Nikolai Timofejev
15 years in FinTech and payments. Maps your business model to the right licence scope and leads the file all the way to the MNB decision, including banking and payment rails.
Get a crypto license in Hungary.
Hungary licenses crypto under MiCA, supervised by the central bank, the MNB. After a turbulent 2025, the country's own penalty regime was repealed in August 2026 and the route is clean again - with the EU's lowest corporate tax at 9%. We build that file end to end.
27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
400+
Crypto licenses obtainedlicenses obtained
Updated
Hungary in brief
A rocky 2025, a clean route in 2026.
Hungary's crypto path took a detour in 2025. From 1 July that year, national law made converting crypto through an unlicensed service a criminal offence carrying several years in prison, and layered a separate validation regime on top, supervised by a new body, SARA. Several platforms paused their Hungarian services, and the European Commission opened a MiCA infringement case, since the national rules duplicated protections MiCA already gives. That period is over: Act XXXVIII of 2026 repealed the criminal penalties and the validation requirement with effect from 7 August 2026, bringing Hungary back into line with the EU framework.
What remains is the clean route - CASP authorisation under MiCA, supervised by the Magyar Nemzeti Bank, the MNB, Hungary's central bank and a serious financial regulator. The first Hungarian MiCA licence was granted in mid-2026, so the desk is open and working. The headline draw is tax: at 9%, Hungary has the lowest corporate rate in the European Union, and private crypto gains are taxed at a flat 15%. Budapest sits at the centre of the CEE region, with lower costs than Western Europe and a full EU passport from the licence. We build the file end to end.
Hungary licenses crypto under MiCA, supervised by the central bank, the MNB. The 2025 penalty regime was repealed in August 2026, so the route is clean again.
The headline draw is tax: 9% corporate, the EU's lowest, with a flat 15% on private crypto gains. A CEE hub with a full EU passport.
Licence classes
One authorisation, scoped to your services.
MiCA defines ten crypto-asset services across three capital classes. The MNB authorises the exact scope you apply for, and that scope drives capital, systems and the depth of the file. We fix the perimeter first, then build once.
Ten MiCA services in three capital classes - the MNB authorises the exact scope you apply for.
01 - CASP · CLASS 1-2
Core crypto services
For brokers, exchangers and custodians - execution, exchange and safekeeping of client crypto-assets under one MNB authorisation. Minimum capital €50,000-€125,000 depending on scope.
For brokers, exchangers and custodians - execution, exchange and safekeeping of client crypto-assets under one MNB authorisation. Minimum capital €50,000-€125,000 depending on scope.
- ✓Exchange of crypto ↔ fiat and crypto ↔ crypto
- ✓Execution, reception and transmission of orders
- ✓Custody and administration of client crypto-assets
- ✓Transfer services for crypto-assets
- ✓Advice and portfolio management on crypto-assets
- ✓Placing of crypto-assets
02 - CASP · CLASS 3
EU's lowest corporate taxTrading platform
The highest MiCA tier - operation of a crypto trading venue with €150,000 minimum capital, listing rules and market-abuse controls, passportable across the EU from a 9% tax base.
The highest MiCA tier - a trading venue with €150,000 capital, passportable across the EU from a 9% tax base.
- ✓Operation of a crypto-asset trading platform
- ✓Matching of buyers and sellers in the venue
- ✓Admission-to-trading (listing) framework
- ✓Market-abuse monitoring under MiCA Title VI
- ✓Combines with custody and exchange services
- ✓One home regulator - the MNB - for all 27 states
Costs and timelines are confirmed for your case before any work begins. The MNB charges statutory fees by scope; the real investment is the file - capital, substance and documentation are scoped individually in your quote.
Why Hungary
The EU's lowest tax, on a clean MiCA route.
The framework is MiCA CASP under the MNB, the central bank - now that the 2025 national penalty regime has been repealed and Hungary is back in step with the EU.
✓
9% corporate tax - the EU's lowest
Hungary taxes company profits at a flat 9%, the lowest rate in the Union. For a licensed CASP running real volume, the gap against Western Europe compounds year on year.The EU's lowest headline rate.
✓
A central-bank regulator
The MNB is Hungary's central bank and financial supervisor. Its CASP authorisation is a serious approval, and the first Hungarian MiCA licence was granted in mid-2026 - the desk is open.MNB CASP; first licence granted in 2026.
