Fuel prices in Germany have surged ahead of the expiration of the government’s fuel tax relief, which concludes at midnight. According to the ADAC, average prices jumped by 24 cents per liter for diesel and 20.3 cents for E10 at midday on June 30, 2026. This sharp increase prompted lines at many service stations as motorists sought to fill their tanks one last time before the tax break ends.
Why prices are rising now
The price hikes follow a trend of incremental increases over the preceding days. On Monday, the nationwide average for Super E10 reached 1.861 euros per liter, while diesel cost 1.784 euros. These prices marked the sixth consecutive daily rise for both fuel types. While the government-mandated tax reduction of 16.7 cents per liter remains in effect until the end of the day, fuel stations were not legally required to pass the full savings on to consumers.
Did You Know? The German federal government spent approximately 1.6 billion euros on the two-month fuel tax relief measure, which was introduced at the beginning of May and will not be extended.
Regulatory warnings and industry response
As the deadline approaches, the President of the Federal Cartel Office, Andreas Mundt, has warned the mineral oil industry against implementing disproportionate price hikes. Mundt stated that companies must not use the transition to justify price increases that lack a factual basis, noting that the agency will investigate any reports of such behavior. This stance aligns the Federal Cartel Office with previous assessments from the ifo Institute and the Monopolkommission, both of which reported that the fuel tax relief was not fully passed on to consumers, particularly regarding diesel.
Industry representatives have disputed these claims. Christian Küchen, the lead managing director of the industry association Fuels and Energie, rejected the accusations of overcharging. Küchen stated that members lowered prices by 17 cents per liter when the relief began and asserted that a corresponding price adjustment should be expected when the energy tax returns to its regular level on July 1.
What happens next
With the tax relief expiring at midnight, motorists may face significantly higher costs at the pump starting July 1. While the industry has signaled that price adjustments will reflect the return of the original tax rate, the Federal Cartel Office has made it clear that it will monitor the sector for any evidence of unjustified price gouging during this transition period. The ultimate impact on consumers will depend on how quickly and fully stations adjust their pricing to the reinstated tax levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the fuel tax relief end?
The tax relief, which began in early May, expires at midnight on June 30, 2026.
How much were taxes reduced during this period?
The government lowered taxes on gasoline and diesel by 16.7 cents per liter.
Are fuel stations required to pass the tax savings to customers?
No, fuel stations were not under any legal obligation to pass the full amount of the tax reduction on to consumers.
How have you experienced the volatility of fuel prices at the pump over the past two months?
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