The country with the lowest gasoline prices in the EU restricts “petroleum tourists”

Drivers of foreign license plates are no longer able to buy petrol in Hungary at the government price threshold, which is already at the lowest level. EUBudapest announced on May 26.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s chief of staff said the measure was aimed at preventing “petrol tourists” from abusing Hungary’s fuel supplies.

Hungarian Prime Minister’s chief of staff Gergely Gulyas told reporters at a regular press conference that foreign buyers are taking advantage of Hungary’s maintenance of gas prices at 480 forints ($1.34) per liter, while Gasoline prices elsewhere in Europe are around 700-900 forints ($1.91-2.46 USD).

According to Hungarian officials, the “abuse” of low gas prices by tourists has become a real problem, threatening Hungary’s own supply.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government decision on May 26 means drivers of cars with foreign license plates are charged higher prices at Hungarian gas stations, RT notes.

Limit gas price applied by the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban from November 15, 2021 in the context of rapid inflation. Since then, Budapest has renewed the program several times, most recently at the end of April.

Along with gas prices, similar price limits are also applied by Hungary for some staples such as flour and sugar.

In addition to announcing new regulations at gas stations, Mr. Gulyas also mentioned the economic downturn caused by the war in Ukraine and warned that the world may be on the verge of a new economic crisis. The Hungarian official noted that the country has suffered a number of consequences of the hostilities, including rising fuel prices.

The Hungarian Prime Minister’s chief of staff continued to express his opposition to the sanctions imposed by the EU against the EU Russiaarguing that these sanctions are backfired, harming the Hungarian people.

Marton Nagy, Hungarian Economic Development Minister, said that Budapest’s main goal in the current context is to build a resilient economy while keeping the budget and public debt under control.

Hungary is one of the EU countries to block the 6th round of EU sanctions against Russia with basic content related to the Russian oil embargo. Budapest insists that it cannot stop using Russian gas immediately. The complete cutting Russian gas, According to Hungarian officials, will deal a heavy blow to the country’s economy.