The war in Iran has triggered a global spike in oil prices, which foreshadows a sharp rise in fuel prices worldwide. Hungary also faces an even more serious challenge, as Ukraine has not restarted the Druzhba pipeline (which supplies two-thirds of the region’s oil needs) for more than a month, and Croatia has announced that it is unwilling to allow Russian oil to pass through its Adria pipeline.
The Hungarian government has responded to these supply challenges with multiple measures. In order to restart the Druzhba pipeline, in accordance with the provisions of the Association Agreement, it turned to the European Commission. In order to put pressure on the Ukrainian leadership, it took countermeasures and restricted diesel exports, blocked the EU’s EUR 90 billion war loan and derailed the new sanctions package. To ensure supply security, it freed up part of its strategic reserves. To keep costs down for Hungarian drivers, it introduced price caps. Starting 10 March, owners of vehicles with Hungarian license plates (including private individuals, entrepreneurs and farmers) will pay no more than HUF 595 per litre for 95-octane petrol and HUF 615 per litre for diesel.
The significance of the price cap is clearly demonstrated by the fact that the overwhelming majority of Hungarian adults was already aware of the measure within days of its introduction. A new survey by Századvég found that 94% of respondents had heard about this government intervention.
The price cap provided a discount of more than HUF 20 compared to market prices right from the start, but more importantly, it eliminated the uncertainty surrounding future fuel costs. This is likely the reason for the measure’s popularity; 67% of Hungarians support the price cap.
CATI method, n = 1,000, among adult Hungarians, March 2026
