The Polish taxpayer funds fuel for neighbors? The government is threatening Germany with fueling limits
2026-03-31 18:57, updated 2026-03-31 19:45
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2026-03-31 18:57
update
2026-03-31 19:45
If German drivers buy so much fuel at Polish stations that it threatens to interrupt the supply, the government will be able to introduce refueling limits, said Energy Minister Miłosz Motyka on Tuesday. He noted that the situation at gas stations in border counties is constantly monitored.
Motyka assured that the government constantly monitors the number of vehicles with German license plates refueled at Polish stations. He noted that the government is prepared to counteract “fuel tourism”, i.e. the influx of foreign drivers to Poland who want to refuel with cheaper fuel. The Minister of Energy noted that the government has several solutions at its disposal that it can introduce if necessary.
One of the most functional is the introduction of refueling limits for foreigners, for example to one or two refuelings for an appropriate period – said the head of the ministry on TOK FM.
The minister emphasized that any such decision would be preceded by an analysis of the situation in individual counties.
Price ceilings and tax cuts drive demand
From Tuesday, maximum prices for petrol and diesel apply in Poland. The mechanism for calculating them was introduced by the amendment to the Act on Crude Oil Stocks. The maximum price is published daily by the Minister of Energy by way of an announcement. According to the announcement published in Monitor Polski from Monday to Tuesday, a liter of EU95 petrol cannot cost more than PLN 6.16, EU98 petrol – PLN 6.76 and diesel oil – PLN 7.60.
On Tuesday, the Minister of Energy determined that on Wednesday the maximum price for unleaded 95 petrol, including VAT, will be PLN 6.21. The price for unleaded 98 petrol with VAT will be no higher than PLN 6.81 per liter, and the maximum price for diesel oil will be PLN 7.66 per liter, including VAT.
The costs of market intervention under the microscope of the Ministry of Energy
On Tuesday, the regulation of the Minister of Finance and Economy amending the regulation on reduced rates of tax on goods and services entered into force. According to its content, 8% will apply until March 31. VAT rate on fuels.
In turn, on Monday, the regulation of the Ministry of Economy and Economy on reducing excise tax rates on certain motor fuels entered into force. The reduced excise tax rate will apply until April 15 br. In the case of gasoline, it is PLN 1,239/1,000 liters; and diesel oils and biocomponents constituting independent fuels – PLN 880/1000 liters.
According to the amendment to the Excise Duty Act published on Saturday, the minister responsible for finance will be able to temporarily reduce the rates of this fuel levy by regulation until June 30.
According to calculations by the Ministry of Finance, the excise tax reduction will cost the budget PLN 700 million per month, and the VAT reduction will cost PLN 900 million per month.
Media: “Paradise” fuel prices in Poland attracted queues of German drivers
After the regulations on maximum fuel prices came into force in Poland, German drivers drove to border gas stations, German media wrote on Tuesday. According to them, Germans benefit from “paradise” fuel prices, and there are long queues at the pumps.
Queues at Polish gas stations are described in newspapers from the border region, including: “Maerkische Oderzeitung” and “Lausitzer Rundschau”. As they note, German drivers come to towns near the border, such as Osinów Dolny and Zasieki, for cheaper fuel.
The media draw attention to the significant difference in fuel prices between Poland and Germany, reaching an average of over 60 cents per liter. “Lausitzer Rundschau” compared prices at border stations: in Zasieki, a liter of diesel cost around noon 1.78 euros, while in nearby Forst – 2.40 euros. Gasoline there cost approximately EUR 1.44 per liter compared to EUR 2.25-2.30 on the German side.
According to the tabloid “Bild”, Germans who refuel in Poland benefit from “almost heavenly prices” compared to domestic prices. At the same time – as indicated – in Warsaw there are concerns that Polish taxpayers are indirectly financing cheaper refueling for foreign drivers. The daily quoted the statement of Deputy Minister of Energy Miłosz Motyka, who did not rule out restrictions on the sale of fuels to foreigners.
“The Polish government is taking decisive actions as part of the crisis, unlike the hesitant German government,” said “Bild”.
From Tuesday, maximum fuel prices will apply in Poland, which were set by the announcement of the Minister of Energy published on Monday in Monitor Polski. A liter of 95 petrol will cost no more than PLN 6.16, 98 petrol – PLN 6.76 and diesel oil – PLN 7.60. From Tuesday, the discount is also reduced to 8%. VAT on fuel.
In turn, from Wednesday, regulations limiting fuel price increases come into force in Germany. Gas stations will be able to increase prices only once a day, at 12, while discounts will be possible at any time. Penalties of up to PLN 100,000 are provided for violating these rules. euro.
Since the end of February, when the US and Israel went to war against Iran, fuel prices in Germany often exceed 2 euros per liter.
Iwona Weidmann from Munich
gkc/mmu/
