Finance
Slovakia Considers Higher Diesel Price for Foreigners to Battle Fuel Tourism
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 17, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 17, 2026
Quick Summary
Slovakia is exploring measures to deter cross‑border diesel purchases by foreigners—such as higher pump prices or refuelling limits—to curb “fuel tourism,” particularly along its northern border with Poland, where demand spikes have led to supply shortages.
Slovakia Eyes Raising Diesel Prices for Foreigners to Curb Border Fuel Tourism
Slovakia Considers Measures to Address Fuel Tourism and Price Disparities
Government's Response to Fuel Tourism
March 17 (Reuters) - Slovakia is considering regulation to set higher diesel prices at the fuel pumps for foreign drivers or limiting their refuelling, Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Tuesday, as the government looks to protect against fuel tourism.
Impact of Cross-Border Diesel Price Differences
Reports from Slovnaft and MOL Group
Fico said representatives from refiner Slovnaft, part of Hungary's oil and gas group MOL, had informed the government that in some northern districts next to Poland, cheaper diesel prices on the Slovak side of the border had led to a rise in purchases.
Consequences for Local Gas Stations
In some cases, Fico said, "gas stations literally dried up."
Regional and Global Context
Global Concerns Over Fuel Prices
Governments around the world fear a surge in fuel prices triggered by the Iran war.
Approaches in Neighboring Countries
Hungary has capped fuel prices, while Poland's main refiner Orlen has cut its margins to tame the impact on consumers. Slovakia has so far avoided any measures, relying on self-regulation by sellers, which can also limit volumes.
Slovakia's Pricing Strategy
Fico said the government wanted prices comparable to most neighbouring countries like Poland, and cheaper than in Austria.
(Reporting by Jason Hovet; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
Key Takeaways
- •Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said cheap diesel near the Polish border has caused stations to run out, prompting the consideration of differential pricing or volume caps for foreign drivers (Reuters).
- •Diesel in Slovakia is competitively priced in Central Europe—roughly €1.52 per litre in February 2026—making it cheaper than in Austria and comparable to or lower than neighbouring countries, fueling cross-border demand (winiety24.eu).
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Slovakia considers higher diesel price for foreigners to battle fuel tourism
1Why is Slovakia considering higher diesel prices for foreign drivers?
Slovakia may raise diesel prices for foreigners to curb fuel tourism, as cheaper Slovak diesel attracts drivers from neighboring countries.
2What impact has fuel tourism had on Slovak gas stations?
Fuel tourism has caused some gas stations near the Polish border to run dry as foreign drivers flock to Slovakia for cheaper diesel.
