In Hungary, the terms electronic receipt and e-receipt are related but do not mean the same thing. An electronic receipt is a broader concept and refers to any receipt issued in electronic form rather than on paper. This may include receipts generated by computer systems, online billing platforms, or web-based solutions.

By contrast, an e-receipt has a specific legal meaning in Hungary and refers exclusively to a receipt issued by an e-cash register. An e-receipt is always created digitally and is considered authentic and valid from its creation. It cannot be issued originally on paper, although a paper copy must be provided if the customer explicitly requests one. Therefore, every e-receipt is an electronic receipt, but not every electronic receipt qualifies as an e-receipt under Hungarian law. This distinction is important because only e-receipts are linked to the new e-cash register system regulated by the VAT Act. Traditionally, Hungarian retailers were required to issue paper receipts, with electronic formats allowed only as an additional option.

Recent legislative amendments focus to gradually shift away from mandatory paper issuance. The change reflects a broader digitalization effort by the Hungarian tax authority (NAV). The goal is to modernize retail transactions while ensuring tax compliance and data security. As a result, e-receipts represent a regulated, standardized form of electronic documentation rather than a simple digital alternative. Their introduction marks a structural transformation of receipt issuance in Hungary.

E-receipts will be accessible to customers through a dedicated application, either operated directly by the Hungarian tax authority (NAV) or by another service provider approved by NAV. Strong encryption and data protection measures ensure that the tax authority, the seller, and the customer can each access only the information relevant to them, thereby safeguarding personal and commercial data.

Main requirements for e-receipts, among other, include:

1. E-receipts must be generated in electronic form by an approved e-cash register and are considered authentic and valid without printing.
2. Sellers are required to provide a printed version of the e-receipt only if the customer explicitly asks for it.
3. E-receipts may only be issued via e-cash registers that comply with Hungarian regulations and support online transmission.
4. All receipt-related data must be protected through encryption to ensure data security and prevent unauthorized access.
5. The tax authority receives transaction data but does not have access to customer identity information (i.e. limited data visibility for NAV – Hungarian Tax Authority).
6. Sellers may link receipts to customer profiles or services, such as loyalty programs, only with the customer’s explicit consent.