New 3% loan available to businesses in the Széchenyi Card Program

Loan schemes for SMEs in Hungary

The Széchenyi Card Program comprises several favorable, state-backed loan schemes targeting small and medium-sized businesses. They were created to give a boost to SMEs by providing easily accessible loans and by letting companies spend their profits on additional growth instead of on paying the hefty interests.

As of 6 October, the interest rate of various loan schemes of the Széchenyi Card Program has been decreased to just 3%. These include both overdraft facilities (Széchenyi Kártya Folyószámlahitel MAX+, Széchenyi Turisztikai Kártya MAX+ targeting hospitality businesses) and liquidity facilities (Széchenyi Likviditási Hitel MAX+, Széchenyi Mikrohitel MAX+). At the same time, the credit limit is increased to HUF 150 million (ca. EUR 375,000) for every loan scheme that previously had a lower limit, including that targeting the smallest businesses (Széchenyi Mikrohitel MAX+).

The interest rate for investment loans has been decreased to 3% already in February 2025. Now other loan schemes followed suit to create a more uniform product range.

Regarding Széchenyi Mikrohitel MAX+, which is the most relevant for companies with less than 50 employees, another significant change is that the loan is now available for investment in the development of their shops even if they rent the shop and not own it. Meanwhile, there is now an option for repayment based on a “hockey stick” scheme, where 20% of the capital has to be repaid only at the end of the repayment period.

Conditions to meet

It is important to note that applicants will not be automatically granted the maximum amount. Banks will check the ability to pay back loans; the rule of thumb is that companies can take a loan up to 20% of their yearly revenues. Additionally, the company will need to meet the following conditions:

• At least one full and closed fiscal year
• No public debt arrears or tax debts
• No change to the owners within the last 6 months
• The company cannot be on the list of bad debtors
• The annual result cannot be negative
• Affiliated companies should not indicate risks in OPTEN (e.g. they should not be under windup or bankruptcy)
• The company should have a corporate bank account at a Hungarian bank

Huge interest among small businesses

It seems that the new, decreased interest rate has created a huge interest among small businesses. In just one week, more than 1,100 businesses submitted an application with a total worth of HUF 54 billion (EUR 135 million). It is expected that until the end of 2025, businesses will receive HUF 250 billion (EUR 625 million) in total. In 2026, the total amount of loans provided through the Széchenyi Card Program is expected to be HUF 320 billion (EUR 800 million), and with the decrease to interest rates, that will mean a HUF 60 billion (EUR 15 million) cutback to the government budget.

Business planning with Helpers Finance

If you have been considering taking a loan to give a boost to your Hungarian business, the new 3% interest rate loan schemes available in the Széchenyi Card Program can provide the extra financial thrust necessary to make your company successful in Hungary.

Helpers Finance provides accounting and financial services to small and mid-sized businesses in Hungary, focusing on supporting foreign owners who need additional guidance regarding Hungarian bureaucracy and taxes. Our services include legal and tax advisory as well as bookkeeping and payroll, so we can cover all your business needs. Should you need help, feel free to contact us anytime.