Finance
Hungary mulls extension of price controls, Orban's chief of staff says
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 5, 2026
1 min readLast updated: February 5, 2026
Quick Summary
Hungary is considering extending price controls on food and drugs to curb inflation, despite European Commission's criticism, ahead of April elections.
Hungary Considers Extending Price Controls on Food and Drugs
Hungary's Price Control Policies
BUDAPEST, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Hungary's government will decide on whether to extend price margin restrictions on food and drugstore products soon, Prime Minister Viktor Orban's chief of staff said on Thursday, adding there were more arguments for the extension of the measures.
Current Price Control Measures
Orban's government has extended its price controls until the end of February as part of efforts to curb inflation, ahead of elections due on April 12.
European Commission's Stance
In December, the European Commission called on Hungary to scrap a limit set on retail price margins on food products and drugstore articles levied on non-Hungarian retailers, or risk legal action.
Implications for Upcoming Elections
(Reporting by Krisztina Than)
Key Takeaways
- •Hungary may extend price controls on food and drugs.
- •Current measures are set to expire at the end of February.
- •The European Commission has criticized Hungary's policies.
- •Upcoming elections could influence the decision.
- •Price controls aim to curb inflation in Hungary.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hungary mulls extension of price controls, Orban's chief of staff says
1What is inflation?
Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, eroding purchasing power. It is often measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
2What is the European Commission?
The European Commission is the executive branch of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding treaties, and managing the EU's day-to-day operations.
