Published: 2023-06-22
Hungarians who have a SZÉP-Card can now use their funds to buy groceries again until the end of December. The Hungarian government has brought back this scheme which was previously available until June 2022. Moreover, an additional HUF 200,000 has been added to the discount limit of HUF 450,000, raising it to a maximum of HUF 650,000 for the rest of the year. Let's dive into the details.
What is a SZÉP-Card?
The SZÉP-Card is a type of employee benefit card in Hungary. The card is given by employers as part of the cafeteria system and has three sub-accounts: hospitality, leisure and accommodation. Employees can use the card to pay for various services in those areas.
What changes have been introduced?
The scheme to use SZÉP-Card funds for buying cold food and groceries has been reintroduced and it will last from August 1st until December 31st, 2022. Also, the maximum discount limit has been raised from HUF 450,000 to HUF 650,000 for the remainder of the year, with an additional HUF 200,000 discount. This discount will be given as a one-time payment. Companies in the processing, warehousing, and accommodation sectors have been given new maximum electricity pricing to lower their operating costs. The government claims that this move will save businesses HUF 40 billion in operating costs.
How to Use the SZÉP-Card for Groceries
Employees who wish to take advantage of the scheme should inform their employer if they want to switch to the cafeeteria system from paying out cash or bonuses. Then, they can use their SZÉP-Card to pay for cold foods and groceries at selected supermarkets and grocery stores. Members of the selected big chains of stores started accepting the SZÉP-Card for cold food and groceries in early 2022 and will continue to do so during this scheme.
Conclusion
Hungarian employees now have the chance to save money on groceries by using their SZÉP-Card until December 31st, 2022. The government has set the discount limit to a maximum of HUF 650,000 for the rest of the year, and other measures to save businesses' operating costs have also been implemented. Companies and employees can now benefit from this unique opportunity by switching to the cafeeteria system and taking advantage of the offers available.
Questions & Answers
What is a SZÉP-Card? SZÉP-Card is a Hungarian voucher card, available for employees to get certain benefits from their employers. It can be used for accommodation, catering, and leisure purposes.
What is the recent update regarding the use of SZÉP-Card in Hungary? Starting from August, the SZÉP-Card funds can be used for purchasing groceries again in Hungary. The government has raised the previous discount limit of HUF 450,000 by an additional HUF 200,000.
What is the timeframe for using the SZÉP-Card funds for groceries in Hungary? The new rule applies until the end of December 2022.
Who can benefit from the use of SZÉP-Card funds for groceries in Hungary? All SZÉP-Card holders, including Hungarian citizens and foreign nationals who work and reside in Hungary, can use the funds for purchasing groceries in Hungary.
Can SZÉP-Card funds be used for purchasing cold groceries in Hungary? Yes, starting from August, SZÉP-Card funds can be used again for purchasing cold groceries in Hungary.
Is there a limit for using SZÉP-Card funds for groceries in Hungary? Yes, the government has set a limit of HUF 650,000 for using SZÉP-Card funds for purchasing groceries in Hungary until the end of December 2022.
Is the increased SZÉP-Card limit a one-time benefit? Yes, the extra HUF 200,000 is a one-time benefit that can be used until the end of December 2022.
Can employers take advantage of the increased SZÉP-Card limit for their employees? Yes, employers can offer the increased SZÉP-Card limit as a benefit for their employees, and it can be a way to provide extra money to their employees.
