Fuel Prices — fideszcsomag.eu

EU Member State

Year Examined

~55%

Average Tax Content

2×

Fuel Price Cap

1. EU-27 Annual Average Fuel Prices

Euro-super 95 benzin — EUR/liter — █ green border: cheapest price | █ red border: cheapest net price (excl. tax) | green text: regulated price

Country	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026*	Tax%
🇦🇹 Austria	1.19	1.32	1.42	1.36	1.33	1.16	1.08	1.16	1.24	1.22	1.07	1.24	1.75	1.52	1.52	1.50	1.64	55%
🇧🇪 Belgium	1.41	1.53	1.63	1.56	1.53	1.34	1.27	1.34	1.42	1.40	1.25	1.42	1.88	1.70	1.70	1.68	1.78	59%
🇧🇬 Bulgaria	0.95	1.08	1.18	1.14	1.10	0.94	0.88	0.96	1.02	1.02	0.88	1.04	1.39	1.22	1.18	1.20	1.27	46%
🇭🇷 Croatia	1.15	1.29	1.37	1.34	1.32	1.14	1.07	1.16	1.22	1.21	1.06	1.20	1.59	1.38	1.42	1.40	1.55	52%
🇨🇾 Cyprus	1.06	1.18	1.28	1.24	1.22	1.06	0.99	1.08	1.16	1.14	1.02	1.16	1.52	1.36	1.38	1.36	1.48	49%
🇨🇿 Czech Republic	1.18	1.32	1.40	1.32	1.28	1.08	1.00	1.10	1.19	1.18	1.04	1.22	1.72	1.48	1.44	1.42	1.55	52%
🇩🇰 Denmark	1.41	1.52	1.60	1.56	1.55	1.36	1.30	1.38	1.48	1.46	1.30	1.46	2.02	1.76	1.78	1.76	1.88	58%
🇪🇪 Estonia	1.09	1.22	1.30	1.26	1.23	1.08	1.02	1.12	1.20	1.20	1.04	1.22	1.72	1.50	1.52	1.50	1.60	54%
🇫🇮 Finland	1.42	1.54	1.63	1.58	1.58	1.40	1.35	1.42	1.50	1.50	1.35	1.52	2.08	1.80	1.82	1.80	1.92	61%
🇫🇷 France	1.38	1.48	1.58	1.50	1.48	1.30	1.26	1.36	1.46	1.44	1.30	1.46	1.87	1.72	1.75	1.72	1.82	60%
🇩🇪 Germany	1.38	1.50	1.59	1.52	1.48	1.30	1.24	1.32	1.40	1.38	1.23	1.42	1.90	1.68	1.72	1.70	1.80	57%
🇬🇷 Greece	1.38	1.55	1.65	1.58	1.55	1.38	1.30	1.40	1.50	1.48	1.32	1.48	1.95	1.72	1.72	1.70	1.85	57%
🇭🇺 Hungary	1.18	1.28	1.36	1.28	1.24	1.08	0.99	1.08	1.14	1.14	1.01	1.14	1.24†	1.58	1.46	1.44	1.46	50%
🇮🇪 Ireland	1.28	1.42	1.55	1.48	1.47	1.28	1.22	1.30	1.38	1.36	1.24	1.38	1.88	1.66	1.68	1.66	1.76	57%
🇮🇹 Italy	1.38	1.54	1.72	1.64	1.60	1.46	1.38	1.44	1.52	1.50	1.34	1.52	1.93	1.76	1.78	1.76	1.86	62%
🇱🇻 Latvia	1.02	1.16	1.28	1.24	1.22	1.06	1.01	1.10	1.18	1.18	1.04	1.20	1.70	1.46	1.48	1.46	1.56	52%
🇱🇹 Lithuania	1.04	1.18	1.30	1.24	1.20	1.04	0.99	1.08	1.15	1.14	1.01	1.16	1.62	1.40	1.42	1.40	1.52	51%
🇱🇺 Luxemburg	1.12	1.24	1.32	1.26	1.22	1.06	1.00	1.08	1.15	1.14	1.02	1.16	1.64	1.42	1.42	1.40	1.50	50%
🇲🇹 Malta	1.18	1.28	1.38	1.36	1.32	1.22	1.16	1.18	1.21	1.20	1.14	1.18	1.40	1.36	1.34	1.36	1.39	45%
🇳🇱 The Netherlands	1.56	1.68	1.77	1.72	1.68	1.52	1.44	1.52	1.60	1.58	1.46	1.62	2.12	1.92	1.98	1.96	2.17	65%
🇵🇱 Poland	1.07	1.18	1.28	1.22	1.17	1.00	0.94	1.02	1.10	1.10	0.98	1.12	1.46	1.36	1.38	1.36	1.46	48%
🇵🇹 Portugal	1.35	1.48	1.56	1.48	1.48	1.30	1.28	1.36	1.44	1.42	1.28	1.42	1.88	1.66	1.68	1.66	1.76	59%
🇷🇴 Romania	1.05	1.16	1.24	1.20	1.18	1.06	0.99	1.08	1.13	1.12	0.98	1.12	1.55	1.35	1.38	1.36	1.48	48%
🇸🇰 Slovakia	1.22	1.34	1.44	1.38	1.34	1.16	1.08	1.18	1.24	1.24	1.08	1.26	1.71	1.52	1.52	1.50	1.62	55%
🇸🇮 Slovenia	1.16	1.30	1.39	1.36	1.33	1.15	1.09	1.17	1.24	1.22	1.07	1.22	1.58	1.40	1.46	1.44	1.56	53%
🇪🇸 Spain	1.16	1.28	1.37	1.32	1.30	1.14	1.08	1.16	1.24	1.22	1.08	1.22	1.72	1.50	1.52	1.50	1.60	52%
🇸🇪 Sweden	1.35	1.48	1.55	1.50	1.48	1.32	1.28	1.36	1.45	1.44	1.28	1.44	1.98	1.72	1.72	1.70	1.82	58%

