Free cash withdrawals are doubling: from February the monthly limit is 300 thousand forints

The legal background to the amendment was published in December 2025, and the retail cash balance may continue to increase as a result of the change – according to market expectations. The Hungarian Banking Association previously opposed the increase in the limit, citing that the 0.9% transaction fee charged on ATM withdrawals, which is considered high even in Europe, must be paid even for “fee-free” withdrawals, which is ultimately borne by the banking system – indirectly by customers.

International trends, meanwhile, show a more nuanced picture: in the eurozone, 52% of in-store (POS) payments in 2024 will still be made with cash based on quantity (39% in value), meaning that cash will continue to be part of everyday life in many markets – while the proportion of digital payments is constantly growing.