NKFH: 362 million forint fine imposed for serving alcoholic beverages to young people

By: Trademagazin Date: 2026. 01. 26. 10:46

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The National Trade and Consumer Protection Authority (NKFH), with the cooperation of the government agencies under its professional supervision, continuously examined compliance with consumer protection rules regarding the protection of children last year. A fine of 362 million forints was imposed for violating the ban on serving alcoholic beverages, and a fine of 20 million forints was imposed for violating advertising rules and commercial regulations, the authority announced in a statement sent to MTI on Monday.

The inspections will continue in 2026, they added.

Last year’s inspections covered, among other things, the prohibited serving and sale of alcoholic beverages and hookahs to persons under the age of 18. Government agencies carried out a total of 843 inspections, of which 232 violations were found, so the objection rate was 28 percent. The inspections were carried out by the authority’s staff in commercial units, liquor stores, gas stations, festivals and tobacconists. Fines totaling 362 million forints were imposed, but several procedures are still ongoing.

According to the report, continuous inspections were carried out regarding advertising regulations affecting children and young people, commercial regulations, and content published by influencers that may be classified as advertising.

Government agencies carried out a total of 258 inspections in this area, during which 23 violations were detected. The inspectors most often encountered violations of advertising regulations (13 percent objection rate).

In several cases, the offending businesses displayed alcohol advertisements within 200 meters of an educational institution, on outdoor advertising media or in shop windows, but there were also cases when they promoted alcoholic beverages on the opening page of an online store – which is accessible to all visitors without restrictions. The authority’s staff imposed a total fine of 20 million forints for violations of advertising regulations and commercial regulations.

They emphasized that in order to protect children, it was also justified to use consumer protection tools to examine whether summer and autumn children’s camps comply with the law. During the inspection, the government agencies examined the declarations regarding the existence of a good conduct certificate required for persons participating in the organization and implementation of the camp. The government agencies carried out a total of 226 inspections; objections were raised during 23 of these, and in 17 cases neither the good conduct certificate nor the relevant declaration could be presented.

Child protection is one of the key points of the 7-point consumer protection action plan announced last fall, so the NKFH and the government agencies under its professional management will do everything in their power to protect vulnerable consumers in 2026 as well – the NKFH finally indicated.