Every customer has the right to choose: cash, credit card, or traditional cash register – consumer protection continues regular inspections

In recent months, the National Authority for Trade and Consumer Protection (NATCP) and government authorities have inspected thousands of stores to ensure compliance with regulations on cash and electronic payment options and cash register operation. The results are encouraging, but official inspections will continue throughout the rest of the year.

As of 1 July, 2025, all businesses are required to provide customers with the option to pay in cash. Government authorities have audited 200 stores so far, and the results have been positive in all cases: businesses have complied with the rule without exception.

A new regulation came into effect on July 23, 2025: every store must have at least one cash register operated by staff available to costumers. By mid-October, the authorities had inspected nearly 700 units and found deficiencies in only seven cases. To date, the authorities have imposed fines totaling 9 million forints for irregularities.

It is not a recent rule that traders must continuously provide electronic payment options from 2021 onwards, even for small purchases. This year, government agencies examined compliance with the regulation in more than 2,300 stores and found violations in only 13 cases, mainly in smaller grocery stores, markets, clothing stores, and bakeries.

The findings indicate that the vast majority of businesses operate in compliance with the law and take into account consumers' payment options. Nevertheless, the NATCP and government authorities will continue to regularly monitor compliance with the rules to ensure that consumers across the country have convenient and secure payment methods.