Debrecen4U
February 17, 2026
Debrecen’s 2026 budget is characterised by economic growth and city building
The 2026 budget for Debrecen is a budget of security, development, and prosperity, fully aligned with the Debrecen2030 urban development strategy adopted in 2020 by the city council and the government, just as it has been in previous years.
After the challenges of recent years, 2026 will be a year of economic growth and city building. The budget reflects the city’s commitment to economic development, environmental protection, the development of educational institutions, and improving quality of life. Planned investments and developments will shape not only the future of Debrecen but of the entire region. This budget of security, development, and prosperity will be submitted to the Debrecen City Council by Mayor László Papp on February 26.
The 2026 budget places special emphasis on transport development, infrastructure development, institutional development, and economic development. In addition, significant funds are allocated to green space developments, community programs, cultural developments, and healthcare, thereby guaranteeing the well-being and safety of the city’s residents.
Main figures of the 2026 budget:
Total balance sheet: HUF 304.3 billion
Local tax revenues: HUF 48.3 billion
Urban operations expenditures: HUF 8.9 billion
Green space expenditures: HUF 5.9 billion
Total investment amount: HUF 135.9 billion
Suburban area developments: HUF 6.09 billion
Other city investments: HUF 129.9 billion
In 2026, the city does not plan to take out any loans. The general reserve amounts to 100 million HUF, and HUF 148.5 million is allocated to earmarked reserves.
Thanks to the successful economic development of recent years, local business tax revenues will reach a record HUF 41.5 billion. Compared to last year, the municipality expects growth in several areas.
The expected revenue from building tax is HUF 6.6 billion, tourism tax revenue is HUF 205 million, and capital revenue from property sales is HUF 7 billion.
When compiling this year’s budget, the goal was to return as much as possible to the citizens of Debrecen from the continuously growing economic revenues.
Main items of city operations
Institutional budget – HUF 58.6 billion
Wage increases – HUF 4.2 billion (of which HUF 1.3 billion from own resources)
Public catering – HUF 7.5 billion (of which HUF 2.3 billion from own resources)
Total city-level wage bill for 2026 including contributions – HUF 38 billion
Maintenance resources for green spaces and urban operations – HUF 14.8 billion (of which HUF 9.5 billion from own resources)
KER financing – HUF 530 million
Public transport financing – HUF 8.45 billion (of which HUF 3.45 billion from own resources)
Culture financing – HUF 14.2 billion (of which HUF 7.1 billion from own resources)
Sports financing – HUF 2.2 billion (HUF 2.2 billion)
We will continue the successful programs launched in 2024, such as:
the Panel Program – HUF 500 million
the Built Heritage Protection Program – HUF 220 million
the Főnix Housing Program – HUF 200 million
Institutions can calculate with a total budget of HUF 58.6 billion:
Social and child welfare institutions: HUF 8.6 billion (of which HUF 2.4 billion from own resources)
Kindergartens (excluding catering): HUF 9.8 billion HUF (of which HUF 1 billion from own resources)
Cultural institutions: HUF 7.9 billion (of which HUF 2.9 billion from own resources)
Sports-related expenditures: HUF 2.2 billion (of which HUF 2.2 billion from own resources)
Other non-profit limited companies: HUF 30.1 billion (of which HUF 19.4 billion from own resources)
The foundations of Debrecen’s future: security, development, and prosperity
The key words of the budget also designate the main strategic directions along which the proposal was compiled:
transport and urban water utility development
environmental protection and sustainability
care policy, support for young people and families
SECURITY
The safety of Debrecen’s residents will be ensured through the operation of the Environmental Monitoring System, the establishment of the traffic management unit of the City Management Center, the installation of surveillance, traffic counting and traffic monitoring camera systems, the expansion of the public lighting network, the development of smart zebra crossings and pedestrian crossings, and the installation of speed cameras. A total of HUF 2.12 billion will be spent on these measures.
DEVELOPMENT
Development is guaranteed through improvements in transport, institutions, the economy, and water utilities, with a total of HUF 107.9 billion allocated.
Transport development
In 2026, the city will allocate HUF 9.25 billion to transport development.
