Germany stops gas stations from raising pump prices more than once a day

2026-04-04 18:33:48

BERLIN, GERMANY - MARCH 16: A truck and a bicyclist pass by a petrol station that shows gasoline prices well over EUR 2.00 per litre on March 16, 2026 in Berlin, Germany. The German government, in response to dramatic price increases of petrol in Germany since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli military conflict with Iran, is considering new legislation to help lower the price hikes. Petrol prices have risen higher in Germany than elsewhere in Europe. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Sean Gallup | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Germany has stopped gas stations from raising pump prices more than once a day, as the Iran war and disruption to oil supply raise costs.

The country’s Federal Government introduced regulations on Wednesday that permit just one price increase a day at 12 p.m. The government said that prices had been changing up to 22 times a day, amid the sharp rise in energy costs as the U.S.-Iran war continues.

Outlining the regulation, the German government said it was intended to break the “rocket and feather effect” where “fuel prices often rose very quickly in the past when crude oil prices rose, but only fell slowly when the oil prices dropped.”

Price reductions may be made at any time. Gas companies could face fines up to 100,000 euros ($116,000) for violating the ban.

Germany is also introducing legal amendments to make it easier to crack down on powerful companies engaging in “abusive fuel price increases.”

Oil prices surged past $100 per barrel as the Strait of Hormuz — through which about 25% of the world’s oil passes — was effectively closed by Iran, triggering a massive supply disruption.

West Texas Intermediate futures last shed 2% to trade at above $98 per barrel on Wednesday, while Brent crude futures were down 2% to above $101 per barrel.

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It’s among the range of measures European countries are taking to limit the impact of rising fuel prices.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a £53 million package last month to support vulnerable families affected by high energy prices. He also outlined a cap on energy bills and an extension to fuel duty caps until September.

Denmark’s energy minister, Lars Aagaard, encouraged citizens to cut back on energy use and drive less as the country leans on its oil reserves in light of rising prices.

Austria and Hungary have also introduced limits to fuel price increases, while France has launched inspections to prevent price gouging.

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Oil supply crunch will worsen in April, IEA warns as it weighs releasing more strategic reserves

Speaking on Wednesday, the International Energy Agency’s CEO Fatih Birol warned that the energy crisis will worsen in April, after the agency’s 32 member countries agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency stockpiles to offset some of the disruption to supply.

Birol also said the IEA was considering releasing more oil reserves as a result.

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