Hungary BYD plant investigation

In July 2026 the Hungarian government opened a broad inquiry into the public support granted to Chinese electric‑vehicle maker BYD for its new factory in Szeged. The probe examined state subsidies, tax exemptions, permits and the use of foreign‑worker permits, amid concerns that the former foreign minister now employed by BYD might have created conflicts of interest. Inspectors visited the partially built plant to verify residence permits and employment contracts, noting that the number of guest‑worker permits requested was close to the promised job count.

A week later BYD announced that the majority of jobs at the Szeged plant would be filled by Hungarian workers, with almost 800 locals employed as production ramps up. The company clarified that the sizable guest‑worker permit relates only to construction and installation phases and has not been fully utilized. BYD pledged to comply with Hungarian and EU labour laws and to cooperate with authorities on recruitment and training programmes for a domestic workforce.