Budapest postpones heavy vehicle parking fee hikes

Budapest authorities have announced significant changes to parking regulations and fuel subsidies. The Budapest City Assembly has postponed the implementation of doubled parking fees for vehicles exceeding 2,000 kg until January 1, 2028. This measure aims to address the increasing size of vehicles, such as SUVs, while managing limited public space.

Regarding environmental incentives, the free parking privilege for green-plated vehicles is set to end in January 2027. However, a new proposal has introduced a 50 percent discount for purely electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, valid until July 1, 2030, to facilitate a gradual transition.

Separately, the Hungarian government has begun distributing fuel subsidies to approximately one million diesel car owners to offset rising fuel costs. Eligible recipients—those operating diesel vehicles with a maximum power of 110 kW—will receive a total of 20,000 HUF, distributed in four installments through December 2026. The Hungarian State Treasury is managing the payments automatically based on vehicle registration data, requiring no separate application from citizens.