Jelölések: green border = cheapest gross price in the given year | red border = cheapest net price (excl. tax) | green-red border = both coincide | green number = regulated price.
† Hungary's 2022 data reflects the annual average during the regulated price period (480 HUF/liter), which is significantly lower than the market price. * 2026: March 2026i adat (nem éves átlag). Tax %: total tax content of fuel price (excise duty + VAT), 2025 estimate. Source: European Commission Weekly Oil Bulletin, FuelsEurope, Tax Foundation.

Country	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026*
🇦🇹 Austria	325	367	410	406	409	359	338	359	396	399	382	443	682	546	585	577	637
🇧🇪 Belgium	385	426	471	465	470	415	397	415	454	458	446	508	732	611	654	646	692
🇧🇬 Bulgaria	259	301	341	340	338	291	275	297	326	333	314	372	542	438	454	462	494
🇭🇷 Croatia	314	359	396	400	406	353	334	359	390	396	378	429	619	496	546	539	602
🇨🇾 Cyprus	289	329	370	370	375	328	309	334	371	373	364	414	592	489	531	523	575
🇨🇿 Czech Republic	322	368	405	394	393	334	313	341	380	386	371	436	670	532	554	546	602
🇩🇰 Denmark	385	423	463	465	477	421	406	427	473	477	464	522	787	632	685	677	731
🇪🇪 Estonia	298	340	376	376	378	334	319	347	384	392	371	436	670	539	585	577	622
🇫🇮 Finland	388	429	471	471	486	434	422	440	480	490	482	543	810	647	700	693	746
🇫🇷 France	377	412	457	448	455	402	394	421	467	471	464	522	729	618	673	662	708
🇩🇪 Germany	377	418	460	454	455	402	388	409	448	451	439	508	740	604	662	654	700
🇬🇷 Greece	377	432	477	471	477	427	406	434	480	484	471	529	760	618	662	654	719
🇭🇺 Hungary	322	356	393	382	381	334	309	334	365	373	361	407	480†	567	562	554	568
🇮🇪 Ireland	350	395	448	442	452	396	381	402	441	445	442	493	732	596	646	639	684
🇮🇹 Italy	377	429	497	489	492	452	431	446	486	490	478	543	752	632	685	677	723
🇱🇻 Latvia	279	323	370	370	375	328	316	341	377	386	371	429	662	525	569	562	606
🇱🇹 Lithuania	284	329	376	370	369	322	309	334	368	373	360	414	631	503	546	539	591
🇱🇺 Luxemburg	306	345	382	376	375	328	313	334	368	373	364	414	639	510	546	539	583
🇲🇹 Malta	322	356	399	406	406	378	363	365	387	392	407	422	545	489	515	523	540
🇳🇱 The Netherlands	426	468	512	513	516	470	450	470	512	517	521	579	826	690	762	754	844
🇵🇱 Poland	292	329	370	364	360	309	294	316	352	360	350	400	569	489	531	523	568
🇵🇹 Portugal	369	412	451	442	455	402	400	421	461	464	457	508	732	596	646	639	684
🇷🇴 Romania	287	323	359	358	363	328	309	334	361	366	350	400	604	485	531	523	575
🇸🇰 Slovakia	333	373	416	412	412	359	338	365	396	406	385	450	666	546	585	577	630
🇸🇮 Slovenia	317	362	402	406	409	356	341	362	396	399	382	436	616	503	562	554	606
🇪🇸 Spain	317	356	396	394	400	353	338	359	396	399	385	436	670	539	585	577	622
🇸🇪 Sweden	369	412	448	448	455	409	400	421	464	471	457	515	771	618	662	654	708

