versenyjog - competition law

Antitrust and Competition in Hungary – managing risk in high stakes situations

Clients typically involve me in competition law matters in Hungary when regulatory risk, investigations or transactions require timely, structured and legally sound response, including representation before competition authorities and courts.

Typical situations include:

  • merger control (including merger clearance) in M&A transactions in Hungary
  • investigations by the Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) or the European Commission
  • dawn raids and urgent regulatory interventions
  • allegations of cartel conduct, including in public procurement procedures (bid rigging)
  • complex commercial practices involving competition or consumer protection risk, including unfair commercial practices against consumers (in particular in digital markets, including greenwashing and dark patterns)
  • private enforcement and cartel damages claims

Typical competition law scenarios in Hungary include merger clearance in acquisitions, GVH investigations, dawn raids, competition risks arising in cross-border transactions, and proceedings related to public procurement cartels and consumer protection enforcement.

Recognized by Legal 500 and Chambers Europe as part of a ranked competition law team, I have been involved in complex and high-profile antitrust matters, including merger control, cartel investigations and regulatory proceedings before the Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) and EU authorities.

This experience is combined with broader transactional and regulatory work, in particular in M&A and regulated sectors, allowing competition law issues to be addressed in their full legal and commercial context.

What matters in competition law

Competition law issues are rarely theoretical.

They are:

  • high-risk
  • time-sensitive
  • fact-driven
  • often public and reputationally sensitive

Early decisions and response strategy can significantly influence the outcome of a competition investigation or regulatory proceeding in Hungary.

My approach: control, strategy and execution

Competition law matters require more than legal knowledge. They require careful legal analysis, procedural awareness and consistent handling of authority proceedings.

My approach focuses on:

  • rapid assessment of legal and factual exposure
  • defining a defensible strategy at an early stage
  • coordinating legal, economic and internal client responses
  • maintaining control throughout investigations and proceedings

This ensures that proceedings are handled in a legally consistent and defensible manner, taking into account both procedural and substantive competition law considerations.

Experience in high-profile and complex matters

I have been involved in several competition law cases of significant public interest over the past decade and have built my practice on experience gained in complex and sensitive matters.

My work includes:

  • merger control before the Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) and the European Commission (DG COMP)
  • structuring competition aspects of cross-border M&A transactions
  • representation in cartel, abuse of dominance (where relevant) and unfair competition cases
  • dawn raid support and crisis response
  • state aid and regulatory matters
  • competition compliance and internal investigations
  • representation in proceedings related to unfair commercial practices against consumers, including digital market practices (greenwashing, dark patterns)
  • representation in cartel cases related to public procurement procedures (bid rigging)

Focus: outcome and risk management

In competition law, the key risk is not only legal exposure, but loss of control over the process.

My work focuses on:

  • managing regulatory and reputational risk
  • ensuring consistent and defensible communication with authorities
  • protecting client position during investigations and proceedings
  • aligning competition strategy with business and transactional objectives

This is particularly relevant in transactions where merger clearance or regulatory risk can directly affect timing, closing or deal value.

Why clients instruct me

  • direct partner involvement in sensitive and high-stakes matters
  • experience in complex competition proceedings and investigations
  • ability to act quickly and decisively under pressure
  • strong integration with transactional and regulatory work, including M&A and energy
  • clear, business-focused advice in legally complex situations

Call to action

If you are facing a competition law issue in Hungary, including a GVH investigation, merger control or merger clearance procedure, dawn raid situation, or consumer protection proceeding, early legal strategy and control of the process are critical.

Contact me to assess the situation, identify key risks and define the next steps before they affect your position, timing or outcome.

  • Email: gszabo@szgg.hu
  • Phone: +36 30 549 1089
  • Offices: Budapest | Cross-border mandates across the EU/CEE