Defence Minister: Soldiers’ wages to increase further in 2024

The ministry cited Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky as saying that wages are increasing by an average 11 percent from January 2024 but it may vary depending on the category of staff.

The government decided in 2022 to increase wages for soldiers in two steps: from September 2022 and from January 2024, he said.

The tasks of the Hungarian Army increased considerably last year, with the Russia-Ukraine and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, and the migratory wave affecting Europe making it necessary to heighten the state of alert, he added.

“These factors, and the Hungarian Army’s international roles make it necessary to further enhance the appreciation of soldiers,” he said.

The first phase of increase was an average of 26.4 percent in September 2022.

Voluntary reserve soldiers and officer candidates are also eligible for the current increase of average 11 percent, the statement added.