State support scheme

Tourism is performing strongly, yet restaurant profitability is declining: cost pressures (particularly rising wage costs) and administrative burdens are squeezing the margins of many businesses.

This article is available for reading in Trade magazin 2026/02-03

In response the government has announced a HUF 100bn package of 5+1 measures aimed at improving liquidity, increasing profitability and encouraging further whitening of the sector.

1. Partial abolition of the representation tax: this tax will be abolished up to 1% of sales revenue, but not exceeding HUF 100m per year.

2. Reduction of the tourism development contribution: from 4% to 2%.

3. Wage relief through the extension of the tax logic of the service charge: restaurants can spend up to 20% of their revenue on wages with preferential taxation similar to service charges.

4. Preferential working capital loan through the Kisfaludy programme: up to HUF 10m can be requested.

5. Hospitality Handbook: a practical guide for the sector.

+1. Going paperless.