Exchange rates (annual average): 2010: 273 | 2011: 279 | 2012: 289 | 2013: 298 | 2014: 308 | 2015: 310 | 2016: 313 | 2017: 309 | 2018: 320 | 2019: 327 | 2020: 357 | 2021: 357 | 2022: 390 | 2023: 359 | 2024: 385 | 2025: 385 | 2026: 389 Ft/€. † Regulated price period average. Source: MNB, ECB.

2. Hungary and Its Neighbors — Detailed Comparison

Euro-super 95, diesel — EUR/liter — █ green border: cheapest absolute price | █ red border: cheapest net price (excl. tax)

Year	🇭🇺 Hungary	🇦🇹 Austria	🇸🇰 Slovakia	🇺🇦 Ukraine*	🇷🇴 Romania	🇭🇷 Croatia	🇸🇮 Slovenia	🇷🇸 Serbia*
ORBÁN CYCLE I–II (2010–2014)
2010	1.18	1.19	1.22	0.75	1.05	1.15	1.16	1.05
2011	1.28	1.35	1.37	0.82	1.16	1.29	1.30	1.18
2012	1.36	1.42	1.44	0.92	1.24	1.37	1.39	1.26
2013	1.28	1.36	1.38	0.88	1.20	1.34	1.36	1.20
2014	1.24	1.33	1.34	0.82	1.18	1.32	1.33	1.18
ORBÁN CYCLE III (2014–2018)
2015	1.08	1.16	1.16	0.65	1.06	1.14	1.15	1.04
2016	0.99	1.08	1.08	0.60	0.99	1.07	1.09	0.98
2017	1.08	1.16	1.18	0.72	1.08	1.16	1.17	1.08
2018	1.14	1.24	1.24	0.78	1.13	1.22	1.24	1.14
ORBÁN CYCLE IV (2018–2022)
2019	1.14	1.22	1.24	0.80	1.12	1.21	1.22	1.12
2020	1.01	1.07	1.08	0.68	0.98	1.06	1.07	0.98
2021	1.14	1.24	1.26	0.85	1.12	1.20	1.22	1.14
2022	1.24†	1.75	1.71	—	1.55	1.59	1.58	1.44
ORBÁN CYCLE V (2022–2026)
2023	1.58	1.52	1.52	—	1.35	1.38	1.40	1.32
2024	1.46	1.52	1.52	—	1.38	1.42	1.46	1.34
2025	1.44	1.50	1.50	—	1.36	1.40	1.44	1.32
2026*	1.46	1.64	1.62	—	1.48	1.55	1.56	1.42

