Fuel prices have increased sharply due to the war in the Middle East, according to multiple major media reports. This has widened price differences between neighboring countries, prompting motorists to travel across borders to save money. In Scandinavia, Norwegians are flocking to Sweden to fill up on cheaper fuel and groceries, while in Central Europe, German drivers are crossing into Poland. The phenomenon has led to long queues at border-area stations, local fuel shortages, and warnings from authorities about the risks of fuel smuggling.
In Norway, motorists are driving to Sweden to take advantage of lower fuel prices and reduced food VAT. According to NRK Sørlandet, Ada Hannisdal described filling up in Arendal because it is cheaper than Grimstad, saving 5 kroner per liter. On Wednesday, nine of the ten cheapest fuel pumps in Norway were located in eastern Agder, according to multiple major media reports. Truck driver Kjell Arvid Slåtteskjær told NRK Sørlandet he saved 2500 kroner by filling up in Arendal instead of Grimstad. Lena Skauen, another motorist, told NRK Sørlandet she always stops at Stoa in Arendal because it is the cheapest station from Langesund to Klepp. Over 1.3 million Norwegians have downloaded the DrivstoffAppen app, which helps find the cheapest fuel, according to multiple major media reports. The price difference between Norway and Sweden has been up to 10 kroner per liter recently, according to multiple major media reports. Sweden proposed lowering fuel taxes from May 1 to September, reducing petrol by 1 krona per liter and diesel by 40 öre per liter, according to multiple major media reports. Norway has not announced similar measures, making it more profitable to fill up in Sweden, according to multiple major media reports. Sweden also reduced food VAT and fuel taxes, making it cheaper for Norwegians to shop and fill up there, according to multiple major media reports. A test by Dagbladet showed a grocery basket at Coop Konsum in Strömstad is 373.72 NOK cheaper than before, while at Kiwi in Norway it increased by 154.67 NOK. According to Aftonbladet, Simon Hansson, an ICA store manager, described Norwegian customers increasing from 20% to 25% of customers, and sales rising 17% in April. He also noted that Norwegians often buy gluten-free products, candy, sugar, and fruits and vegetables in Sweden. According to Aftonbladet, economist Åsa Hansson warned of tax competition between Sweden and Norway due to the VAT cut. However, according to Aftonbladet, Kristine Aakvaag Arvin, a Kiwi Norway spokesperson, said they have not seen a decline in sales after Sweden's food VAT cut. Many Norwegians traveled to Strömstad on Maundy Thursday for shopping and car enthusiast gatherings, according to multiple major media reports. According to NRK, Robert Haraldsen described driving 10 hours from Ålesund to Strömstad for the car gathering. Long queues were seen at Systembolaget, grocery stores, and gas pumps in Strömstad due to Swedish tax cuts, according to multiple major media reports. According to Expressen, Anders Pedersen, a pump attendant in Strömstad, described never seeing queues like this before.
I fill up in Arendal because it is cheaper than Grimstad. I save 5 kroner per liter.
Authorities have warned about the safety and legal risks of fuel smuggling. Private individuals can legally transport 240 liters of petrol per car, but exceeding that is smuggling, according to multiple major media reports. According to NRK Østfold, Øyvind Grotterød of Statens vegvesen described transporting extra fuel in cans as dangerous in a crash, as cans can become projectiles or cause fires. According to NRK Østfold, Per Kristian Grandal of Tolletaten said they are prepared for fuel smuggling and will confiscate excess fuel and report to police.
In Central Europe, German drivers are crossing into Poland to fill up due to lower prices, causing long queues and local shortages. According to Daily Express - Main, Julia, a cashier at a Shell station in Łeknica, described about 1000 German cars arriving daily. Some Polish stations have imposed volume restrictions or banned Germans from filling jerry cans. Germany's high fuel prices are due to taxes and levies comprising over half the pump price, including ecological tax, nETS, and VAT, according to multiple major media reports. According to www.polskieradio.pl, drivers from Germany described fuel in Germany as about €0.35 per liter more expensive. Germany has high fuel prices due to taxation on carbon-intensive fuels, according to research. German newspapers publish maps showing where cross-border trips are worthwhile, according to research. Political opponents call for price caps, but Berlin only limits price increases to once per day, according to political opponents.
I saved 2500 kroner by filling up in Arendal instead of Grimstad.
Reports on the scale of German fuel tourism to Poland are contradictory. Polish authorities report fuel shortages due to German influx, with some stations closing, according to Polish authorities. On Wednesday, border-area stations saw an uptick in German drivers after Poland introduced maximum fuel prices and lower VAT, according to PAP. However, PAP also reported no signs of large-scale fuel tourism were observed. At Lubieszyn, short lines of 2-3 cars were seen; at one Orlen station, 20 German cars arrived in 15 minutes, according to PAP. In Kostrzyn nad Odrą and Słubice, station staff reported a slight increase in German customers but no heavy traffic. In Cieszyn, many Czech drivers arrived since Tuesday, with a price gap of about PLN 1 per liter, according to station workers. In Zgorzelec and Podkarpacie, residents and station employees reported no noticeable increase in foreign traffic; one station said traffic eased. Average retail prices in Poland fell: 95-octane to PLN 6.16 per liter, diesel to PLN 7.54 per liter, according to e-petrol.pl.
The Polish government has taken measures to control fuel prices. Warsaw promised tax relief on fuel before Easter, according to Warsaw. Reduced 8% VAT on fuel is in effect until April 30, according to research. A new pricing system requires retailers to stay at or below a daily maximum price set by the energy ministry, according to research. Sales above the cap are punishable by fines up to PLN 1 million, with checks by the National Revenue Administration, according to research.
I always stop at Stoa in Arendal because it is the cheapest station from Langesund to Klepp.
Uncertainties remain about the exact scale of German fuel tourism to Poland, as reports vary widely. It is unclear how long the Swedish fuel tax cuts will remain in effect, and whether Norway will implement similar measures to retain customers. The long-term impact of cross-border fuel tourism on local economies and whether any safety incidents have occurred due to fuel smuggling are also unknown.
About 1000 German cars arrive daily.
Norwegian customers have increased from 20% to 25% of our customers, and sales rose 17% in April.
There is a risk of tax competition between Sweden and Norway due to the VAT cut.
We have not seen a decline in sales after Sweden's food VAT cut.
Transporting extra fuel in cans can be dangerous in a crash, as cans can become projectiles or cause fires.
We are prepared for fuel smuggling and will confiscate excess fuel and report to police.
I drove 10 hours from Ålesund to Strömstad for the car gathering.
We have never seen queues like this before.
Fuel in Germany is about €0.35/litre more expensive.