An application platform for the subsidies – up to the forint equivalent of EUR 500,000 – will be open no later than October 20, Kutnyánszky said.

The government announced the subsidies, covering up to half of the annual increase in SMEs' gas and electricity bills, earlier in September. A condition for the support will be maintaining headcount at at least 90% of current levels until the end of 2023.

Subsidies supporting energy-saving investments at the SMEs were also announced.