Extended support: small pubs in villages with a population of 2,000 can now apply

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 04. 25. 11:32

A new opportunity has opened up for rural pubs: the government has now expanded the small pub support program announced at the end of March. In the future, not only settlements with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants, but also pubs in villages with up to 2,000 inhabitants can apply for support.

The change was announced by Alpár Gyopáros, the government commissioner responsible for the development of modern settlements, from a location in Tolna County. In a video posted on Facebook, he checked in from a small pub in Gerjen, where the owner of the local pub recalled the old days. According to him, the traffic was once so high that “you couldn’t throw down a 5-forint note, there were so many people”, and on the best nights, up to 3-400 guests visited the pub. The place was a popular meeting point not only among the people of Gerjen, but also among the people of the surrounding villages, especially after football practices and on weekend evenings.

The government commissioner highlighted in the video: under the program, pub operators can apply for a non-refundable grant of three million forints. The amount awarded can be freely used for operating costs or even for energy modernization. Alpár Gyopáros emphasized that village pubs are not only catering establishments, but also community meeting points that play a key role in the everyday life of rural life.

The aim of the measure is to strengthen the community life of small settlements and to help local caterers maintain and develop their operations. By expanding the application opportunity, the government wants to support the survival of as many village pubs as possible, thereby giving life to local communities.