✓
The 2025 detour is closed
Act XXXVIII of 2026 repealed the criminal penalties and the validation regime from 7 August 2026. The disruptive national layer is gone, and MiCA is the clean, single route in.Penalties repealed from 7 Aug 2026.
✓
A full EU passport
One MNB authorisation covers all 27 member states after ESMA notification. The 9% tax base reaches the whole single market with no re-licensing.All 27 states after ESMA notification.
✓
15% flat on private crypto gains
Individuals pay a flat 15% personal income tax on crypto gains - predictable, and among the lower personal rates in the region for founders relocating.Flat and predictable for founders.
✓
A CEE hub with lower costs
Budapest sits at the centre of Central and Eastern Europe, with a deep engineering pool and office and payroll costs below Paris, Frankfurt or Vienna.Budapest, below Vienna or Frankfurt.
How it compares
How Hungary differs from other routes.
Hungary is the low-tax CEE route, back on a clean MiCA footing after 2025. The honest comparison is positioning: the EU's lowest corporate rate, under a central-bank regulator, with a full passport.
Hungary vs other jurisdictions
| Feature |  Hungary | Other jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory regime | MiCA CASP under the MNB | National regimes or lighter desks |
| Corporate tax | 9% - the EU's lowest | Higher across the bloc |
| 2025 penalty regime | Repealed, effective Aug 2026 | Not applicable |
| Home market | CEE hub, lower costs | Varies |
Regulatory regime
HungaryMiCA CASP under the MNB
Other jurisdictionsNational regimes or lighter desks
Corporate tax
Hungary9% - the EU's lowest
Other jurisdictionsHigher across the bloc
2025 penalty regime
HungaryRepealed, effective Aug 2026
Other jurisdictionsNot applicable
Home market
HungaryCEE hub, lower costs
Other jurisdictionsVaries
Country by country
| Country | License type | Taxation | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hungary | MiCA CASP (MNB) | 9% CIT | Central bank; low tax base |
 Czech Republic | MiCA CASP (ČNB) | 21% CIT | Fast, technical, predictable |
 Lithuania | MiCA CASP (Bank of Lithuania) | 17% CIT (2026) | Fast, but strict AML practice |
 France | MiCA CASP (AMF) | 25% CIT | Thorough; PSAN fast-track |
HungaryLicense typeMiCA CASP (MNB)
Taxation9% CIT
RequirementsCentral bank; low tax base
Czech RepublicLicense typeMiCA CASP (ČNB)
Taxation21% CIT
RequirementsFast, technical, predictable
LithuaniaLicense typeMiCA CASP (Bank of Lithuania)
Taxation17% CIT (2026)
RequirementsFast, but strict AML practice
FranceLicense typeMiCA CASP (AMF)
Taxation25% CIT
RequirementsThorough; PSAN fast-track
Before you apply
Requirements for the MNB authorisation.Requirements for MNB authorisation.
The MNB reviews a CASP file as the central bank it is - completely. The checklist below is what a file that passes actually contains - built to MiCA, the Hungarian implementation and the ESMA technical standards.
01
Hungarian entity - typically a Kft or Zrt with its registered office and effective management in Hungary.
02
Substance - decision-making, compliance and at least part of operations genuinely in the country; letterbox setups fail.
03
Fit & proper management - at least two competent directors with clean records and relevant experience.
04
Own funds - €50,000, €125,000 or €150,000 by service class, or a quarter of fixed overheads if higher.
05
Programme of operations - services, target markets, volumes and a three-year business plan the MNB can interrogate.
06
AML/CFT framework - KYC, EDD, monitoring and reporting to the Hungarian FIU, with a named compliance officer.
07
ICT and DORA compliance - resilience testing, incident reporting, a register of ICT providers and exit plans.
08
Safeguarding of client assets - segregation of client crypto and funds, custody policy and key-management design.
09
Governance - ownership disclosed up to UBOs, qualifying holdings declared, conflicts and complaints procedures.
10
White papers and disclosures where you issue or admit crypto-assets to trading.
11
Wind-down plan - credible, funded and documented.
01
Hungarian Kft or Zrt with effective management here.
02
Real substance - compliance and decisions on the ground.
03
Two fit & proper directors.
04
Own funds €50k-€150k by class.
05
Programme of operations + 3-year plan.
