The government offered to cover half of gross wages of businesses that have been hit the hardest by the pandemic as it tightened restrictions and introduced a curfew in November.

It also exempted those businesses from payroll tax, effectively subsidising two-thirds of payroll costs. The subsidies were available first to companies in the tourism and catering sectors, but expanded in March to include companies impacted by the closure of non-essential businesses to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

So far, more than 52 billion forints (EUR 143,2m) in subsidies have gone toward preserving 132,000 jobs. Companies may apply for the wage support until April 30.