Germany has enacted a law that limits how often petrol stations can raise fuel prices: increases are now allowed only once a day, at noon. The measure, published Tuesday and modeled on an Austrian system, aims to curb sudden intraday swings and give consumers greater transparency and predictability.
Under the new rule, retailers may cut pump prices at any time but may increase them only once per day. Breaches can draw fines up to €100,000. At the same time the government expanded antitrust powers to probe and act against suspected excessive pricing.
The move responds to a sharp rise in global fuel costs after the conflict involving Iran, a shock that has pushed German petrol prices up by more than 15% since the fighting intensified. The coalition government of CDU/CSU and the Social Democrats presented the change as a practical measure to temper fast, intraday price jumps that have worried motorists.
Industry groups and experts gave cautious reactions. The motorist association ADAC and several fuel retailers said restricting the frequency of increases could reduce short-term volatility but is unlikely to alter overall price levels, which are driven by global crude markets, supply disruptions and refining costs. Economists warned that rising energy prices are feeding inflation and weighing on growth, a situation worsened by turmoil in the Middle East.
The price-frequency rule is part of a broader package of measures to address recent energy-market volatility, including stronger oversight powers for competition authorities. Officials say clearer pricing rules plus tougher enforcement against profiteering will help protect consumers. Critics argue that if prices stay high more direct action — such as fiscal relief for motorists or strategic fuel stock releases — may be required.