Drivers from neighboring countries now face higher fuel bills at Slovak pumps, with new limits on tank refills and purchases.
From Monday, Slovak gas stations have introduced a double tariff on diesel fuel: drivers with foreign-registered plates will pay more for the same amount of fuel than drivers registered in Slovakia.
According to the European Commission, the price for a car with a foreign plate stands at 1.826 euros per liter of diesel fuel. This contextual figure explains the difference between national tariffs and the average price of diesel fuel in neighboring countries – the Czech Republic, Poland, and Austria. According to this information, at the beginning of last week diesel in Slovakia was roughly one-sixth lower than the current tariff for foreign-registered vehicles.
How it works in practice: at the gas station, the price for a vehicle with foreign registration is displayed on the board. Then a station attendant applies the discount to the payment for the driver registered in Slovakia.
Restrictions on the sale of diesel fuel
The government has introduced 30-day limits on the total volume of diesel fuel sold and financial caps on purchases.
Since last Thursday, restrictions on retail sales have also been introduced: drivers may only refuel the vehicle’s fuel tank and one canister with a maximum volume of 10 liters. The total amount of the purchase per fueling must not exceed 400 euros. The restrictions do not apply to official security and rescue vehicles, the army, as well as to agricultural and construction machinery.
Reactions and Context
Truck operators criticized the new rules, noting that the 10-liter limit often does not allow fueling a significant portion of a truck’s tank. Meanwhile Slovnaft, the largest fuel seller, raised the price of diesel.
The Slovak Association of the Fuel Industry and Trade warns that such actions may conflict with European Union law and calls for an assessment of their impact on the economy and logistics.
Prime Minister Fico said he expects limited intervention from the European Commission, as the dual prices will be in effect in the country for about thirty days.
Context and Conclusion
Following a sharp rise in global oil prices, Slovakia has faced slower growth in fuel costs compared with some other EU countries. The government says the country has been in an energy crisis since mid-February, and Slovnaft has raised diesel prices, increasing pressure on the market.
The Slovak Association of the Fuel Industry and Trade stresses that the restrictions may conflict with European Union law, and calls for assessing their impact on the economy and logistics. Prime Minister Fico adds that these temporary measures are intended to quickly address supply problems, not create long-term regulation. However, the government emphasizes: the goal is to stabilize fuel supplies during the crisis and return the market to normal operation as soon as the situation in the oil market becomes more predictable.