The National Bank of Hungary held its base interest rate unchanged at 6.25% in its May 2026 meeting, as expected by markets, to maintain benchmark borrowing cots at their lowest in four years. The hold was also signaled by the central bank earlier, preluding expectations of looser monetary policy this year. NBH Governor Varga noted the outlook for inflation is favorable due to the recent strengthening of the forint after Peter Magyar was elected Prime Minister. The outlook contrasts sharply with that of other EU countries, which are likely to see higher rates as the war in the Middle East tightened energy supply and lifted their prices. source: National Bank of Hungary

The benchmark interest rate in Hungary was last recorded at 6.25 percent. Interest Rate in Hungary averaged 10.55 percent from 1987 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 28.00 percent in January of 1995 and a record low of 0.60 percent in July of 2020. This page provides the latest reported value for - Hungary Interest Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Hungary Base Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.

The benchmark interest rate in Hungary was last recorded at 6.25 percent. Interest Rate in Hungary is expected to be 6.25 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Hungary Base Rate is projected to trend around 5.25 percent in 2027 and 4.50 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-03-24 01:00 PM Interest Rate Decision 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25%
2026-04-28 12:00 PM Interest Rate Decision 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25%
2026-05-26 12:00 PM Interest Rate Decision 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25%
2026-06-23 12:00 PM Interest Rate Decision 6.25%
2026-07-21 12:00 PM Interest Rate Decision
2026-08-25 12:00 PM Interest Rate Decision


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Cash Reserve Ratio 6.00 6.00 percent May 2026
Central Bank Balance Sheet 28856.30 29512.40 HUF Billion Apr 2026
Deposit Interest Rate 5.25 5.25 percent May 2026
Foreign Exchange Reserves 60629.70 58731.90 EUR Million Apr 2026
Interbank Rate 5.98 5.99 percent Jun 2026
Interest Rate 6.25 6.25 percent May 2026
Interest Rate 6.25 6.25 percent May 2026
Loans to Private Sector 13642.70 13669.50 HUF Billion Apr 2026
Money Supply M0 19741.70 19499.60 HUF Billion Apr 2026
Money Supply M1 37005.90 36920.30 HUF Billion Apr 2026
Money Supply M2 48153.60 48139.00 HUF Billion Apr 2026
Money Supply M3 50963.40 50809.30 HUF Billion Apr 2026


Hungary Base Rate
In Hungary, interest rates decisions are taken by the Monetary Council of the Hungarian National Bank (Magyar Nemzeti Bank). The main interest rate is the base rate.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
6.25 6.25 28.00 0.60 1987 - 2026 percent Daily
NSA

News Stream
Hungary Holds Rate as Expected
The National Bank of Hungary held its base interest rate unchanged at 6.25% in its May 2026 meeting, as expected by markets, to maintain benchmark borrowing cots at their lowest in four years. The hold was also signaled by the central bank earlier, preluding expectations of looser monetary policy this year. NBH Governor Varga noted the outlook for inflation is favorable due to the recent strengthening of the forint after Peter Magyar was elected Prime Minister. The outlook contrasts sharply with that of other EU countries, which are likely to see higher rates as the war in the Middle East tightened energy supply and lifted their prices.
2026-05-26
Hungary Keeps Monetary Policy Unchanged
The National Bank of Hungary left its benchmark rate unchanged at 6.25% in its April 2026 meeting, as widely anticipated, marking the second consecutive hold. The decision reflects a cautious stance amid rising global risks, including geopolitical tensions related to the Iranian conflict, which have lifted energy prices and increased inflation pressures. Meanwhile, uncertainty over domestic fiscal policy keeps the central bank in a wait-and-see position, with authorities awaiting concrete government plans to address a sizeable budget deficit. This was despite domestic inflation remaining below the central bank’s 3% target and the forint appreciating following the April elections. The annual inflation quickened to 1.8% in March from 1.4% in the previous month, but remained close to its lowest level in nine years.
2026-04-28
Hungary's Central Bank Holds Rates
The National Bank of Hungary held its benchmark rate at 6.25% in March 2026, as expected. The decision comes at the last policy meeting before April elections as market turmoil has left Hungary's assets among the most exposed globally. Policymakers cut rates last month after holding steady for nearly 18 months. Despite inflation falling below the central bank's target in February, upheaval in global energy markets from the Iran conflict has shifted rate expectations, with money markets pricing monetary tightening ahead. Traders are pricing potential hikes as landlocked Hungary faces an oil flow outage from Russia just as the Middle East crisis hits global supplies.
2026-03-24