although we can no longer speak of a state of emergency, the rule is expected to stay with us for long – albeit with several modifications along the way, as happened in January this year.

On 26 February 2024, the 34/2024 (II.26) decree on the different application of Act C of 2000 on Accounting during an emergency was published in the Hungarian Gazette, which repeals a decree issued a few days before, on 8 February.

Contributed by Bird & Bird.

As of 1 March 2024, it possible to submit applications for residence permit at the Immigration Authority in accordance with the new regulation, i.e. the Act XC of 2023 on the General Rules for the Entry and Residence of Third-Country Nationals.

Wolf Theiss has advised Budapest Municipality-owned BKM Budapest Public Utilities Nonprofit on its acquisition of E.On Hungaria's 50% stake in BDK Budapest Decorative and Public Lighting.

In order to promote the health of employees and prevent workplace accidents, the Hungarian Government had significantly increased the fines for the breach of occupational health and safety rules as of 1 March 2024. The rule on its amount was removed from the applicable act and its details were laid down in a government decree.

As we move into yet another year with the special surtaxes in effect, the question justifiably arises: for how much longer will the extra-profit taxes, those labelled initially as temporary, encumber the Hungarian taxpayers’ declarations. Also, businesses now have to face additional burdens, such as the EPR fees, the carbon quota tax or the global minimum of the corporate income tax.

Certain amendments to the Land Transaction Act entered into force on 1 January 2024. The amendment introduces the definition of a rice farm, which includes the land and, as an accessory thereto, the land parcel registered as an area excluded from cultivation serving the rice production (e.g. ditch and drainage systems, embankments and farm roads). The amended Act contains specific provisions, such as two new legal bases for the pre-emption right in respect of rice farms.

Former Counsel Viktoria Szilagyi has been promoted to a Partner position with Lakatos Koves & Partners in Budapest.

According to the Hungarian Government's spring 2024 legislative program, the Hungarian Parliament may decide on the introduction of a “European minimum wage” as early as this spring session. The EU minimum wage directive highlights the importance of European social dialogue frameworks in reaching agreements on minimum wages among Member States.

Wolf Theiss, working with Gleiss Lutz, has advised Bausparkasse Schwaebisch Hall, Wuestenrot & Wuerttembergische, and Bausparkasse Wuestenrot on their sale of a 76.35% participation in Fundamenta-Lakaskassza to MBH Bank. DLA Piper advised MBH Bank.

Kinstellar has advised Nestle on its sale of the Boci Hungarian chocolate brand to Hungary's Cerbona. Oppenheim reportedly advised Cerbona.

Schoenherr has advised Bontexgeo on the renewal of its lease agreement for an industrial facility in Tiszaujvaros with Cordys Holding Zrt. Sole practitioner Tamas Eperjesi reportedly advised the lessor.

The recent judgement of the Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU”) on the sale of over-the-counter (OTC) medicinal products online (C-606/21, decision published on 29.02.2024) may have a direct impact on the existing Hungarian legislation and established market practice.

Oppenheim has advised Carussel on the sale of a majority stake in the company to Genesis Capital, on the related agreement regulating their future business cooperation, and on the partial bank financing for the transaction. Kinstellar advised the Genesis Growth Fund I on the purchase.

Noerr has announced it is taking "a new direction in its business in the markets of Central and Eastern Europe," with its Czech, Hungarian, Romanian, and Slovak offices to be transferred to Kinstellar.