Investment Policy Monitor
from

to

-
The Investment Policy Monitor provides the international investment community with up-to-date, country-specific information on recent policy developments affecting foreign direct investment (FDI).
Through its ongoing monitoring of investment policy changes, UNCTAD delivers cutting-edge and forward-looking contributions to investment policy discourse. The Monitor also supports evidence-based policymaking aimed at ensuring that foreign investment contributes to sustainable development. The Monitor also informs the analysis of global and regional investment policy trends featured in the World Investment Report, the Investment Policy Monitor publications and the joint UNCTAD-OECD Reports on G20 Investment Measures.
UNCTAD has tracked changes in national policies affecting FDI on an annual basis since 1992. Over time, the methodology has been revised to enhance the quality and consistency of reporting. The most recent revision, completed in 2024, further refined the monitoring framework and applied the updated classification to policy measures dating back to 2012.
-
UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor The UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor database compiles official measures affecting FDI adopted by United Nations Member States. These encompass measures explicitly targeting foreign investment (FDI-specific), as well as general investment measures that have a clear impact on such investment (FDI-related).
The measures are either reported directly to UNCTAD by Member States through annual surveys or identified by UNCTAD researchers through publicly accessible sources (such as government websites and specialized policy databases).
The classification of measures as more or less favourable to investors is based solely on their potential impact on investors. The type of measures included in each category are described below. This classification does not reflect any value judgement by UNCTAD on the merit or suitability of the measure.
Classification of the nature of measures
More favourable to investors
Liberalization: includes privatization; lifting of entry restrictions (e.g. opening of sectors to FDI) and entry conditions (e.g. minimum capital requirement); removal (total or partial) of FDI screening or approval mechanisms; lifting of foreign exchange restrictions; liberalization of land access.
Facilitation: includes streamlining of investment procedures (e.g. one-stop shops); greater transparency of investment-related laws and procedures (e.g. information portals); introduction by IPAs and other entities of new services to assist investors (e.g. linkages programmes, investor visa facilitation or alternative dispute resolution mechanisms).
Promotion: includes establishment of IPAs or other institutions with a remit as investment promoters and expansion of their mandate; adoption of investment promotion strategy and plans; introduction of PPPs, auctions, and concessions initiatives or framework; introduction of OFDI promotion initiatives.
Incentives: includes adoption of new tax and financial incentives schemes for investment; introduction of other incentives (e.g. citizenship by investment programmes); adoption of new SEZ-related incentives.
Other regulatory changes: includes enhancement of investor treatment and protection guarantees; easing of labour or migration regulations concerning foreign hires and key personnel; removal of operational restrictions on investment (e.g. local content requirements).
Less favourable to investors
Entry: includes introduction or tightening of entry restrictions (e.g. total or partial ban on FDI in specific sectors); introduction or tightening of entry conditions (e.g. minimum investment threshold, joint venture requirements or State participation in strategic sectors); introduction or expansion of screening mechanisms for national security.
Treatment and operation: includes introduction or expansion of foreign exchange restrictions; introduction or expansion of restrictions on foreign hires and key personnel; removal or reduction of investment incentives; introduction or expansion of post-establishment requirements for local content; reduction of guarantees for investment treatment and protection; introduction or expansion of restrictions on OFDI.
Note: Measures are verified, to the fullest extent possible, by referencing government sources. The compilation of measures is not exhaustive.
Disclaimer: the boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
Share