06
AML/CFT with named officer, FIU reporting.
07
ICT resilience under DORA.
08
Segregation and custody of client assets.
09
Ownership disclosed up to UBOs.
10
White papers where you issue or list.
11
Credible, funded wind-down plan.
Reflects MiCA, the Hungarian implementation and MNB practice as of 2026. The 2025 criminal-penalty and validation regime was repealed by Act XXXVIII of 2026, effective 7 August 2026.MiCA + Hungarian implementation, MNB practice as of 2026. 2025 penalties repealed Aug 2026.
How it works
From first call to the MNB register.
01
Perimeter and strategy
We map your services to the MiCA classes and fix scope, capital and timeline in writing before any drafting starts.MiCA classes, capital, timeline - in writing.
02
Hungarian company and substance
Kft or Zrt formation, registered office, directors and the governance layer - the presence the MNB assesses behind the file.Kft or Zrt, office, directors.
03
The application file
Programme of operations, AML/CFT framework, ICT and DORA documentation, safeguarding and wind-down - assembled to MNB standards.Programme, AML, DORA, wind-down - MNB-grade.
04
MNB review
The statutory MiCA clock - 25 working days to completeness, 40 more to assessment - plus question rounds, 6-10 months in practice. We answer every round.25+40 wd statutory; 6-10 months in practice.
05
Authorisation and passport
Entry in the MNB register, ESMA notification and passporting into all 27 EU states - plus ongoing reporting we can keep running.Register entry, then all 27 EU states.
Quick facts
RegulatorMNB (central bank)
FrameworkMiCA CASP
Capital€50k / €125k / €150k
Statutory clock25 + 40 working days
In practice6-10 months
EntityKft or Zrt + 2 directors
Corporate tax9%
PassportAll 27 EU states
The MNB's completeness bar is the real timeline - a well-built file is where the months are won.
On the ground in Hungary
Run from our Dubai office, with Hungarian counsel.
Prifinance - Hungary desk
Budapest · Hungary
Budapest, Hungary
01
Hungarian company formation
Kft or Zrt incorporation, registered office and the corporate layer the MNB expects - structured for the application.Kft or Zrt, structured for the file.
02
The authorisation file
Programme of operations, AML pack, ICT/DORA documentation and capital planning - drafted by us and defended through the MNB's question rounds.Programme, AML, DORA - defended through review.
03
Directors and substance
Director search, compliance staffing and office arrangements - the substance Hungarian law demands, assembled pragmatically.Director search, staffing, office.
04
Banking and tax setup
Corporate accounts, the 9% tax registration and payment rails - the operational layer a live CASP needs from day one.Accounts, 9% tax, payment rails.
We also have offices in
Tallinn
Estonia
Roseni 13
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
Prague
Czech Republic
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
London
United Kingdom
7 Bell Yard
Dubai
UAE
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
Istanbul
Turkey
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Good to know
Taxation of crypto companies in Hungary.
The draw is the rate: at 9%, Hungary has the lowest corporate tax in the European Union, and private crypto gains carry a flat 15%. Neither is a crypto-specific levy - both are the ordinary Hungarian rates.
9% corporate rate - the EU's lowest
Hungary taxes company profits at a flat 9%, the lowest headline rate in the Union. Ordinary deductions apply, with no crypto-specific surcharge.The EU's lowest headline rate.
Local business tax
Municipalities levy a local business tax of up to 2% on net revenue, Budapest included - a small add-on to model alongside the 9% headline.Up to 2% on net revenue.
15% on private crypto gains
Individuals pay a flat 15% personal income tax on crypto gains, with losses and costs offsettable - predictable for founders and staff.Flat personal rate on crypto.
VAT-exempt exchange
Crypto-to-fiat exchange is VAT-exempt as a financial service under the Hedqvist line - the 27% standard rate touches only ordinary supplies.Hedqvist line; 27% on ordinary supplies.
An EU-aligned regime
Hungarian tax rules follow the EU framework, with guidance behind them, so positions on trading and disposals are researchable rather than guesswork.Researchable positions, not guesswork.
DAC8 reporting from 2026
EU-wide crypto reporting applies from January 2026 - CASPs report client transactions to tax authorities automatically. Compliance is built into your setup from day one.Automatic CASP reporting, EU-wide.
