Hungary imports 4.5 billion cubic meters of gas annually under long‑term contracts. It brings in an additional 3.5 billion cubic meters through the Southern Stream pipeline.
Still, the analysis finds that the real driver of low household tariffs is political decision‑making, not supply‑source pricing. Long‑term Russian contracts often follow the Dutch TTF benchmark with a delay, meaning Hungary has at times paid more for Russian gas than the market price.
The report notes that the state has repeatedly covered extreme differences, sometimes 6–8 times higher procurement costs, between wholesale and household prices.
International comparisons also show that EU countries that reduced their dependence on Russian gas did not automatically face higher hou sehold tariffs.
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