Newspaper reports indicate that Hungary plans to ask the European Commission for an exemption from fuel price increases scheduled for 2023, with the note that the claim relies on sources cited by vilaggazdasag. The move reflects Hungary’s broader effort to shield consumers and businesses from sharp energy costs amid a European energy crunch that has hit households and industries alike. The central idea is to seek a temporary relief from the minimum tax rules on fuel excise, hoping to soften the impact of policy changes on everyday expenditures in the months ahead.
The message communicated by the Hungarian authorities states that Hungary has requested a postponement so it will not have to implement the minimum excise tax increase on fuel until the end of 2023, effectively delaying the imposition of higher fuel taxes. Such a postponement would give Hungary more time to manage price stability in a turbulent energy market and to assess the broader economic effects before applying higher taxes to fuel products that households and businesses rely on daily.
Should the European Commission reject the request to waive the excise tax increases, Hungary could see a shift in the fuel tax to 32.5 forints per liter, down from the current level of 120 forints per liter in some pricing bands. The difference would have a direct bearing on consumer prices at the pump, influencing transportation costs for commuters, logistics operators, and service-based sectors that depend on reliable fuel access. In either scenario, the outcome would contribute to the ongoing conversation about energy affordability and national fiscal policy within the European Union as it grapples with uneven energy pressures across member states.
Analysts note that any change in the fuel tax regime would ripple through the broader economy, potentially altering inflation trajectories, domestic demand, and competitiveness. A sustained increase in fuel costs tends to raise costs for goods and services and can slow consumer spending. Governments are balancing the short-term relief for households with longer-term revenue needs used to fund energy projects, infrastructure, and climate initiatives. The debate also highlights how Hungary navigates sanctions and EU regulatory frameworks while trying to maintain energy security during a period of global energy instability.
Historically in Hungary, authorities paused a freeze on gasoline and diesel prices in response to EU sanctions, a policy that had shielded drivers from immediate price swings. Gergely Gulyás, head of the Hungarian Prime Minister’s Office, explained that the sanctions made it difficult to maintain price stability, prompting the decision to end the price freezing practice. This shift underscores how external policy measures can directly influence domestic pricing strategies and public perception of energy affordability in Hungary and the wider region.