Hungarian MPs are required to submit asset declarations, but the system relies on self-reporting with no independent verification. There are no real consequences for misreporting or omitting information. MPs can also update their declarations retroactively if issues are pointed out, avoiding repercussions.

While MPs must declare their own assets, family members' wealth is not scrutinised. NGOs and journalists regularly expose inconsistencies in declarations, but these findings rarely lead to official action. Opposition parties, which once closely examined these declarations, no longer treat them as a major issue.

Cabinet chief Antal Rogan increased his financial assets by HUF456mn (€1.12mn) last year, while Prime Minister Viktor Orban has seen the value of his liquid assets melt down to just a couple of million forints, despite the three-fold increase in his salary since 2021, according to the annual declarations submitted by MPs by the end of the January 31 deadline.

Antal Rogan received HUF456mn in proceeds from Mobilsign Ltd, through a controversial patent deal. The company, co-owned by Hungary’s propaganda minister, paid HUF1.77bn for the rights to a digital signature technology, which Rogan allegedly co-developed.

The payments have raised serious concerns, as Mobilsign consistently pays Rogan more than its own taxable profits or payroll costs, raising questions about the true nature of the transactions. The exact role of the company and how the technology is monetised remain unclear.

Critics argue this could be a channel for unaccountable financial gains. The lack of proper oversight in Hungary's wealth declaration system makes it difficult to verify the legitimacy of these transactions.

Rogan declared HUF500mn in government bonds and HUF109mn in savings accounts. His bank accounts remain active, and he is expected to continue receiving his ministerial salary as usual, despite being sanctioned by the US last month, local media writes.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s latest asset declaration reveals that his savings held in a joint bank account with his wife were halved to HUF5mn last year, despite earning a gross monthly salary of HUF6.5mn – a three-fold increase since 2021.

In past asset declarations, the prime minister often reported little or zero savings. Hungary’s long-time leader has previously stated: "I have never been a wealthy man, I am not now, and I never will be." However, records indicate that his family and inner circle have accumulated vast fortunes since Fidesz came to power in 2010.

Orban's childhood friend Lorinc Meszaros has gone from being a small-town gas fitter to a business tycoon, amassing an estimated fortune of HUF1 trillion, the equivalent of two years of revenue for Budapest. Orban owns a property in his home village of Felcsut and one in Budapest’s upscale district, co-owned with his wife.

The leftist opposition party, Democratic Coalition (DK), led by former PM Ferenc Gyurcsany, launched a parliamentary investigation into the ownership of an opulent mansion close to Felcsut, allegedly linked to Orban's family. However, their request was dismissed due to a "lack of evidence."

The Hatvanpuszta mansion, sprawling over 13 hectares and comprising multiple buildings, is officially owned by the prime minister’s father, but investigative reports suggest that Orban uses it for government meetings and hosts politicians and business figures. The HUF11.5bn estate is highly secured, with drones reportedly jammed in its airspace and guards patrolling the area to prevent photography or investigation.

Last year, opposition leader Peter Magyar challenged the prime minister to disclose his family’s assets, including properties like Hatvanpuszta, but the prime minister dismissed these concerns, claiming his financial records have always been public and that he follows existing legal requirements. However, family members’ declarations remain classified under Hungarian law.

"The asset declaration system in Hungary is an insult to the Hungarian people," Magyar posted on social media on Saturday. He added that the Prime Minister conveniently forgot to mention the billions linked to his family held in Swiss, Singaporean and South American bank accounts.

The Tisza Party, if elected in 2026, will completely overhaul the system and carry out wealth audits covering the past 20 years for all high-ranking politicians and their families. Any unexplained wealth would be taxed, with enforcement measures in place. Only those who can account for their assets over two decades would be eligible to serve in the new government, according to Magyar.