Thousands of lorries could plunge Budapest into total chaos today as protest kicks off – updated: video
One lorry drivers’ trade union claims the government has signed a disadvantageous agreement with several industry representatives over hikes in so-called infrastructure fees. As a result, hauliers will face much steeper charges on main roads, hitting small and medium-sized Hungarian businesses hard and indirectly triggering significant price rises — particularly in food shopping. The government, meanwhile, says it is baffled by what it calls an overblown protest involving thousands of vehicles. Officials insist the aim of the agreement is to divert lorry traffic onto motorways, a move they say was approved by all key stakeholders.
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Thousands of lorries could gridlock Budapest today
Thousands of lorries may descend on Budapest today along a pre-announced route: M3 slip road – Róbert Károly körút – Árpád Bridge – Szentendrei út – Batthyány utca – M0 motorway – Megyeri Bridge – M3 motorway – M3 slip road – Kós Károly sétány – Állatkerti körút – Heroes’ Square.
The demonstration and convoy are due to begin at 2 pm and conclude at 8 pm. Press reports warn that driving in Budapest this afternoon could become a nightmare, with widespread traffic disruption across the city. Blikk described the situation as “utter traffic mayhem”.
According to HVG, protesters are already heading towards the capital in long, winding convoys along the M3 motorway. To minimise disruption, they are keeping to the outer lane. The outlet has published a photo of one of the convoys.
In a move not seen since the last taxi protest, members of one trade body have mobilised after the government signed an agreement on 19 December with six other organisations to raise road tolls from 2026. Transport Minister János Lázár previously told Parliament’s budget committee that the goal is to channel lorry traffic onto motorways.
Can Hungarian haulers stomach the toll hikes?
Back in January, proposals were made for increases of over 50% for heavy goods vehicles on main roads, alongside a 4.3% rise on motorways. Negotiations dragged on until 19 December, when an agreement was reached: motorway toll increases would remain unchanged, main-road tolls would rise in two phases at a reduced rate of 35%, and lorries would be banned from certain main roads altogether.
Transport advocate Tibor Orosz warns this could push the price of bread to 2,000 forints. He notes that the agreement was largely concluded with Zoltán Barna, head of the Hungarian Road Hauliers Association and chief executive of haulage giant Waberer’s. The company’s owner is István Tiborcz, the son-in-law of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, as reported by Telex.
In Orosz’s view, the deal forces small and medium-sized enterprises — which he claims are being deliberately squeezed out — to take significantly longer routes between cities by using more expensive motorways. This, he argues, will sharply increase their operating costs.
Independent MP Ákos Hadházy has also raised concerns that the government could grant special permits to selected companies allowing them to use banned main roads. He claims these exemptions would favour politically connected firms, leaving smaller Hungarian businesses facing bankruptcy.
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Government baffled by the outrage
Orosz has therefore organised a large-scale lorry convoy in Budapest this afternoon — something not seen for years. He estimates that more than 2,000 heavy vehicles could travel between the M3 slip road and Heroes’ Square, paralysing traffic for hours. Police have acknowledged the demonstration and are urging motorists to remain patient.
The Ministry of Construction and Transport, however, says it does not understand the backlash. Officials emphasise that seven haulage organisations signed the agreement, dismissing Orosz’s protest as a solitary attempt to disrupt public order.
The ministry insists the policy is intended to ensure that “international transit traffic uses the dual-carriageway network as much as possible”. Minister Lázár argues this is essential to prevent freight traffic from damaging newly renovated main roads and disturbing residents.
As a concession, the government has delayed the implementation of the main-road toll increases until 1 March, rather than introducing them immediately. Orosz, however, says this delay does not address the underlying problem.
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Tisza Party stays silent
The opposition Democratic Coalition claims that haulage companies have already begun laying off drivers as a result of the toll hikes. Party leader Klára Dobrev has warned that food prices will rise, arguing that “increased tolls will end up on our shopping bills”.
The party has promised firm action after a potential change of government, though current polls place it close to the 5% parliamentary threshold.
At present, only one political force — the Tisza Party — appears capable of challenging the Orbán system. So far, it has not commented on the protest.
Update: lots of lorries heading to Budapest
Based on the following live video, lots of lorries are headed to Budapest to participate on the protest:
Check out some photos below:
Read more of our transport coverage.