Year	🇭🇺 Hungary	🇦🇹 Austria	🇸🇰 Slovakia	🇺🇦 Ukraine*	🇷🇴 Romania	🇭🇷 Croatia	🇸🇮 Slovenia	🇷🇸 Serbia*
ORBÁN CYCLE I–II (2010–2014)
2010	1.12	1.10	1.12	0.68	0.98	1.07	1.05	1.02
2011	1.25	1.28	1.28	0.78	1.12	1.22	1.20	1.15
2012	1.34	1.35	1.36	0.88	1.22	1.30	1.32	1.24
2013	1.28	1.28	1.30	0.82	1.18	1.24	1.26	1.18
2014	1.20	1.22	1.24	0.78	1.16	1.22	1.22	1.14
ORBÁN CYCLE III (2014–2018)
2015	1.02	1.04	1.04	0.58	1.00	1.04	1.02	0.98
2016	0.96	0.99	0.98	0.55	0.94	0.99	0.99	0.95
2017	1.05	1.08	1.08	0.68	1.05	1.08	1.08	1.04
2018	1.14	1.18	1.18	0.75	1.12	1.17	1.18	1.12
ORBÁN CYCLE IV (2018–2022)
2019	1.12	1.18	1.16	0.76	1.10	1.15	1.16	1.10
2020	0.99	1.02	1.00	0.65	0.95	1.00	1.00	0.96
2021	1.14	1.22	1.20	0.82	1.14	1.16	1.18	1.12
2022	1.24†	1.78	1.70	—	1.58	1.54	1.56	1.46
ORBÁN CYCLE V (2022–2026)
2023	1.60	1.55	1.52	—	1.40	1.38	1.42	1.34
2024	1.52	1.55	1.52	—	1.42	1.44	1.48	1.38
2025	1.50	1.52	1.48	—	1.40	1.42	1.46	1.36
2026*	1.53	1.68	1.65	—	1.52	1.58	1.60	1.48

Jelölések: green border = cheapest gross price in the given year | red border = cheapest net price (excl. tax) | green-red border = both coincide | green number = regulated price. A † symbol indicates the regulated price period.
Ukrajna és Szerbia are not EU member states; their data is for reference only. Ukraine's post-2022 data is not comparable due to the war. Green color indicates when the Hungarian price was the lowest among EU neighbors (excluding Ukraine and Serbia).

3. Tax Content by Country

What percentage of the retail price is tax (excise duty + VAT) — 2025 estimates

Country	Petrol Tax %	Diesel Tax %	VAT Rate	Excise Duty (€/l)
🇳🇱 The Netherlands	65%	57%	21%	0.845
🇮🇹 Italy	62%	58%	22%	0.713
🇫🇮 Finland	61%	55%	25,5%	0.704
🇫🇷 France	60%	57%	20%	0.691
🇧🇪 Belgium	59%	56%	21%	0.600
🇩🇰 Denmark	58%	52%	25%	0.717
🇸🇪 Sweden	58%	53%	25%	0.680
🇩🇪 Germany	57%	52%	19%	0.654
🇬🇷 Greece	57%	53%	24%	0.681
🇮🇪 Ireland	57%	52%	23%	0.637
🇵🇹 Portugal	59%	55%	23%	0.643
🇦🇹 Austria	55%	51%	20%	0.531
🇸🇰 Slovakia	55%	51%	23%	0.514
🇪🇪 Estonia	54%	50%	22%	0.563
🇸🇮 Slovenia	53%	50%	22%	0.516
🇭🇷 Croatia	52%	49%	25%	0.462
🇪🇸 Spain	52%	49%	21%	0.473
🇨🇿 Czech Republic	52%	49%	21%	0.493
🇱🇻 Latvia	52%	49%	21%	0.509
🇱🇹 Lithuania	51%	48%	21%	0.466
🇭🇺 Hungary	50%	48%	27%	0.409
🇱🇺 Luxemburg	50%	47%	17%	0.462
🇨🇾 Cyprus	49%	46%	19%	0.429
🇵🇱 Poland	48%	45%	23%	0.411
🇷🇴 Romania	48%	45%	19%	0.398
🇧🇬 Bulgaria	46%	43%	20%	0.363
🇲🇹 Malta	45%	42%	18%	0.359

Note: Hungary's VAT rate (27%) is the highest in the EU. However, the excise duty (€0.409/l for petrol) is below the EU average. The combination results in a ~50% total tax burden, placing Hungary in the lower third. From March 2026, the government reduced excise duty to the EU minimum. Source: Tax Foundation, European Committee.