IMPLEMENTATIONS
Large-scale asphalt paving – at 31 locations – HUF 2.37 billion
Residential road construction – at 12 locations – HUF 2.1 billion
Sidewalk and staircase renovation program – HUF 340 million
PLANNING
Airport development
Eastern transport corridor
Widening of Kishegyesi Road to 2×2 lanes with a grade-separated railway junction
Construction of a grade-separated junction on Vértesi Road
INVESTMENTS NOT IMPLEMENTED BY THE MUNICIPALITY
Establishment of a truck parking facility in the Northwest Economic Zone
Development of the junction of Main Road 33 – Szabó Lőrinc Street – Csigekert Street
Connection of Main Road 33 and Main Road 354, with a grade-separated junction on Main Road 354
Expansion of Main Road 471 to 2×2 lanes between kilometer sections 1+000 and 2+850
Development of the Szoboszlói Road – Külsővásártér junction
Development of the junction of Main Road 48 – Budai Nagy Antal Street – Hétvezér Street
PREPARATION OF STATE INVESTMENTS
Eastern bypass
Northern relief road of Debrecen-Józsa (between the M35 motorway and Main Road 35)
Development of Main Road 35 to 2×2 lanes between Debrecen-Józsa and Main Road 354
Expansion of Main Road 4 to 2×2 lanes between Hajdúszoboszló and Debrecen
Four-lane expansion of Main Road 4 between Debrecen and Nyíregyháza
Preparation of the development of Kassai Road
Development of the railway overpass and related road network on Vágóhíd Street
Capacity expansion of the Homokkert overpass and related road network
Development of the Füredi Road – Böszörményi Road junction
Preparation of the development of the Nyíl Street section of Main Road 33
Development of Main Road 481
Four-lane expansion of Main Road 47 (between kilometer sections 5+280 and 7+630)
Junction development at kilometer section 4+440 of Main Road 47
Water utility developments
In 2026, as part of a comprehensive water utility development program, Debrecen will, among other things, build a technological wastewater treatment plant, upgrade the existing wastewater treatment plant, plan the development of infrastructure in the eastern part of the city, establish a greywater system, and modernize the wastewater network on Kolónia Street. In addition, it will develop the wastewater network in the agricultural outskirts, improve the drinking water supply in the southern part of the city, prepare plans for the development of the water tower and waterworks facilities, and plan the stormwater drainage of Nyulas. A total of HUF 61.48 billion is available for water utility development.
Institutional developments
In 2026, using city funds, further renovation of the Pallagi Road Elderly Home will take place, as well as the renovation of the Nagymacs medical office, accessibility upgrades of medical offices, and the first phase of the renovation of the Debrecen Hajdú Dance Ensemble building. A total of HUF 1.72 billion will be allocated to institutional developments.
Economic development
The development of the city’s industrial areas – the Northwest Economic Zone and the Southern Economic Zone – will continue. In connection with the industrial zones, utility infrastructure, electricity grid development, and road network planning and construction will be carried out. Protective tree planting and vegetation planting will continue in both the Southern and Northwest Economic Zones. The city will allocate HUF 57.75 billion to economic development.
PROSPERITY
Within the framework of the Caring Debrecen program, welfare and green space developments will be implemented. The tree-planting program and the modernization of schoolyards will continue. In addition, development work on playgrounds, outdoor fitness parks, sports fields, and the welfare investments of the Civaqua program will proceed. The implementation of the environmental development of Bem Square will begin. The city allocates HUF 16.78 billion for welfare measures.
Thanks to the Debrecen Primary Care and Health Promotion Institute (DAEFI), the healthcare screening program will continue, as well as the “Move, Debrecen!” program, which has already engaged more than 280,000 people.
Cultural developments
Within the framework of cultural developments, with a total amount of HUF 3.7 billion (including multi-year funding), the establishment of a light music cultural center will begin, along with the first phase of the renovation of MODEM, the main hall of Apolló Cinema, and the Kölcsey Center, as well as the design competition for the renovation of Víg Cinema and Bartók Hall.
Following the mayor’s presentation, the deputy mayors will present the draft budget in more detail in the coming days with regard to their respective areas of responsibility.
Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu
