Refuelling in Hungary? Fuel is cheaper in almost all neighbouring countries
In January, Mol will increase the price of fuel in two instalments by a total of HUF 41, to take account of the increased excise duty. According to a report by Világgazdaság, even with the first increase introduced on 1 January (which is HUF 20), it is already more expensive to fill up in Hungary than in practically any other neighbouring country.
As we reported before, Mol will implement the increase in excise duty on fuel in two steps, with the HUF 20 change on 1 January followed by a HUF 21 price change on 15 January. After that, domestic petrol and diesel prices will be among the highest in the region. According to the report of Világgazdaság, even now, after the first price increase, fuel prices are already higher in Hungary than in most neighbouring countries.
According to Holtankoljak, the lowest price of petrol in Hungary on 4 January was HUF 523 (EUR 1.38) per litre, and HUF 555 (EUR 1.46) for diesel. The average prices are HUF 561 (EUR 1.48) and HUF 599 (EUR 1.58). In the middle of the month, these retail prices will rise by a further HUF 21 per litre.
Refuelling in Croatia
In Croatia, the government reduced the excise duty on fuel and capped the profit margin for traders last spring, effectively making fuel an officially priced product. Currently, a litre of standard fuel of both types costs EUR 1.4.
Thanks to the price cap, Hungarians living near the border have been regular visitors to Croatian petrol stations for some time, Világgazdaság writes. On an average tank of fuel, you can save up to HUF 3-4000 (EUR 8-11) there.
Even cheaper elsewhere
However, fuel prices are even cheaper in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Thus, while Hungarians fill up in Croatia, Croatians go to their neighbour. There, a litre of petrol costs HUF 450 (EUR 1.19) and the same amount of diesel costs HUF 460 (EUR 1.21).
Fuel in Slovenia
At about the same time as Croatia, the Slovenian government also intervened in fuel prices, using almost the same model as Zagreb, Világgazdaság reports. In Slovenia, petrol costs HUF 520 (EUR 1.37) per litre, and diesel costs HUF 560 (EUR 1.48). As a result, Hungarian cars are becoming more common at Slovenian petrol stations.
According to Világgazdaság, regional fuel prices are as follows:
Regional fuel prices
Prices in HUF (EUR)
| Petrol | Diesel | |
| Croatia | 532 (1.40) | 532 (1.40) |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 450 (1.18) | 460 (1.21) |
| Slovenia | 520 (1.36) | 560 (1.47) |
| Slovakia | 589 (1.55) | 570 (1.50) |
| Serbia | 562 (1.47) | 627 (1.65) |
| Romania | 508 (1.33) | 544 (1.43) |
Source: Világgazdaság
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