Hungary: Social security contribution exemption/reduction in response to COVID-19 - KPMG Global

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KPMG Global (04.05.2020) Modified social security contribution rules shall be applied for the period of March-June 2020 to the specified sectors (Hospitality and tourism; Entertainment, film industry, performing arts; Sports services; Event organization; Gambling).

  • Employers will not be liable to pay their part of social security contributions (17.5%+1.5%) with respect to employment income provided by them in the March-June 2020 period, from 1 July this rate will be set at 15.5%.
  • Employees will only be liable to pay 4% healthcare social security contribution on the employment income received in the March-June 2020 period, instead of the aggregated 18.5% social security contribution. Nevertheless, the upper limit of the above healthcare social security contribution will be HUF 7,710/month.
measures summary

Social security contribution exemption/reduction shall be applied for the period of March-June 2020 to the specified sectors such as Hospitality and tourism, Entertainment, etc.  Employers will not be liable to pay their part of social security contributions (17.5%+1.5%) during the period, while Employees will only be liable to pay 4% healthcare social security contribution instead of the aggregated 18.5% social security contribution.

Measure date
Regions / Country
Global challenges
Document Type
Description/integral text (Internal-not for publishing)

Date accurate as of: 4 May 2020

On March 18, 2020, the Hungarian Government introduced amendments to Hungarian tax and social security law as a response to the economic effects of the coronavirus outbreak. Key measures include:

Social security

  • Modified social security rules shall be applied for the period of March-June 2020 to the following sectors:
    • Hospitality and tourism;
    • Entertainment, film industry, performing arts;
    • Sports services;
    • Event organization;
    • Gambling.
  • The rules for social security contributions in the above sectors have been amended as follows:
    • Employers will not be liable to pay their part of social security contributions (17.5%+1.5%) with respect to employment income provided by them in the March-June 2020 period, from 1 July this rate will be set at 15.5%.
    • Employees will only be liable to pay 4% healthcare social security contribution on the employment income received in the March-June 2020 period, instead of the aggregated 18.5% social security contribution. Nevertheless, the upper limit of the above healthcare social security contribution will be HUF 7,710/month. It should be noted that personal income tax will be still payable.
    • There are changes to the threshold amounts for the taxation of fringe benefits.
    • The measures regarding the support provided to employers in the research and development (R&D) sector are amended.