Hungary was allowed a long transitional period until December 31, 2017, in order to gradually increase the excise duty on cigarettes and reach the required minimum threshold, recalled a press release on the Commission website.

Currently, the excise duty applied by Hungary remains below the EU threshold, generating distortions of competition with other Member States, and is at odds with EU health protection policy, it noted.

Common EU rules (Council Directive 2011/64/EU), which aim to ensure the proper functioning of the internal market and a high level of protection for human health, require Member States to charge an excise duty on cigarettes of at least 60% of the applicable weighted average retail price of cigarettes and not lower than EUR 90 per 1,000 cigarettes. The 60% rule does not apply if the excise duty level is at least EUR 115 euros per 1,000 cigarettes, the press release noted.

Referring Hungary to the CJEU is the third and final step in an infringement procedure launched against the country on the issue. The EC sent a letter of formal notice to Hungary on January 24, followed by a reasoned opinion on June 6. Since Hungary has not yet complied, the EC is now bringing the matter before the CJEU.

Hungary has raised the excise tax on cigarettes in three increments since September 1, 2018, recalled Hungarian news agency MTI. From July 1, 2019, the tax is HUF 19,200 per 1,000 cigarettes plus 23.5% of the retail price, but at least HUF 32,200 per 1,000 cigarettes.

The minimum excise tax on a pack of 20 cigarettes calculates as HUF 644, which compares to an average price of HUF 1,310 for a pack of Multifilter brand cigarettes, MTI noted.