Hungary’s outgoing government has removed expiry dates from several major price-control measures, ensuring they remain in force indefinitely and effectively handing over their future to the incoming administration led by Péter Magyar.
No expiry date: key price measures remain in place
A decree published in the latest issue of the Hungarian Gazette confirms that the government has scrapped the previously set deadlines for a range of market interventions. These include:
- The interest rate cap on consumer loans
- The margin cap on selected food and drugstore products
- The regulated fuel price system and related tax reductions
Previously, these measures were set to expire in the coming weeks or months. By removing their time limits, the outgoing cabinet has ensured continuity until the new government formally takes office, while leaving the long-term strategy in its hands.
Incoming government signals cautious phase-out
The move aligns with earlier statements from the incoming Tisza government. Its expected finance minister, András Kármán, has indicated that price caps, particularly margin controls, will be maintained in the short term to avoid a spike in inflation, according to Pénzcentrum.
In accordance with current plans, these measures would only be phased out gradually, following a pre-announced schedule designed to minimise market shocks.
Fuel prices and taxes also extended
Fuel pricing remains a particularly sensitive issue. Following talks between Péter Magyar and Zsolt Hernádi, CEO of MOL Group, it was confirmed that the regulated fuel price will stay in place for now.
The outgoing government also accepted a request to extend the reduced excise duty on fuel, originally due to expire at the end of April, until at least 30 May. This ensures temporary stability in fuel costs during the transition period.
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Political handover with economic implications
By removing expiry dates, the outgoing administration led by Viktor Orbán has effectively transferred responsibility for some of Hungary’s most impactful economic interventions to the next government.
While the measures have been central to shielding households from inflation, critics argue they distort markets and create long-term fiscal risks. The incoming leadership will now have to balance price stability with economic sustainability.
Same decree introduces new modern therapies
Alongside the economic measures, the same set of decrees also includes a significant healthcare development: the introduction of new, advanced medicines into Hungary’s public system.
The regulation expands access to modern therapies, including:
- Cancer treatments, such as new immunotherapies and targeted drugs
- Autoimmune disease therapies, including biological treatments
- Rare disease medications, for conditions such as spinal muscular atrophy
Some of these treatments, previously only available through special approval procedures, may become accessible via standard prescriptions in certain cases, improving access for patients with chronic and severe conditions, HVG reports.
The new rules are set to come into force largely from 1 June, although details on additional funding for the healthcare system were not included in the decree.
What comes next?
With the new government expected to take office in May, the country is now paying attention to how long these measures will remain in place, and how their eventual phase-out will be managed.
For now, Hungary’s price caps and fuel regulations remain in place, but their future direction will soon depend on the policy choices of the incoming Tisza administration.
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