Photo: ru.euronews.com
The essence of the decree is that from the beginning of the third quarter, i.e. from July, the operator of the gas transportation system, FGSZ Erdgázszállító Zrt. will not be allowed to announce the purchase of capacity at border crossings with Ukraine. In its decree, the Hungarian government envisages mandatory domestic storage of another 800 million cubic meters of natural gas, which is about 10 percent of Hungary’s annual gas consumption.
Capacity reservation is the basis of international gas trade, and if this becomes impossible, transportation will also become impossible. The regulation may be lifted by July 1, but supplies will not be frozen until then. The publication notes that if the decree comes into force, it will happen in the middle of the gas storage season, which may create serious problems for Ukrainian traders and system operators.
Hungary is one of the key hubs for gas supplies to Ukraine, especially via virtual reverse. About 20% of Ukraine’s gas needs are exported through Hungary. The rest is covered by Poland, using LNG terminals where liquefied gas is returned to a gaseous state (regasification) before being piped.
In addition to Hungary and Poland, Slovakia plays an important role, historically the largest flow of reverse gas.
Ukraine received about 15% of its total gas consumption from Hungary in 2025, a figure that has increased steadily since 2022. Moldova’s left bank is also dependent on Hungarian pumping, continuing to receive gas through Moldovagaz SA through complex schemes (including supplies from European traders such as Hungary’s MET) until at least mid-2026.
