German petrol prices rise faster than EU peers after new price rule
Petrol prices in Germany have risen more sharply than in neighbouring EU countries in recent days, according to European Commission data as of Wednesday afternoon.
Between March 30 and April 6, the price of petrol in Germany increased by around 11 euro cents (12 US cents) per litre, while prices in most neighbouring countries rose only by a few cents. Denmark recorded a similarly strong increase of about 9 cents, while prices in Poland and Austria declined due to government measures.
The period covered by the data largely overlaps with the introduction of Germany’s new “12 pm rule,” under which petrol stations are allowed to raise prices only once per day, while reductions remain unrestricted.
Critics of the policy, modelled on Austria’s system, had warned it could push prices higher rather than lower. They argued that fuel retailers might raise prices more sharply at midday in anticipation of being unable to increase them later.
The ADAC motorists’ association reported price jumps of more than 10 cents on average nationwide in the first days after the rule took effect.
It remains unclear whether the stronger price increase in Germany is directly linked to the measure or whether it will persist. At the start of the Iran war, European Commission data had also initially shown a particularly sharp increase in Germany, which, however, normalized in the following weeks.
A spokesman for the Economy Ministry said on Wednesday, one week after the rule’s introduction, that it was too early to draw firm conclusions.
The effect so far appears limited to petrol. Diesel prices also rose during the period, but Germany did not stand out compared with other countries, excluding those with new price-control measures such as Poland and Austria.
