Hungarian competition watchdog launches investigation into Airbnb

The GVH suspects that Airbnb does not properly inform and may mislead Hungarian users. As a result, the authority has launched a competition supervision proceeding against the Irish-registered company that operates the online accommodation booking platform.

Airbnb began its operations in Hungary in the early 2010s, with its Hungarian website receiving over 500,000 monthly visits between April and June 2025.

According to GVH, the investigation was initiated because Airbnb Ireland's regulations and user information available on its website and mobile application are extensive, fragmented, contradictory, and in some cases only available in English. The company likely fails to inform consumers about service conditions, particularly regarding booking requests and refunds, in accordance with professional diligence requirements.

The authority also noted that Airbnb Ireland likely fails to display the essential characteristic that accommodations can be booked on other platforms or through hosts' own online interfaces, thus

withholding significant information from consumers.

The initiation of the competition supervision proceeding does not constitute a declaration of wrongdoing. The procedure aims to clarify facts and prove the suspected infringement. The investigation period is three months, which can be extended twice by up to two months each time if justified.

GVH has been paying special attention to the online accommodation booking market in recent years, having conducted multiple investigations of market players. In 2023, the authority completed an accelerated sector inquiry into the domestic online accommodation intermediation and accommodation market, making several recommendations to strengthen market competition and protect consumers.

GVH previously launched an investigation into Airbnb Ireland in 2016, which concluded in 2018 with the acceptance of commitments. However, a follow-up investigation completed in 2021 revealed that the company had inadequately fulfilled its commitments, resulting in a HUF 40 million fine imposed by GVH.

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