The Hungarian Government has decided to intervene directly in the domestic fuel market by introducing price limits for petrol and diesel at filling stations across the country. Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that the measure took effect on 10 March, aiming to protect consumers from the sharp rise in global oil prices.
Under the new regulation, the maximum retail price for petrol has been set at about 1.5 euros per liter, while diesel prices are capped at roughly 1.56 euros per liter. The Government clarified that the price cap applies only to vehicles registered in Hungary, meaning foreign drivers will not be eligible for the regulated prices.
Orban explained that the surge in international oil prices has started to affect Hungary’s domestic fuel market. According to him, the rapid increase in crude prices, driven by rising tensions in the Middle East and the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, has created significant pressure on global energy costs and supply chains.
In addition to imposing fuel price limits, the Government plans to release part of Hungary’s strategic oil reserves in order to ensure stable supply during the current market volatility.
The decision comes as Hungary approaches parliamentary elections scheduled for 12 April, adding a political dimension to developments in the energy sector. The Orban administration previously implemented similar measures in late 2021, when a fuel price cap was introduced following pandemic-related disruptions that pushed oil prices higher.
That earlier policy remained in place for more than a year, but it was eventually lifted after fuel shortages began to emerge. Reduced imports and production challenges created supply constraints, forcing the Government to abandon the cap as demand continued to rise.
Alongside domestic measures, Orban has also renewed calls for changes in European energy policy. He urged the European Union to reconsider its sanctions on Russian fossil fuels, arguing that such restrictions further increase the pressure on oil and gas prices during periods of geopolitical instability.
Together with Slovakia, Hungary has continued to rely on Russian oil and gas supplies even after the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Both countries received temporary exemptions from the EU embargo on Russian crude and continued importing oil through the Druzhba pipeline, which runs across Ukrainian territory.
However, this supply route has been interrupted since 27 January following Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, creating additional uncertainty for regional fuel markets.
