Hungary to tighten tax rules for professional athletes

The Hungarian government plans to tighten tax regulations for professional athletes, a move expected to affect approximately 200 individuals, most of whom are foreign nationals. Starting January 1, 2027, the annual income limit for utilizing the simplified tax contribution (EKHO) will be reduced from 500 million HUF to 60 million HUF for professional athletes.

Finance Minister András Kármán stated that the change aims to eliminate an unjustified exception in the tax system, ensuring athletes are subject to the same income thresholds as other eligible professional groups, such as journalists or actors. Prime Minister Péter Magyar previously noted that high-earning foreign professionals do not require specialized tax rules.

In response, the Ferencváros sports club has expressed concerns that the tightening of these rules could jeopardize the international competitiveness of several of its departments. The club indicated that the financial changes might force them to reduce squad sizes and sell players to manage costs.