The shift is undeniable: autumn has arrived.

The rain has broken the summer heat, and Budapest feels lighter, brighter, and a little more alive. Andrew and I are spending more time back in the city, and it’s already shaping up to be a busy September. September 17th brings my very first live community event – a chance to finally meet some of you in person in Budapest. Andrew brought his golf clubs for the British Chamber of Commerce tournament (sponsored by FirstMed), and I’m especially looking forward to a day outdoors with familiar faces. Next week? Wine tasting with the Irish-Hungarian Business Circle.

Closer to home, family life is weaving its way into the month too. My brother-in-law will be performing at FatMo’s Speakeasy Jazz Club in the 5th district on Saturday, while my sister and I cheer him on. For those outside the city, September means harvest festivals, mushroom hunts, and the occasional deer darting across a country road. Personally, I’m counting down to the Pisztráng Fesztivál in Tapolca at the end of the month – one of my absolute favourites.

Yet while the season shifts, so do Hungary tax rules. Platform income is already under EU oversight, and from 2026, if Parliament passes the proposals, crypto traders could join Airbnb hosts and couriers in facing stricter scrutiny.

Why Hungary Tax Rules Are Changing

In early September, National Economy Minister Márton Nagy submitted two bills to Parliament that could reshape how the digital economy is taxed. The aim? To bring more money into state coffers from sectors that have, until now, been difficult to regulate.

The Hungarian government has proposed bills to align with OECD frameworks, requiring platforms and crypto service providers to report detailed user data. Instead of relying on self-declarations, NAV (the Hungarian Tax Authority) will receive annual income reports directly from foreign and domestic operators.

This information will also be shared internationally with partner countries, from Switzerland to the Cayman Islands. In practice, it means fewer blind spots for NAV and fewer opportunities for under-reporting.

Hungary Tax Rules for Airbnb, Couriers and Crypto

So, who will feel the impact of the new Hungary tax rules? Quite a few people:

• Airbnb landlords – whether you rent a spare room or an entire property.
• Gig couriers and drivers – Wolt couriers, Bolt Food drivers, or anyone paid through digital platforms.
• Crypto traders – using exchanges like Revolut, Binance, or Coinbase.

If Parliament passes the proposals, Hungary will apply the OECD frameworks from 1 January 2026. Platform reporting (Airbnb, couriers) is already happening under EU rules, but crypto reporting would be new.

From 1 January 2026, platforms would need to report:

• Company name, address, and tax number.
• Platforms operated.
• User details: name, address, tax ID, date of birth.
• Volume of transactions.

The rules apply regardless of where the company is based. Airbnb in San Francisco? Binance in Malta? If they have Hungarian users, the data goes to NAV.

Pitfalls to Avoid Under the New Hungary Tax Rules

It’s tempting to assume ‘just a little extra income’ won’t draw attention. But under EU rules for platforms, and if Hungary’s crypto bills pass, NAV will receive standardised data directly.

• Occasional rentals still count. Even one-off Airbnb bookings will be reported.
• Crypto isn’t invisible anymore. Small, irregular trades can add up, and NAV could see totals.
• Dual citizens need to double-check. Income may be visible to both Hungarian and foreign tax authorities, raising double-taxation risks.
• Informal deals won’t protect you. Cash-in-hand courier shifts or “off-platform” arrangements may still flag up if connected accounts exist.

Practical note: NAV increasingly cross-checks data supplied by platforms, payment providers, and foreign tax authorities. If platform totals don’t align with your return, you could face follow-up questions. Keep clean records – platform statements, invoices, payout reports, and (for crypto) trade histories and wallet logs.

Helpful Resources & Links

• Internal link: Hungary’s Housing Supply Problem 2025 – for a sense of the wider rental market pressures.

• External link: OECD – Model Rules for Reporting by Platform Operators – the framework Hungary is now implementing.

FAQ

When do the new Hungary tax rules take effect?
Platform reporting already applies under EU rules. Crypto reporting is proposed for 1 January 2026, pending Hungarian law.

Do the rules apply if I only rent out my flat occasionally?
Yes. Any Airbnb or short-term rental income is included.

How will NAV know about my crypto trades?
If Parliament passes the bills, exchanges will report Hungarian users’ trades automatically.

Do these rules apply to foreign platforms not based in Hungary?
Yes. Reporting obligations cover operators with Hungarian users, regardless of where the company is based.

What should I do before 1 January 2026 to stay compliant?
Keep accurate records (invoices, payout reports, platform statements, and for crypto, trade histories). Ensure your 2025–2026 returns match platform totals, and seek advice on any double-taxation issues.

The shift continues.

As we head further into September – with golf tournaments, jazz clubs, and trout festivals filling the calendar – it’s hard not to miss that change is everywhere. Some of the Hungary tax rules are already in force through EU directives, while others, like crypto reporting, are still proposals before Parliament. Together they point to the same outcome: more oversight, less wiggle room. Like autumn’s harvest, NAV will be collecting in its own way. Better to prepare now than be caught off guard when 2026 arrives.

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