SPAR takes Hungary to Brussels again over retail tax, even though PM Magyar asked for patience

SPAR has actually submitted a brand-new problem with the European Commission over Hungary’s unique retail tax, arguing that current modifications to the guidelines do little to assist big grocery store chains. The relocation comes in spite of Prime Minister Péter Magyar requesting perseverance while his federal government works to stabilise the nation’s financial resources.

SPAR has actually lodged another grievance with the European Commission over Hungary’s unique retail tax, declaring that the levy continues to downside foreign-owned grocery store chains which a current modification planned to reduce the problem is successfully unusable for big sellers.

According to Hungarian News Agency MTI, which pointed out a business declaration, the Austrian grocery store group sent its newest problem after taking a comparable action in 2024. Peter Manhartsberger, a senior SPAR executive, explained the guidelines as “unreasonable” and intentionally obstructive, arguing that they might require business to alter their business structures.

Why SPAR states the modifications do not work

SPAR argues that the Tisza federal government has actually kept the unique tax presented by the previous administration, making just alters that enable big wholesalers to run through a number of smaller sized business and possibly pay less or no retail tax.

According to TelexManhartsberger informed Austrian news firm APA that SPAR Hungary, which runs numerous shops throughout the nation, can not reasonably be divided into numerous different business.

He likewise argued that requiring organizations to reorganize to gain from the tax guidelines disputes with EU law. SPAR’s grievance supposedly indicates anti-tax-avoidance arrangements that might avoid the authorities from acknowledging business reorganisations performed mostly for tax functions.

The business for that reason thinks the change provides little useful relief to a big retail chain running through a single Hungarian subsidiary.

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Just how much is the Hungarian tax costing SPAR?

The conflict comes versus the background of considerable monetary losses reported by SPAR Hungary.

According to figures mentioned by Forbesthe Hungarian subsidiary created net earnings of HUF 983 billion (roughly EUR 2.7 billion) in 2025. It decreased its losses by more than HUF 3 billion compared with the previous year, it still ended the year with a deficit of around HUF 21 billion.

SPAR has actually likewise highlighted the expense of Hungary’s retail tax and cost margin limitations. Its president, Hans K. Reisch, stated in an interview that the business paid EUR 85 million in unique retail tax in 2025, while the rate margin cap expense it an additional EUR 37 million.

The business has actually consistently argued that the combined problem makes lucrative operations in Hungary tough. In 2024, SPAR and Austria likewise grumbled to the European Commission, declaring that the procedures were incompatible with EU law and had actually increased the business’s expenses by EUR 90 million. SPAR formerly reported a loss of practically EUR 50 million for 2023.

If you missed it: SPAR states it will remain in Hungary just on “affordable” terms, CEO alerts

EU legal action contributes to the pressure

The European Commission has actually currently taken Hungary to the Court of Justice of the European Union over the unique retail tax and the rate margin constraints, bringing the disagreement beyond SPAR’s own grievance.

The grocery store group has actually consistently required EU intervention, with assistance from Austrian political figures. Its newest submission signals that the business stays disappointed with the modifications presented by the Hungarian authorities.

Péter Magyar requested for perseverance over unique taxes

Prime Minister Péter Magyar has actually formerly shown that his federal government wishes to reform the tax system and offer Hungarian and foreign financiers with level playing fields.

Throughout a see to Austria following his consultation as prime minister, Magyar acknowledged that the state spending plan remained in a hard position and asked companies to be client while the federal government worked to stabilise public financial resources.

Financing Minister András Kármán had actually likewise promised throughout the election project to minimize the tax concern.