Gergely Gulyás, the Minister heading the Prime Minister's Office, said January consumption data showed an average 30 percent increase due to the extreme cold, the harshest Hungary has experienced in 15 years. Without intervention, this extra usage would have imposed an estimated HUF 50 billion burden on households nationwide. The government therefore decided to offset these costs through a targeted discount scheme covering natural gas and district heating, with an option for electricity-based heating as well.
Under the measure, households using gas or district heating will automatically receive a 30 percent price discount corresponding to the additional consumption caused by the cold weather. Those heating with electricity may also claim the discount on their power bills, provided they submit a declaration indicating that electricity is their primary heating source.
Energy Minister Csaba Lantos explained that the technical implementation is complex due to differing billing methods. Hungary has more than 2.8 million gas-heated homes, over 4 million with electric heating, and around 674,000 apartments connected to district heating systems. Consumption is measured through a mix of flat-rate payments, meter readings, and standardized consumption curves, all of which must be accounted for.
According to Minister Lantos, gas consumption follows a seasonal profile, with roughly 19 percent of annual use occurring in January and 17 percent in February. The discount will be applied proportionally through settlement bills, ensuring that households remain within the regulated “protected” consumption band if they qualified for it in 2025. Those who exceeded the band due to the cold will still receive the 30 percent discount on the excess usage.
For customers who self-report meter readings, the benefit will be applied once sufficient data is available, while district heating discounts will be passed on through condominium or building-level billing. Electricity users must declare by April 30 which meter they want the discount applied to; otherwise, it will default to gas if both are used.
Minister Gulyás emphasized that the government is also maintaining the regulated utility price system itself, rejecting proposals to raise the consumption threshold. He argued that such changes would primarily benefit high-consumption, wealthier households rather than families most affected by the cold.
Beyond energy policy, Gergely Gulyás said the government meeting also addressed international issues, including continued opposition to financing the war in Ukraine. He announced that delivery of questionnaires for a national petition begins today, allowing citizens to express their views on war funding, Ukraine’s potential EU membership, and rising energy costs.
Government spokesperson Eszter Vitályos added that payments of six months’ worth of service bonuses to armed personnel will begin on January 30, and that all applications submitted under the social firewood program by January 28 have been approved, with deliveries to be completed by March 15.