Card payments at K&H, including via smart devices like phones and watches, posted explosive growth in early 2026: transaction volumes up 37% year-on-year in January–February, with turnover soaring 58%, the bank reports.
Full-year 2025 saw a 29% rise in transaction numbers and over 60% jump in value, multiples of five-year-ago levels, underscoring Hungary’s digital payment evolution even as cash remains king.
Smart devices led the charge: their transaction count climbed 38% and spend 58% in Q1 2026’s first two months, mirroring 2025’s 29% volume and 60% value gains. Apple Pay dominates at K&H (62% transactions, 67% turnover), followed by Google Pay.
Digital tools proliferate as K&H boasts 80% digitally active of 1M+ customers, 700K mobile app users, but notes and coins hoard value amid uncertainty. As contactless eclipses cash at POS, expect smart payments to accelerate.
Yet Hungary’s cash habit endures. MNB data shows circulation nearing HUF 9,400 billion by end-December 2025, up from HUF 8,888 billion in 2024 and HUF 7,281 billion five years prior, driven by precautionary hoarding, wage gains and soft rates.
, turnover +58%; FY2025 full-year +29% volume/+60% value.){kind=link}