Good or bad news? Cigarette prices soar in Hungary: Smokers face steep price hikes as 2026 begins!

Hungarians preparing to light up in 2026 will face significantly higher prices at the till, as cigarette, cigar, and other tobacco products see a sharp increase from the start of the year. The hikes explain the ongoing efforts by the government to boost excise tax revenues and meet European Union minimum taxation standards.

Massive excise tax increase set for January

The government’s latest excise duty adjustments, confirmed by Chancellor Gergely Gulyás ahead of Christmas, mean there will be no delays or exemptions: tobacco products would become more expensive from 1 January 2026, Economx writes.

(1 EUR = 383 HUF)

Data from Hungary’s National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) shows that the specific excise duty on cigarettes will rise from HUF 32,300 to HUF 33,690 per thousand sticks. The minimum tax will also increase from HUF 45,200 to HUF 47,140. Meanwhile, cigarillo duties will go up from HUF 5,230 to HUF 5,450 per thousand, and fine-cut tobacco, smoke-free products, and nicotine-containing alternatives will all face HUF 1,210 per kilogram rises. Heated tobacco sticks will increase from HUF 38 to HUF 40 each, and e-liquid refill bottles from HUF 36 to HUF 38 per millilitre.

These rises form part of a multi-year government plan to increase revenues from tobacco excise duties. In 2026, the government anticipates HUF 1,796.3 billion in excise revenue, with over 32% expected from tobacco products alone.

Which cigarettes, cigars, and tobacco are affected

The Regulatory Authority for Regulated Activities (SZTFH) updated the official retail price lists for tobacco products on 31 December 2025. This update covers 36 cigarettes, 33 cigars and cigarillos, and 38 varieties of other tobacco products, effective 1 January and 5 January 2026. Find the full list of the affected products in Pénzcentrum’s article.

Among the products rising on 1 January are:

• Borkum Riff Cherry Ruby, Original, Vanilla Sungold, Black, Whisky Bronze – HUF 4,050
• Stanwell Melange, Vanilla Sungold; Alsbo Sungold, Ruby; Peterson blends – HUF 4,400–7,200
• Handelsgold and Principes cigars – HUF 640–2,400
• Premium Don Tomás cigars – HUF 11,000–13,000

From 5 January, 36 cigarettes and dozens of other products will see price increases. Popular brands affected include:

• Gauloises Blue, Red, Yellow KS – HUF 2,580
• West Red, Blue, Silver, Ice Superslims – HUF 2,370–2,480
• Davidoff PL, Superslims, and Reach lines – HUF 2,420–2,670
• Heated products and iD brand sticks – HUF 1,999 per pack

Retailers must publish price updates in advance, with lists available online and updated twice a week if necessary.

• Budapest faces growing drug problem: ‘Drugs are cheaper than booze’

Rising costs may boost black market sales

While the government aims to increase revenues, rising prices are likely to fuel the illegal tobacco market. KPMG research suggests that the Hungarian budget may have already lost EUR 175 million last year due to black market cigarette sales. Across the EU, illicit tobacco trade caused EUR 19.4 billion in lost excise revenue in 2024, marking a 16.4% increase from the previous year.