The Hungarian road freight transport sector - 2019

The Hungarian sector has some distinctive features that make it stand out in its region. Low corporate taxation, a streamlined and minimal system of social security contributions, a system of salary bonuses that are not subject to contributions, an advantageous dispensation granted to hauliers in terms of travel allowances and a labour market strongly affected by the country’s diaspora are the main elements that differentiate the sector.

In 2019, annual vehicle mileage increased by nearly 10,000 km compared to 2013. Hungarian drivers drive nearly 128,000 km per year. At 9%, corporate tax is currently the lowest in the European Union and the VAT rate on international transport has been reduced to 0%, whereas the standard rate is set at 27%, the highest in Europe. On the other hand, Hungarian hauliers are facing a significant increase in other cost items, such as tolls (+60% since 2013), maintenance-repairs (+23%) and tyres (+87%).

When all the figures are taken into account, it emerges that the cost price of a 40-tonne Hungarian HGV operating internationally (excluding overhead costs) has remained virtually unchanged. Since the last CNR study, the cost price has increased by 5%, reaching 0.82€/km in 2019 compared with 0.80€/km in 2013.

CNR invites you to discover this new study which brings details on Hungarian RFT with operating conditions in 2019.