4. Regulated Pricing (Fuel Price Cap) — Analysis

2021–2022 and 2026: causes, effects, consequences

⛽ First Fuel Price Cap: November 15, 2021 – December 6, 2022

The government introduced a maximum price of 480 HUF/liter for both 95 petrol and diesel. The measure was in effect for 13 months and resulted in prices averaging 21.5% below the market level.

However, the coin had two sides. Consumption rose by 25% during the price cap. Foreign carriers also came to Hungary to refuel. The maintenance shutdown of MOL's Szazhalombatta refinery and the withdrawal of importers (who refused to deliver at a loss) led to severe fuel shortages by autumn 2022. Smaller, independent petrol stations were hit particularly hard; many of them were forced to close.

Economic Effects of the First Fuel Price Cap (2021–2023)

MIXED RESULTS+

For 10 months after the removal of the price cap, Hungarian petrol prices were on average 12% higher than what market models predicted — the price cap had a lasting market-distorting effect.

Short-term benefits

The price cap provided significant savings for consumers — in June 2022, the price was 40% lower than the synthetic control. By protecting the wallets of households and agriculture, the government also gained political support before the April 2022 elections.

Long-term damage

According to research published in ScienceDirect (2024), after the removal of the price cap, Hungarian petrol prices were on average 11.8% higher than the synthetic control — the largest deviation (16.4%) was in January 2023. This "rebound" was likely due to reduced competition, tacit collusion, and the decline in the number of independent gas stations.

In addition, the European Parliament investigated whether the discrimination introduced in May 2022 (market price for foreign-registered vehicles, capped price for Hungarians) was compatible with the EU principle of equal treatment.

Sources: ScienceDirect (2024), IEA, Euronews, European Parliament P-002090/2022

⛽ Second Fuel Price Cap: From March 10, 2026

Following the Iran war and the Ukrainian oil blockade, the Brent price per barrel rose to $120. The government held an emergency session and from midnight reintroduced regulated prices: petrol at a maximum of 595 HUF/liter, diesel at 615 HUF/liter. Again, applicable only to Hungarian-registered vehicles.

Simultaneously, excise duty was reduced to the EU minimum, and an export ban was introduced on crude oil, petrol and diesel. The 45-day strategic reserve was also released.

2026: Fuel Price Cap Again, but in a Different Context

RISKY+

Experts almost unanimously warn: the price cap protects in the short term but causes structural market distortions — especially in the import-dependent diesel market, where imports account for 30% even under normal conditions.

Why is the situation different in 2026?

In 2021, the post-COVID demand rebound and the Russia-Ukraine war caused the price explosion. In 2026, the Iranian conflict and the Strait of Hormuz threat triggered a global oil supply crisis. The difference: now it is not only prices that are high, but there is also a physical supply risk — making the price cap even riskier, since importers will not deliver at below-market prices.

Electoral considerations

The measure announced one month before the April 2026 elections is hard to separate from political calculation — just as in 2022. Short-term consumer protection comes at the cost of long-term market distortion, which consumers ultimately pay for through higher prices after the cap is lifted.

Sources: Telex (2026.03.10), Hungary Today, DailyNewsHungary, AP

5. What Drives Fuel Prices? — Global and European Factors

Chronological overview, 2010–2026

2010–2011

Arab Spring and Libyan Civil War

The loss of Libyan oil production (1.6 million barrels/day) drove average EU petrol prices from €1.10 to above €1.40/l. Brent peaked above $126/barrel in April 2011.

2012–2013

High oil prices, EU tax increases

Brent remained at $100–115/barrel. Several EU member states raised excise duties for budget consolidation. This was the peak period for EU petrol prices to date (average €1.55/l).

2014–2016

Oil price collapse: OPEC overproduction and US shale gas

Brent fell from $115 to below $30/barrel by early 2016. The average EU petrol price dropped to €1.05/l — the cheapest period of the 2010s. In Hungary, consumers saw prices below 300 HUF/l.

