Hungarian Treasury Seizes 7.5 billion forints from Budapest’s Account

The Hungarian State Treasury deducted a lump‑sum payment of 7.5 billion forints from Budapest’s municipal account, as confirmed by Kiss Ambrus, director of the Mayor’s Office. The amount is not part of the 2023 solidarity contribution but represents a payment due in December 2025, so the Treasury’s action complies with Finance Minister Kármán’s June decree that postponed the city’s 2026 obligations until 15 October.

Budapest’s mayor‑alike administration had asked for an additional deferral of the 7.5 billion charge, but the request was denied. The city, already operating under a heavy loan of over 60 billion forints, faces a September 19 deadline for its current credit line, and the Treasury’s collection brings the total state withdrawals from the city’s budget to roughly 29 billion forints this year.

The move has sparked a legal dispute over the calculation and collection of the solidarity contribution, with the city contesting both the amount and the method of collection. A court ruling in November 2025 is expected to address the city’s claims that the Treasury did not follow required procedures before levying the charge.