As there is no youth law in Hungary, the term 'youth' is not set in stone and is therefore defined differently in the various legislations and policy areas.

The National Youth Strategy 2009-2024 provided a strategic framework for youth policy between 2009 and 2024. However, in its final years, it was less referenced in policy-making (the last action plan referred to 2016 and 2017), and no new strategy was adopted to replace it. Consequently, the main directions are currently shaped by the background work of the ministry responsible for youth policy and, to some extent, the EU Youth Strategy.

Youth policy is mainly managed in the Ministry of Culture and Innovation where the State Secretariat for Higher Education, Vocational and Adult Education, and Youth Affairs is located. The agencies dedicated to youth policy are the Deputy State Secretariat for Youth and the Department for Young People. The Ministry for National Economy coordinates the Youth Guarantee Scheme in the State Secretariat for Employment Policy and the Department for European Union Policies and Programmes. Notably, social and public education policies are under the responsibility of the Ministry of Interior. In contrast, higher vocational and adult education belongs to the aforementioned state secretariat in the Ministry of Culture and Innovation. The Board of the Children and Youth Fund is the primary advisory body for youth issues.