Invoice purchases and digital payments: this is how Hungarians’ payment habits are changing

Digitalization in receivables management

The research revealed that the digitalization of receivables management processes among Hungarian companies shows significant progress: 26% of companies partially use digital solutions, 48% largely use digital solutions, while 14% have introduced a fully digitalized process. Only 8% operate largely manually, and 2% have no standardized process. In comparison, in Germany every eighth company still manages its receivables manually, while in France only every twenty-fifth company does so.

Payment methods and risks

Traditional payment methods continue to dominate in Hungary, especially among business customers: payment by invoice (postpaid) is in first place with a prevalence of 82%, prepayment is 37%, credit card is 43%, transfer is 42%, and cash payment is 45%. For private customers, cash payment is the most common (66%), bank card payment is preferred by 53% of the population, and 43% also indicated payment by invoice.

The prevalence of digital payment methods is increasing in Hungary: currently 58% among private customers (B2C), while in the business (B2B) sector it is 38%. The most popular solutions are mobile payments (B2C: 28%, B2B: 6%) and instant payments (B2C: 31%, B2B: 26%). The “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) option remains marginal, with a share of only 7% in B2C and 10% in B2B, so decision-makers see it as a significant payment risk.

Sustainability in corporate strategy

Sustainability is increasingly gaining importance in the everyday operations of Hungarian companies. According to the research, 57% of respondents would like to see more sustainability efforts from companies, 55% say that their own company takes responsibility in ecological and social areas, while 50% consider ecological-social aspects as a key factor in their business success. Of these, 43% specifically want to contract with sustainable partners, and 35% ensure that their partners have an ESG rating when signing a contract. In a European comparison, Germany and Switzerland are at the forefront, where nearly two-thirds of companies highlight sustainability as a strategic priority.

Corporate expectations for decision-makers

In order to reduce outstanding receivables and improve corporate financial stability, nearly half of Hungarian companies (48%) are calling for a reduction in bureaucracy, simplification of legal options for debt collection (41%), and relaxation of data protection regulations (42%) in the area of ​​creditworthiness assessment.

The research shows that Hungarian companies’ debt management and payment processes are increasingly digitalized, while sustainability is becoming a strategic priority. Traditional methods remain decisive in terms of payment habits, but digital options are spreading rapidly, especially among private individuals.

EOS Hungary is committed to offering its clients modern, sustainable and digitally supported receivables management solutions that ensure not only efficiency but also business stability in the changing economic environment.