Hungary Introduces Licensing Requirements for Investment Gold Trading

Hungary's Regulatory Authority for Regulated Activities (SZTFH) has published new regulations governing investment gold trading, introducing comprehensive licensing requirements for businesses operating in this sector.

Key Deadlines and RequirementsUnder the new framework published in the Hungarian Official Gazette on February 3, 2026, all investment gold trading activities will require SZTFH authorization from March 31, 2026. Traders who were operating before September 1, 2025, but fail to obtain a license by the deadline must sell their inventory to a licensed trader by December 31, 2026.

Eligibility CriteriaOnly limited liability companies or joint-stock companies may engage in investment gold trading. Key requirements include:

Minimum registered capital of HUF 150 million (approximately €375,000)A functioning supervisory boardAt least one executive with minimum three years of experience in finance, economics, or investment gold tradingEmployment of at least two staff members with economics qualificationsEmployment of at least one jewelry appraiserDemonstrable ability to source investment gold through verifiable business relationshipsCapability to identify, assess, and interpret AML and terrorism financing risksApplication ProcessLicense applications must be submitted electronically via SZTFH's iform system. The administrative fee is HUF 200,000 (approximately €500), and licenses will be issued for seven-year periods.

Licensed traders must display specified information in Hungarian on their websites and make the same information available to customers at their physical premises.