Hungary plans healthcare wage increases for 123,000 workers from 2027

healthcare wages Zsolt Hegedűs Hugonnai Vilma Program Hungary healthcare salary restructuring

Hungarian Minister Zsolt Hegedűs has announced a comprehensive wage restructuring plan for the healthcare sector starting in 2027. The initiative aims to benefit approximately 123,000 healthcare professionals and support staff. While the average planned increase is 15 percent, the combination of these raises and a planned reduction in personal income tax could result in a net salary growth of up to 17 percent for some employees. In cases of the lowest earners, increases may reach between 30 and 35 percent.

The plan introduces a new salary scale consisting of six classification groups and 15 experience-based levels. Progression to higher pay grades will typically occur every three years, though some may qualify for higher base pay after just one year.

The restructuring is part of the Hugonnai Vilma Program, which allocates an additional 510 billion forints to the healthcare sector from the 2027 budget. Beyond wages, these funds are designated for improving hospital catering, shortening waiting lists, expanding pharmacy subsidies, and developing medical emergency services. The wage adjustment specifically allocates 192 billion forints annually.

The scope of the measure is notably broad, covering hospital and outpatient staff, paramedics, nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists, and midwives. It also includes support personnel such as IT, finance, accounting, and catering staff, as well as workers in home care, hospice, and dialysis services.

Entities

Hugonnai Vilma Program · Hungary · Zsolt Hegedűs

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Increases for the lowest earners may reach 30 to 35 percent. 24.hu
[● 3 SOURCES] The plan includes support staff such as IT, finance, and catering personnel. www.blikk.hu · 24.hu · index.hu
[● 3 SOURCES] Net salary growth could reach 17 percent due to personal income tax reductions. www.blikk.hu · 24.hu · index.hu
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Hugonnai Vilma Program will provide 510 billion forints more to healthcare in the 2027 budget. 24.hu
[● 2 SOURCES] Approximately 123,000 healthcare workers will be affected by the wage plan. www.blikk.hu · 24.hu
[● 2 SOURCES] The new salary scale will consist of six classification groups and 15 experience levels. 24.hu · index.hu
[○ 1 SOURCE] The wage adjustment will cost 192 billion forints annually. www.blikk.hu
[● 3 SOURCES] The planned average wage increase is 15 percent starting in 2027. www.blikk.hu · 24.hu · index.hu