Inquiries submitted to the Hungarian Competition Authority
If you observe a market conduct or problem that presumably falls within the competence of the Hungarian Competition Authority, you may send your comments to us in writing in the form of a formal or informal complaint. The submission of a formal or informal complaint is free of charge. If you decide to report a conduct to the Hungarian Competition Authority, you must decide which form of complaint to use to communicate your concerns to the Authority.
Formal and informal complaints can only be submitted in writing. Nevertheless, you can inquire at the Customer Relations Section on working days at 06-1-472-8851 about substantive and procedural issues related to Act LVII of 1996 on the Prohibition of Unfair and Restrictive Market Practices (hereinafter: Competition Act) and other acts falling within the scope of competence of the Hungarian Competition Authority, as well as about the formal requirements for submitting the complaint.
How can an informal or a formal complaint be submitted to the Hungarian Competition Authority?
You may submit your complaint document by post (to the postal address Pf.: 958 Budapest H-1534), via email (a formal complaint can only be submitted by electronic means if you have an enhanced electronic signature) or on the Customer Site/Client Portal (in Hungarian: ‘Ügyfélkapu’) or in person to the staff of the Hungarian Competition Authority from Monday to Thursday from 8:30 to 16:00, and on Fridays from 8:30 to 13:30 (1-3 Riadó utca, Budapest, H-1026).
What happens to the complaint document (formal or informal complaint)?
Whether a formal or informal complaint is submitted to the Hungarian Competition Authority, the case handler shall take the necessary measures in all cases, regardless of the form of the document submitted.
Based on the document submitted to the Hungarian Competition Authority, the Hungarian Competition Authority will initiate a competition supervision proceeding if the conduct complained about falls within its competence, is likely to constitute an infringement, and where this is justified by the protection of the public interest or competition is severely affected.
If another authority has the competence to proceed in relation to the conduct subject to the complaint, the Hungarian Competition Authority shall send the informal complaint or refer the formal complaint to the authority with appropriate competence and jurisdiction and notify the complainant thereof.
If, on the basis of the available information, neither the competence of the Hungarian Competition Authority can be determined nor the referral is justified, the Hungarian Competition Authority will inform the complainant by letter or notify the complainant by injunction.
If you need more information about the management of complaints or the proceedings of the Hungarian competition Authority, this can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions section.
Finally, we draw your attention to the fact that neither a preliminary investigation nor a competition supervision proceeding is suitable for remedying a private wrong or awarding compensation. The court has jurisdiction to assess such claims.