Hungarian households could face a more than threefold increase in heating bills if the European Union moves forward with its proposed full ban on Russian natural gas imports, according to a new report by the Századvég Institute.
The economic think tank estimates the drastic measure would burden Hungary with €2.8 billion in additional annual costs, posing serious challenges to both the national energy infrastructure and household finances.
The Századvég report warns that a complete halt of Russian energy imports would double gas prices, fuel greater price volatility across Europe, and ultimately jeopardize Hungary’s long-standing utility bill reduction program, which currently allows Hungarian families to enjoy some of the lowest heating costs in Europe.
Currently, Hungarian households pay an average of €435 per year for heating. Without state protection, this could nearly double, but if Russian gas is banned outright, costs could skyrocket to €1,540—more than three and a half times the current amount.
“Brussels’ three highest priority objectives — arming Ukraine, accelerating EU accession, and banning Russian energy — would impose unbearable burdens on Hungarian families,” the Századvég Institute concluded.
The warning comes as the European Commission pushes a roadmap to eliminate Russian gas imports across the EU by the end of 2027. However, opposition remains firm from countries like Hungary and Slovakia, both of which are still heavily reliant on Russian energy. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has publicly stated he would oppose the ban in the European Council.
“A halt of gas supplies will cause instability. Our petrochemical plants were set up to use Russian oil for oil refining, and the shutdown may cause technological problems. I hope that our EU partners will learn about this when legal acts are adopted,” said Fico. “If it is necessary for all 27 countries to agree, we will use our veto power,” he added.
