Advertisements and business signs in Hungarian only?
Pursuant to the relevant Act, in business advertising published in a press product, radio or television programme in Hungarian, or in an outdoor advertising medium, the text of the advertisement, including the slogan, must appear in Hungarian, with the exception of the name of the business, its designation or the trade mark, regardless of the method of publication.
Dr. György Zalavári, lawyer, explains that this requirement may be fulfilled by displaying both the foreign language texts and their Hungarian equivalents in the same advertisement. The Hungarian and the foreign language text must be equally noticeable and must be displayed in the same size.
This provision does not apply to advertising published in foreign language sections, supplements or special editions of press products published in Hungarian, or in, immediately before or after, radio or television programmes in foreign languages.
The name of the shop, with the exception of the name of the business, the motto and the indication of the goods sold in the shop, as well as the notices in the shop or in the shop window intended to inform consumers, must always appear in Hungarian on the shop signs. This may also be accepted if, in addition to the foreign language text, the Hungarian equivalent of the same sign is displayed in the same prominent position and in the same size.
Signs in Hungarian must be displayed in public places, public buildings, private places and buildings open to the public, which are intended to inform citizens, and on public transport vehicles, which contain notices intended to inform passengers about road safety or the use of public transport, which are not economic advertising.
In the case of original signs on areas, buildings and structures protected by legislation on the protection of cultural heritage, the display of the text in Hungarian is not compulsory.
Established foreign language expressions are not considered as foreign language text. If there is doubt as to the rootedness of a foreign language term or as to the linguistic accuracy of the Hungarian translation, the competent authority shall take as a basis the opinion of the advisory body appointed by the President of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
These requirements do not affect the rights of national minorities with regard to economic advertisements and signs in the national language in municipalities where the national minorities concerned have a national minority self-government. These provisions will be monitored by the consumer protection authority.