Gas prices for the average Hungarian household will rise Ft 750-1,350 a month next year depending on per-head income level, Figyelőnet reports. The increase will be Ft 5 per cubic meter (5%) for around 80% of homes using gas, while the remaining 20% will have to pay Ft 9 (9%) extra from January 1.

Middle-income families with average per person income between Ft 71,150 and Ft 99,611 will be worst off as they will have to dig deeper into their pockets. In addition, households will also have to cope with electricity price hikes of up to 10%.

A 60-sqm apartment uses about 1,800 cubic meters of gas a year, which will translate into a Ft 9,000 annual cost increase in the wake of the rise.

According to Economy Ministry estimates, some 1.7 million households currently receive no price support on gas, and 1.3 million homes will still have to pay a reduced rate of Ft 66 or Ft 73 next year, instead of the current regular price of Ft 101.

Forms required to apply for price support are available for new applicants at regional offices and local town halls, or are downloadable over the internet, while those who took advantage of the subsidy this year will receive the application forms by mail.