The Association of Independent Petrol Stations (FBSZ) is demanding compensation for losses suffered due to the fuel price cap system and a revision of the regulations, the association’s representatives said on Friday.
FBSZ said the fuel price cap system has caused Hungarian family-owned small and medium-sized enterprises operating gas stations around HUF 7.5-8bn of direct losses. They said these losses were caused by the fact that the retail and wholesale prices were fixed at the same level, meaning there was no margin between the two, while the enterprises concerned had to pay taxes and maintain their operations, the Hungarian news agency wrote.
Members of the association make up around half of all filling stations in Hungary. These filling stations contribute 30pc of the taxes paid by filling stations to the budget. Yet, they still have not received the HUF 6bn compensation for the first three months of the fuel price caps negotiated before the change of government, they said.
FBSZ also criticised the fact that the draft regulation gives the minister of economy and energy the right to decide on the official price “in a completely subjective manner, without any control”. Their aim is for the law to prescribe appropriate criteria for the introduction of the official fuel price.
The prices of petrol and diesel have been capped at HUF 595/litre and HUF 615/litre, respectively, since March.
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Legislation abolishing the state-protected fuel price comes into force on Saturday, following its publication in Friday’s issue of the Hungarian Gazette. According to the text of the law, the improvement in the international energy policy environment justifies the removal of administered price caps on fuel. While ending the official price regime, the law also empowers the minister responsible for trade policy to reintroduce regulated prices for petrol and diesel by decree at a later date.
Such intervention will be permitted in the event of a disproportionate shift in market conditions requiring state action, with due regard for the protection of consumers. The legislation stipulates that the national tax and customs authority will oversee compliance with any mandated prices. Breaches of a ministerial decree may result in fines ranging from 100,000 forints to 150 million forints. In cases of repeated violations, filling stations may be ordered to close for up to six months. The relevant provisions will take effect on the 16th day following promulgation.
Strategic petroleum reserves may be deployed on the basis of a ministerial decree. The minister may determine the purpose and schedule of their use, grant priority access to designated users essential to the functioning of the country, and set a maximum price applicable during replenishment. The utilisation of reserves already released will be governed by the regulations in force at the time the procedures were initiated.
Featured image: László Gépész, President of the Independent Petrol Stations Association (FBSZ) (L), Fidesz MP Balázs Németh (2ND-L), Board Member of the FBSZ, Gábor Egri (3RD-L) and Member of the Association, István Poczok, (4TH-L) attend a press conference held by the FBSZ at a petrol station in Inárcs, 26 June 2026. The station joined the association’s strike call and did not sell fuel on this day. The Independent Petrol Stations Association demands compensation for their losses due to the fixed fuel price and the revision of the legal regulations. Photo: MTI/Márton Kovács
