The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) is actively engaged in uncovering cartels that distort markets and artificially inflate prices. Currently, the GVH is conducting proceedings in 22 different cartel cases, involving over 250 companies and examining approximately 1800 tenders.

In 2025, the GVH concluded three major cartel cases, imposing fines totaling 2.2 billion HUF, and initiated five new cases. In 2026, six additional cartel proceedings have already been launched. The GVH's efforts are crucial in preventing price-fixing agreements among competitors, which can lead to inflated costs in public procurement, ultimately burdening taxpayers.

In 2025, significant fines were imposed in major cartel cases, including one involving companies manufacturing and distributing medical devices, and another concerning a refuse truck cartel, which resulted in over 1.5 billion HUF in fines for six companies. Approximately 60% of the competition supervision fines imposed by the GVH in 2025 were related to cartel cases.

The GVH is currently handling three times the average number of ongoing cartel cases compared to competition authorities in EU member states. Each of the 22 ongoing proceedings typically involves multiple tenders, with over 1000 of the examined tenders being publicly funded.

Companies involved in cartel agreements can apply for leniency with the GVH, which requires full cooperation and the submission of all available evidence. If a company is the first to approach the GVH before any proceedings are initiated, it may be completely exempt from fines and potential exclusion from public procurement.

The international recognition of the GVH is highlighted by its role in hosting the upcoming International Competition Network (ICN) Cartel Working Group conference in Budapest in 2027, showcasing its active participation in global cartel law discussions since the ICN's establishment in 2001.