Online safety & content laws in Hungary (2026)
Online safety rules in Hungary: comprehensive law.
Hungary applies the EU Digital Services Act as its primary online platform and content-moderation framework, with the NMHH designated as the sole Digital Services Coordinator since January 2023 and the DSA fully in force for all intermediaries since February 2024. Parliament supplemented EU rules with national laws on child protection online (Act XLIX/2024) and criminalisation of online incitement to violence (Act LXXVIII/2024). Freedom House rates Hungary 'Partly Free' on internet freedom, noting concerns about government influence over the media landscape and use of the Sovereignty Protection Office to investigate independent online outlets.
Legal framework
EU Digital Services Act (Regulation (EU) 2022/2065) applied directly; national implementation via DSA Executive Act (Act XCIX of 2023); Digital Services Coordinator: National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH); supplemented by Act XLIX of 2024 (child protection/online pornography) and Act LXXVIII of 2024 (Suppression of Internet Aggression, in force 1 January 2025)
The Digital Services Act in Hungary
In Hungary, online platforms and intermediaries are governed by the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), a directly-applicable regulation covering illegal content, transparency and user protection.
- Framework
- the EU Digital Services Act (Regulation (EU) 2022/2065)
- Approach
- notice-and-action on illegal content, transparency reporting, clear terms, and protection of minors
- Applies to
- online intermediaries, hosting services and platforms offering services to users in Hungary, wherever established
- Very large platforms
- platforms and search engines with 45M+ EU users face extra systemic-risk audits, overseen by the European Commission
- Maximum fine
- up to 6% of global annual turnover
- Oversight
- the national Digital Services Coordinator, plus the European Commission for very large platforms
The DSA is an EU regulation applied directly in Hungary; the national Digital Services Coordinator handles day-to-day supervision.
Key points: internet & online safety in Hungary
EU DSA full application
Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 (Digital Services Act) has applied to all online intermediaries in Hungary since 17 February 2024; designated VLOPs and VLOSEs were already subject to it from August 2023.
NMHH as Digital Services Coordinator
The National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH) was designated Hungary's sole DSC from 1 January 2023 under Act XCIX of 2023 (DSA Executive Act). The NMHH can impose conditions and obligations as interim measures for up to 90 days to avert serious and imminent harm to users.
Suppression of Internet Aggression Act
Act LXXVIII of 2024, in force from 1 January 2025, criminalises publicly publishing content on electronic communications networks that incites violent acts, carrying imprisonment of up to one year; it also imposes moderation-policy obligations on press publishers that host user comments.
Child protection and ISP filtering
Act XLIX of 2024 on restricting pornographic content online obliges ISPs to provide filtering software to residential subscribers free of charge upon request; advertising rules protecting children on video-sharing platforms and in electronic media took effect 1 January 2025.
LGBTQ+ content restrictions
Act LXXIX of 2021 bans minors from accessing online content depicting homosexuality or gender identity divergence; a further April 2025 constitutional amendment banning LGBT+ events has impacted online organising, with Freedom House noting a score decline as a direct result.
Media freedom and independence concerns
Freedom House (2025) rates Hungary 'Partly Free' on internet freedom (score declined in 2025), citing government-aligned media dominance, use of the Sovereignty Protection Office to investigate independent online outlets (e.g. Átlátszó) for foreign funding, and politically motivated investigations into journalists.
The Digital Services Act in Hungary: FAQ
Does the Digital Services Act apply in Hungary?
Yes. As an EU member, Hungary is covered by the EU Digital Services Act (Regulation (EU) 2022/2065), which applies directly.
What does the DSA require of platforms in Hungary?
Notice-and-action mechanisms for illegal content, transparency reporting, clear terms of service, and measures to protect minors.
Who enforces the DSA in Hungary?
The national Digital Services Coordinator, with the European Commission supervising very large online platforms and search engines.
What are the penalties under the DSA in Hungary?
Up to 6% of a provider's global annual turnover for serious breaches.
Sources
- english.nmhh.hu/article/254348/Annual_activity_report_of_the_Hungarian_digital_servic
- english.nmhh.hu/document/254350/nmhh_dsc_annual_activity_report_2024_en.pdf
- cms-lawnow.com/en/ealerts/2023/11/hungary-adopts-national-legislation-to-complement-
- cms-lawnow.com/en/ealerts/2024/11/navigating-online-safety-new-legislative-measures-
- better-internet-for-kids.europa.eu/en/rules-guidelines/act-lxxviii-2024-suppression-internet-aggression
- better-internet-for-kids.europa.eu/en/knowledge-hub/hungary-policy-monitor-country-profile
- freedomhouse.org/country/hungary/freedom-net/2025
- freedomhouse.org/country/hungary/freedom-net/2024
- digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/node/12432/printable/pdf
- en.hatter.hu/what-we-do/legal-aid/significant-cases/the-so-called-child-protection
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Next topicOrientation, not legal advice: verify against the primary sources linked above. Last verified 24 May 2026. Methodology & how to cite · State of Technology Regulation 2026