Poland slashes fuel prices with strict caps to ease cost-of-living crisis
Poland has introduced strict price caps on fuel to tackle rising costs. From 31 March 2026, drivers will pay no more than 6.16 złoty (€1.44) per litre for regular gasoline, 6.76 złoty (€1.58) for premium, and 7.60 złoty (€1.77) for diesel. The move, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government, aims to ease financial pressure on motorists as oil prices climb. Before the cap, Polish fuel was already cheaper than in neighbouring countries. In early March 2026, gasoline averaged around €1.35 per litre, while diesel cost about €1.42—up to 70 cents less than in Germany. By mid-month, the gap narrowed to 30-40 cents due to the Iran crisis, but Polish prices remained lower.
The new limits have triggered a rush of cross-border shoppers. On Tuesday, long queues formed at border stations as German drivers sought cheaper fuel. This 'fuel tourism' is expected to grow, especially over the Easter holiday, when commuters and lorries will add to congestion. Meanwhile, Germany has rolled out its own measure to stabilise prices. Gas stations can now raise costs only once a day, at noon. The rule targets extreme price swings and improves transparency, though it's unclear whether it will cut fuel expenses for German drivers.
Poland's price caps are set to keep fuel affordable for locals while drawing more foreign buyers. German motorists will likely continue crossing the border for savings, adding pressure to already busy checkpoints. The Easter break could worsen delays, with both fuel shoppers and holiday traffic converging at the same time.
