The Hungarian government says it will continue to act against what it calls unjustified price increases, insisting it stands with citizens rather than ‘profit-seeking multinationals’. To protect families and pensioners, the cabinet will extend its price-margin reduction rules until 28 February 2026 and widen them to cover 14 more food categories starting from 1 December, the Ministry for National Economy announced on Thursday. The amendments will be published in the Hungarian Gazette later in the evening.
According to the ministry, the margin-cutting measures have produced ‘lasting and meaningful’ price decreases since their introduction. Drugstore items affected by the policy have become more than 27 per cent cheaper on average, while food products have dropped by around 20 per cent.
To reinforce consumer protection, the government amended two existing regulations: one concerning lower food prices (42/2025) and another targeting reductions in drugstore product prices (93/2025).
From 1 December, the food-related measures will also apply to the following 14 items: beef sirloin, beef topside, pork liver and liver pâté, semi-hard cheese, cheese spreads, apples, pears, plums, grapes, cabbage, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, and baby food.
The ministry stressed that the fight against unjustified price hikes will continue across all sectors. It noted that the government has already secured voluntary price-limiting commitments from banks, insurance companies, telecom operators and pharmaceutical firms.
Officials argue that the government’s family-friendly tax policies, support for pensioners and price-reduction measures together ensure that more money remains in the pockets of Hungarian households—boosting consumer demand and, in turn, strengthening economic growth.
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