Tax summary
Corporate income tax9%
Local business taxup to 2%
Private crypto gains15%
VAT on crypto exchangeExempt
Standard VAT27%
DAC8 reportingfrom 2026
*Figures as of 2026. We model both company and owner levels before you commit.
Turnkey professional support
Experienced lawyers and international consultants.
We provide end-to-end support, from company registration and the application file to regulatory interaction and compliance oversight - with an individualized approach to each client.
Oleksii Kindratenko
Builds the application itself: Hungarian Kft or Zrt, AML/KYC policy pack, capital structure and tax registrations. His document sets are the reason reviews finish in months, not years.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
First point of contact for international founders. Runs the whole setup remotely, across time zones and languages - from the first call to a live, MNB-authorised business.
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Hungary · MNB
Launch your crypto project in Hungary with expert support.
Full-service assistance - from company registration to MNB authorisation and ongoing compliance.
Get a consultation →Free legal opinion
Is Hungary the right fit for your project?
Our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which jurisdiction, licence scope, or route fits your business.
Written assessment within 2-5 business days
Request a free conclusion →FAQ
The Hungarian crypto licence, answered.
What licence does a crypto business need in Hungary?+
CASP authorisation from the MNB under MiCA - required for exchange, brokerage, custody, transfer, advice and trading-platform services. It is the single route in.
What happened to Hungary's strict 2025 crypto rules?+
From 1 July 2025 Hungary criminalised unlicensed crypto conversion and added a separate validation regime, which disrupted the market and drew an EU infringement case. Act XXXVIII of 2026 repealed both, effective 7 August 2026, so the clean MiCA route is what remains.
Who regulates crypto in Hungary?+
The Magyar Nemzeti Bank (MNB), Hungary's central bank, is the competent authority for CASP authorisation and supervision. The first Hungarian MiCA licence was granted in mid-2026.
How much capital is required?+
MiCA's three classes: €50,000 for advice and order services, €125,000 for exchange, execution and custody, €150,000 for a trading platform - or a quarter of annual fixed overheads if that is higher.
How long does MNB authorisation take?+
The statutory MiCA clock is 25 working days to completeness plus 40 for assessment, and question rounds follow - 6-10 months in practice for a well-prepared file.
What makes Hungary attractive on tax?+
At 9%, Hungary has the lowest corporate rate in the EU, and private crypto gains are taxed at a flat 15%. A small local business tax of up to 2% applies on top of the 9% headline.
What substance does the MNB expect?+
A Hungarian Kft or Zrt with effective management in Hungary: at least two fit-and-proper directors, a compliance function on the ground, a real office and systems that demonstrably run. Letterbox structures are rejected.
Does the Hungarian licence passport across the EU?+
Yes - one MNB authorisation covers all 27 EU member states through MiCA passporting after an ESMA notification, with no re-licensing.
What licence is needed?+
MNB CASP authorisation under MiCA - the route in.
The 2025 rules?+
Penalties and validation repealed, 7 Aug 2026.
Who regulates crypto?+
The MNB, Hungary's central bank.
Capital?+
€50k / €125k / €150k by service class.
How long?+
6-10 months; completeness drives it.
Tax?+
9% corporate - EU's lowest; 15% private gains.
Substance?+
Kft or Zrt, two directors, real office.
EU passport?+
Yes - all 27 states by notification.
Client notes
Google4.7★★★★★
Founders who wanted it done right.
Google4.7★★★★★
“As a software development crew at FewMoreTaps OÜ, we've had the pleasure of working with Prifinance on some key financial moves.First of all, navigating the world of corporate banking and finance can be a maze, but Prifinance made it feel like a walk in the park. They helped us set up a corporate bank account without the hassle of jumping on a plane or drowning in paperwork. Everything was done remotely, smoothly…”
Google
“I had their assistance in company registration and I would recommend them. They were answering all my clarification during the process and offering all their supportThank you Daniel and Irinia”
Google
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Get a free legal opinion on your project - our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which jurisdiction, licence scope, or route fits your business.Free legal opinion: which Hungarian route fits your project and what it will cost.
✓Written legal opinion within 2-5 business days - free of charge✓A clear recommendation on the right licence scope, not a sales pitch✓Transparent fixed fees, confirmed up front✓EN · RU · ES speaking team
Prifinance is an independent law and advisory firm. We are not a regulator and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the MNB or any other public authority. Authorisations are granted by, and obtained directly from, the competent authorities.