Having recently crossed a momentous milestone — 100 years of service to the Hungarian people — this enduring international charity remains one of the country's most vital, yet quiet, beacons of social support.

A Century of Resilience and Faith

The Salvation Army’s story in Hungary began on April 26, 1924, when a small group of foreign officers stepped outside Budapest’s main train station, unfurled the Salvation Army flag, and held their very first open-air meeting.

Arriving in a nation devastated by the aftermath of World War I, their mission was simple but urgent: to combat rampant poverty, unemployment, and despair.

Operating under the timeless global motto "Soup, Soap, Salvation," the organization quickly expanded, establishing 30 corps (churches) and multiple social institutions, including night shelters, alcohol detox centers, and hostels for the destitute across Hungary.

However, the organization’s trajectory was completely halted by political turbulence. Following the communist takeover, the political authorities officially banned the Salvation Army’s activities in 1949, nationalizing its properties. Despite four decades of forced silence, faithful local officers met in secret, praying for the day they could serve openly again.

That day arrived with the fall of the regime. On April 28, 1990, the Salvation Army was formally re-established as a church in Hungary. Today, as part of the Switzerland-Austria-Hungary territory, the organization actively operates multiple congregations and vital social institutions nationwide.

How the Salvation Army Serves Hungary Today

The contemporary mission of the Salvation Army in Hungary remains entirely non-discriminatory — helping anyone who has nowhere else to turn.

Adapting to modern challenges, the organization provides:

* Homeless Care & Rehabilitation: Operating major shelters (such as the historic Dobozi Street men’s hostel) providing warm meals, hygienic facilities, and structured pathways back into society.

* Crisis Support for Families: Safe havens and mother's centers protecting abused women and their children.

* Anti-Human Trafficking: Tracing, assisting, and rehabilitating victims of modern slavery.

* Emergency & Refugee Relief: Actively providing humanitarian aid, food, and medical supplies to those affected by regional crises, including ongoing relief efforts for neighboring Ukraine.

How Expats Can Help: The Power of the 1% Tax Donation

As an expat living and working in Hungary, navigated the local tax system can sometimes feel complex. However, Hungarian law includes a unique, effortless way to support local communities at zero personal cost: the 1% tax allocation (szja 1%).

Every spring, anyone who pays income tax in Hungary has the legal right to direct 1% of their paid tax to a registered church or religious community, and an additional 1% to an approved NGO. If you do not explicitly choose a recipient, this money simply absorbs into the state budget.

By choosing the Salvation Army (Üdvhadsereg) for your 1% allocation, you are directly converting your routine tax obligation into life-changing resources for Hungary's most vulnerable populations.

Why it matters for expats:

It costs you nothing: The funds are deducted from the taxes you have already paid through your salary; it is not an out-of-pocket donation.
Direct Local Impact: Your 1% ensures that soup kitchens remain funded, shelters remain warm, and crisis rehabilitation programs continue running.
Easy to File: The process can be done in minutes online through the National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) Ügyfélkapu portal during the annual tax filing season.

Join the Mission

Beyond the 1% tax donation, expats can get involved year-round through financial donations, clothing drives, corporate partnerships, or volunteering.

"We believe that lasting change only happens when external relief meets an inner, spiritual transformation," says the Salvation Army Hungary leadership.

"For over a century, we have survived wars, closures, and political shifts because of the collective kindness of the community. We welcome the expat community to stand with us as we look toward our next century of service."

To learn more about their history, locate a congregation, or find the specific tax identification codes needed to donate your 1%, please visit the official English-language portal: www.udvhadsereg.hu/en/.

Media Contact: The Salvation Army Hungary Communications Department
Email: kozponti@udvhadsereg.hu

More:
www.udvhadsereg.hu/en/

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