2017–2019

Gradual increase, OPEC agreement

With the OPEC+ production cut agreement, Brent rose from $55 to $85/barrel. EU petrol prices returned to the €1.30–1.50/l range. In Hungary, the forint-denominated price rose more due to forint depreciation.

2020

COVID-19 pandemic: historic collapse

Global demand literally collapsed. WTI oil briefly turned negative in April 2020. The average EU petrol price fell to €1.05/l. This was the decade's other low point.

2021

Post-COVID demand rebound

The economic restart, supply chain disruptions and OPEC+ cautious production increases brought rapid price rises. Average EU petrol prices went above €1.40/l. Hungary introduced its first price cap in November (480 HUF/l).

2022

Russia-Ukraine war: the decade's price explosion

Brent peaked above $130/barrel in March 2022. The average EU petrol price soared to €1.85/l — a historic high. Numerous member states (France, Poland, Hungary) introduced temporary tax cuts or price caps. In Hungary, the 480 HUF/l cap kept prices artificially low, but it led to fuel shortages.

2023

Normalization — Hungarian prices decouple

Global oil prices moderated (Brent $75–90/barrel). In most EU member states, prices returned to pre-cap levels. In Hungary, however, prices remained persistently higher than regional competitors after the cap was removed — partly due to the weak forint, partly due to market distortion.

2024–2025

Relative stability

Brent moved in the $70–85/barrel range. Average EU petrol prices were around €1.45–1.55/l. Hungarian prices gradually approached the regional average, but due to the forint's persistent weakness (380–395 HUF/€), prices in forint terms continued to be a tangible burden.

March 2026

Iran war and Strait of Hormuz crisis

The war against Iran and the Strait of Hormuz threat pushed Brent above $120/barrel within a single weekend. The average EU petrol price jumped to €1.65/l. Hungary, Croatia and other countries reintroduced regulated price caps.

Summary

Over the 16 years between 2010 and 2026, EU fuel prices showed enormous volatility: from lows of €1.05/l (2016, 2020) to peaks above €2.00/l (2022, 2026). Price differences between member states are primarily due to tax policy — total tax content ranges from 45% (Malta) to 65% (Netherlands).

Hungary belongs to the lower third of the EU in terms of fuel prices, thanks to relatively low excise duties — despite the VAT rate (27%) being the highest in the EU. Compared to neighboring EU member states, Hungarian petrol was typically the cheapest in the region between 2014 and 2021.

The regulated price (fuel price cap) is a double-edged sword. In the short term, it protects consumers and yields political dividends — but in the long term, it causes market distortion, fuel shortages, the collapse of small gas stations, and a persistent post-cap price premium (11–16%). That the government resorted to this tool again in 2026, ahead of yet another election, shows a recurring pattern.

Fuel prices ultimately reflect the combined result of global market forces, EU tax policy, exchange rate movements, and individual government market interventions. For Hungarian consumers, the most important factor is often not the per‑liter euro price itself, but the forint–euro exchange rate — which has weakened from 273 (in 2010) to nearly 390 (in 2026), meaning the forint has lost about 43% of its value against the euro.

Fuel Prices in the EU

1. EU-27 Annual Average Fuel Prices

2. Hungary and Its Neighbors — Detailed Comparison

3. Tax Content by Country

4. Regulated Pricing (Fuel Price Cap) — Analysis

⛽ First Fuel Price Cap: November 15, 2021 – December 6, 2022

Economic Effects of the First Fuel Price Cap (2021–2023)

Short-term benefits

Long-term damage

⛽ Second Fuel Price Cap: From March 10, 2026

2026: Fuel Price Cap Again, but in a Different Context

Why is the situation different in 2026?

Electoral considerations

5. What Drives Fuel Prices? — Global and European Factors

Arab Spring and Libyan Civil War

High oil prices, EU tax increases

Oil price collapse: OPEC overproduction and US shale gas

Gradual increase, OPEC agreement

COVID-19 pandemic: historic collapse

Post-COVID demand rebound

Russia-Ukraine war: the decade's price explosion

Normalization — Hungarian prices decouple

Relative stability

Iran war and Strait of Hormuz crisis

Summary