Latest publications

- Home >
- Investment Policy Monitor
Investment Policy Measures
13 resultsHungary
01 Jan 2024Introduces tax relief for the pharmaceutical industry
On 17 July 2023, the Government of Hungary enacted Government Decree No. 317/2023 (VII.17.), amending provisions related to extra-profit taxes in the pharmaceutical industry. This amendment introduces tax relief, enabling taxpayers [...]
Hungary
14 Dec 2023Introduces State's pre-emption right on acquisition of strategic companies involved in solar
On 14 December 2023, the Government of Hungary amended its FDI screening rules through Government Decree No. 566/2023, introducing government pre-emption rights for FDI deals involving strategic solar power plant companies. This right [...]
Hungary
28 Jul 2023Adopts State aid for investments in strategic sectors
On 21 June and 28 July 2023, the European Commission approved two State aid schemes from Hungary totalling €3.46 billion (HUF 1.316 trillion) to accelerate investments in strategic sectors and support the development of electricity [...]
Hungary
23 Dec 2022Introduces temporary changes to the FDI screening regime and expands the scope of strategic sectors
On 23 December 2022, the Government of Hungary issued Government Decree No. 561/2022, introducing temporary changes to the FDI regime until the end of the state of emergency related to the conflict in Ukraine. The amendments include [...]
Hungary
04 Jun 2022Imposes special taxes on 8 sectors generating "extra profits"
On 4 June 2022, Hungary adopted the Governmental Decree No.197/2022 that set forth the detailed rules for the special taxes imposed on 8 sectors of economy generating “extra profits”. These changes will affect the companies in the [...]
Hungary
17 Jun 2020Extends its temporary FDI screening regime
On 17 June 2020, the Act LVIII of 2020 on the temporary measures applicable to the termination of the state of emergency and the preparedness for pandemics was published. It also refers to the foreign investment review mechanisms introduced [...]
Hungary
26 May 2020Temporarily tightens FDI screening
On 26 May 2020, Governmental Decree no. 227/2020 entered into force in Hungary. It introduced a temporary foreign investment screening mechanism applicable to investors from both inside and outside the European Union and will be effective [...]
Hungary
11 Oct 2018Hungary introduces national security review of foreign investments
On 11 October 2018, the Law on the Control of Investments Detrimental to the Interests of Hungarian National Security has been published in the official Hungarian gazette. It introduces a national security-related screening mechanism [...]
Hungary
01 Jan 2017Reduction of corporate taxe rate
The Hungarian Parliament approved the Government's plan to cut the corporate tax rate to 9 per cent. The measure entered into force on 1 January 2017. [...]
Hungary
02 Nov 2015Government initiates a farmland privatization programme open to domestic citizens only
The Government has started auctioning state-owned farmland as part of its plan to privatize around two-thirds (378,000ha) of the agricultural land that is currently publicly owned with the expectation to collect up to US$1.06 billion [...]
Hungary
17 Dec 2012Extends ban on foreign farmland ownership
Hungary amended the constitution to assure that in the future only Hungarian farmers can purchase Hungarian farmland. Foreigners have been prohibited from buying farmland since Hungary's EU accession in 2004 under temporary measures. [...]
Hungary
25 May 2011Buys stakes in oil and gas company
In late May, Hungarian authorities approved the purchase of a 21 percent stake in the country's largest oil and gas company, MOL, from Surgutneftegas (Russia) for €1.88bn (US $2.6 billion). Government regulators also declined to register [...]
Hungary
01 Jan 2011Introduces institutional changes on investment promotion
The Hungarian Investment and Trade Development Agency (ITD Hungary) was founded by the Ministry of Economy and Transport (now: Ministry of National Economy) to help implement the Government’s investment and trade promotion policies. [...]
-
The Investment Policy Monitor provides the international investment community with up-to-date, country-specific information on recent policy developments affecting foreign direct investment (FDI).
Through its ongoing monitoring of investment policy changes, UNCTAD delivers cutting-edge and forward-looking contributions to investment policy discourse. The Monitor also supports evidence-based policymaking aimed at ensuring that foreign investment contributes to sustainable development. The Monitor also informs the analysis of global and regional investment policy trends featured in the World Investment Report, the Investment Policy Monitor publications and the joint UNCTAD-OECD Reports on G20 Investment Measures.
UNCTAD has tracked changes in national policies affecting FDI on an annual basis since 1992. Over time, the methodology has been revised to enhance the quality and consistency of reporting. The most recent revision, completed in 2024, further refined the monitoring framework and applied the updated classification to policy measures dating back to 2012.
-
UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor The UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor database compiles official measures affecting FDI adopted by United Nations Member States. These encompass measures explicitly targeting foreign investment (FDI-specific), as well as general investment measures that have a clear impact on such investment (FDI-related).
The measures are either reported directly to UNCTAD by Member States through annual surveys or identified by UNCTAD researchers through publicly accessible sources (such as government websites and specialized policy databases).
The classification of measures as more or less favourable to investors is based solely on their potential impact on investors. The type of measures included in each category are described below. This classification does not reflect any value judgement by UNCTAD on the merit or suitability of the measure.
Classification of the nature of measures
More favourable to investors
Liberalization: includes privatization; lifting of entry restrictions (e.g. opening of sectors to FDI) and entry conditions (e.g. minimum capital requirement); removal (total or partial) of FDI screening or approval mechanisms; lifting of foreign exchange restrictions; liberalization of land access.
Facilitation: includes streamlining of investment procedures (e.g. one-stop shops); greater transparency of investment-related laws and procedures (e.g. information portals); introduction by IPAs and other entities of new services to assist investors (e.g. linkages programmes, investor visa facilitation or alternative dispute resolution mechanisms).
Promotion: includes establishment of IPAs or other institutions with a remit as investment promoters and expansion of their mandate; adoption of investment promotion strategy and plans; introduction of PPPs, auctions, and concessions initiatives or framework; introduction of OFDI promotion initiatives.
Incentives: includes adoption of new tax and financial incentives schemes for investment; introduction of other incentives (e.g. citizenship by investment programmes); adoption of new SEZ-related incentives.
Other regulatory changes: includes enhancement of investor treatment and protection guarantees; easing of labour or migration regulations concerning foreign hires and key personnel; removal of operational restrictions on investment (e.g. local content requirements).
Less favourable to investors
Entry: includes introduction or tightening of entry restrictions (e.g. total or partial ban on FDI in specific sectors); introduction or tightening of entry conditions (e.g. minimum investment threshold, joint venture requirements or State participation in strategic sectors); introduction or expansion of screening mechanisms for national security.
Treatment and operation: includes introduction or expansion of foreign exchange restrictions; introduction or expansion of restrictions on foreign hires and key personnel; removal or reduction of investment incentives; introduction or expansion of post-establishment requirements for local content; reduction of guarantees for investment treatment and protection; introduction or expansion of restrictions on OFDI.
Note: Measures are verified, to the fullest extent possible, by referencing government sources. The compilation of measures is not exhaustive.
Disclaimer: the boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
Share





Latest publications
