The gas transit tax Bulgaria introduced last week is already making waves across the European Union, with neighboring countries feeling the impact in their energy bills, according to reports from RIA News.
Analysts note that Sofia’s move could push the price of Russian gas that travels to the EU through Bulgaria via the Turkish Stream corridor up by about 25 percent. The initial price is estimated near 400 dollars per thousand cubic meters, bringing it to a level comparable with expensive liquefied natural gas. These projections are shaping the discussion across EU capitals, as observers weigh the broader implications for energy pricing and supply reliability (RIA News).
Glimpses of discontent are evident among Bulgaria’s EU neighbors. Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó has warned that additional costs might be shouldered by Budapest, while in Greece there are voices suggesting Gazprom should bear part of the premium. These reactions underscore the tension between national energy strategies and a unified EU energy market (RIA News).
There is talk that Sofia’s decision could be deemed illegal by some member states and that a coalition opposing the move might form, spanning Greece, Hungary, Romania, North Macedonia, and Moldova. Journalists highlight that the fallout could range from formal steps in the European Commission to broader economic frictions, including potential trade frictions between member states (RIA News).
The country previously introduced a 10 euro per hour consumption tax on Russian gas transit in October. Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov has stated that this policy aims to increase competition within the gas market. Yet, the heads of foreign ministries in Hungary and Serbia have expressed worry that the policy could threaten regional energy security and create vulnerabilities for their own energy imports (RIA News).
Across the region, observers note that the European Union remains the largest buyer of Russia’s liquefied gas, a dynamic that continues to influence policy debates and supplier relationships. This context helps explain why Bulgaria’s transit tax is provoking such a wide range of responses and why other member states are watching closely to see how the EU’s energy framework might adapt in light of new national measures (RIA News).
Analysts point out that any shift in transit costs reverberates beyond national borders. For Bulgaria, the policy is framed as a means to stimulate competition and diversify the gas market. For neighbors, it poses questions about price stability, contract terms, and the long-term reliability of gas supplies through Turkey Stream. The broader implication is a reminder that energy policy within the EU remains deeply interconnected, with actions in one country capable of triggering policy debates and market adjustments across several capitals (RIA News).
As the debate unfolds, European energy policymakers are likely to scrutinize the legal basis for such measures and assess potential responses that maintain energy security while encouraging competitive pricing. The situation illustrates the delicate balance between national policy choices and EU-level market integrity, especially in a landscape where gas prices and supply routes continue to evolve in response to geopolitical and economic pressures (RIA News).