Energy 21 January 2026, 8:45am

We haven't had such a cold January in decades. It is at times like this that we truly appreciate the value of utility cost reductions,

the Prime Minister began in his Facebook post, adding:

But we cannot sit back and relax in this extreme cold. We need to go the extra mile with utility cost reductions, and we will. This is the most important task for today's cabinet meeting.

Hungary's gas storage facilities are emptying at an unprecedented rate, while the dynamics of refilling following the 2022 energy crisis paint a thought-provoking picture. Although Hungary began the season with substantial reserves, a high demand for refilling is anticipated in spring and summer.

There are currently no concrete details about what the 'strengthening' of utility cost reductions might entail, but it is logical to assume that some form of relief could be provided for consumption above the utility cost reduction threshold. This would benefit those in the sevenfold gas price bracket. This could take the form of an increased utility cost reduction limit or a reduction in the higher residential gas price category, but other types of assistance may also be considered.

A distinctive feature of Hungarian residential gas pricing is that the difference between the two consumption price bands is sevenfold, so it is critical whether a household qualifies for the lower tariff. For instance, if someone's consumption has been at the threshold of the band and it increases by 14% due to cold winter weather, their bill will double.

Cover photo: MTI Photo/Communications Department of the Prime Minister/Zoltán Fischer