Central European economic shifts impact businesses and municipalities

Various economic developments are impacting businesses and municipalities across Central Europe. In Slovakia, the city of Komárom has significantly improved its financial standing, rising to 34th place among 141 Slovakian cities according to INEKO. Meanwhile, new social security regulations for individual entrepreneurs in Slovakia will introduce different contribution levels based on annual income thresholds, with some paying monthly amounts between 131 and 303 euros.

In Hungary, the Restart Hungary initiative is advocating for systemic changes to keep innovation capital within the country, such as introducing the SAFE legal framework for startups. Additionally, a 270 billion forint interest-free credit program has been announced to support SMEs with working capital and investments in digitalization and energy efficiency. However, the VOSZ Barometer indicates a slight decline in business sentiment and investment intentions as companies await clearer economic policies.

In Romania, the real estate market in Kolozsvár remains the most expensive in the country, despite a significant drop in transaction volumes during the third quarter of 2026, partly due to a cyberattack on the National Agency for Cadastre and Real Estate Publicity (ANCPI) systems and changes in VAT for new homes.