More than half of Hungarian companies pay their invoices late

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 07. 08. 10:11

53 percent of Hungarian companies do not receive their invoices on time, and this is caused by customers’ liquidity problems. This is stated, among other things, in the annual analysis of payment habits by credit insurer Atradius. Payments are usually made more than a month after the due date, which increases the risk of defaulted trade loans, which, according to the survey, is 6 percent. According to 52 percent of companies, more of their partners will go bankrupt this year than last year. The survey was conducted by interviewing 210 companies.

The Payment Habits Barometer survey shows that 41 percent of B2B sales were made on credit between 2024 and 2025. The typical trend is that companies maintain their existing trade credit policies, and those companies that change, expand rather than limit their lending. According to the Atradius country director, this strategy shows that businesses are trying to maintain the strength of customer relationships and balanced sales. – Meanwhile, companies are cautious about the increasing risk of late payments and defaults. Most companies offer payment terms between 30 and 60 days – said Balázs Vanek.

According to the study, 54 percent of respondents have not experienced any change in their customers’ payment behavior. Of those who reported a change, the payment punctuality of customers has deteriorated. – Currently, 53 percent of B2B invoices are overdue. This shows a slight increase compared to the same period last year, and the reason for this is the liquidity of customers this year as well. In the case of late payments, customers usually settle their invoices one month after the deadline. This increases the risk that invoices will turn into bad debts, this rate is now 6 percent – said the country director.

The food industry has significantly fewer past due invoices than average (40 percent). Bad debts account for 5 percent this year, less than half the rate seen last year.

In the energy and fuel sector, credit sales fell to 38 percent of total sales, indicating that companies in the sector are reducing their risks. The proportion of past due receivables jumped to 59 percent in this sector, and bad debts also increased (9 percent). 63 percent of energy companies say that more of their customers will go bankrupt than last year.

In the transportation sector, 46 percent of B2B sales are made on credit. Half of the sector’s players are willing to extend payment terms to help their customers manage cash flow risks. Respondents reported an increase in the proportion of past due invoices (59 percent). The number of bad loans also increased (4 percent). 47 percent of companies fear an increase in the number of bankruptcies.