"Hungary will take the excise tax on fuel up one notch again as of 1 January 2010, which will increase the tax content of gasoline and diesel. But how high the respective 59% and 54% tax content really is in European comparison?On the back of an excise tax hike due on 1 January 2010, the tax content of gasoline will go up to 59% from 57% and that of diesel oil will rise to 54% from 53%.
It this regard, it’s worth taking a look at fuel prices and the tax content of fuels in the European Union.
As you can see in the chart below, Hungary’s gasoline and diesel prices are not exceptionally high in the EU, but the excise tax hike will propel them to the middle section. Regarding Hungary’s immediate neighbours, local pumps will offer the second-highest prices after Slovakia as of next year.
From 2010, the tax content of gasoline will be higher only in one of Hungary’s neighbouring countries, Slovenia, while the tax content of diesel oil will be higher only in Slovakia and Slovenia."
Source: Portfolio Online Financial Journal
30.12.2009