For retailers

MESZ information on the sale and labelling of energy drinks in Hungary.

In brief: In Hungary, an energy drink meeting the composition defined by law may not be sold or served to a person under 18. Retailers should always check the full current text of the legislation.

Sales by age

The restriction applies to purchasers under 18. The law does not impose the same age based sales restriction for consumers aged 18 or over.

Which drinks are covered?

Section 20/B of Government Decree 210/2009 (IX. 29.) defines the non alcoholic drinks concerned by their composition and customs tariff classification. These may include a drink containing more than 15 mg of methylxanthines per 100 ml, or a drink containing methylxanthines together with ginseng, L-arginine, inositol, glucuronolactone or taurine. The decree also lists exceptions for some customs subheadings. This summary therefore does not replace the full legal text.

Current text of Government Decree 210/2009 (IX. 29.) ↗

Labelling from 1 January 2026

Under Section 7/I of FM Decree 36/2014 (XII. 17.), a product covered by the rule may be placed on the market only under a name containing the Hungarian word “energiaital” (energy drink). The word must also appear in the principal field of vision; the x-height of the font used must be at least 3 mm.

Current text of FM Decree 36/2014 (XII. 17.) ↗

Related legislation

Act XVII of 2025 introduced the under-18 restriction and the related sanctions into the consumer protection legislation.

Act XVII of 2025 ↗

Legal notice: This is an accessible summary, not a comprehensive legal interpretation. Individual compliance questions should be resolved using the current law and, where necessary, expert advice.

Editor: Hungarian Energy Drink Association · Adapted MESZ guidance · Original publication (Hungarian)