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Hungary's New Wealth Tax Targets Orbán-Era Oligarchs

economy-finance · 2026-06-09

Hungary has become the first EU state since the 1980s to introduce a new wealth tax. Prime Minister Péter Magyar and his finance minister are targeting super-rich individuals and corruption from the Orbán era. In early May, advertising magnate Gyula Balásy, one of the country's richest men, appeared on a Budapest television studio near tears. He announced that his companies had been handed over to the state, along with a substantial portion of his private savings, and produced a notarized document as proof. Balásy stated, "In the current situation, I do not believe our company group has a future." He was among the most prominent profiteers of the Orbán era, operating a network of billboard spaces.

Key facts

  • Hungary is the first EU state since the 1980s to introduce a new wealth tax.
  • Prime Minister Péter Magyar and his finance minister are targeting super-rich individuals and corruption from the Orbán era.
  • Advertising magnate Gyula Balásy appeared on a Budapest television studio near tears in early May.
  • Balásy announced his companies had been handed over to the state, along with a substantial portion of his private savings.
  • Balásy produced a notarized document as proof of the transfer.
  • Balásy stated, 'In the current situation, I do not believe our company group has a future.'
  • Balásy was among the most prominent profiteers of the Orbán era.
  • Balásy operated a network of billboard spaces.

Entities

Institutions

  • Freitag

Locations

  • Hungary
  • Budapest

Sources