Germany has introduced a law that restricts how often petrol stations can raise fuel prices: increases will be permitted only once per day, at noon. The measure, published on Tuesday, is modeled on a system used in Austria and is intended to reduce sudden price swings and improve transparency for consumers.
Under the new rule, petrol retailers may lower prices at any time, but may raise them only once daily. Violations can be punished with fines of up to €100,000. The government also bolstered antitrust powers to investigate and act against suspected excessive pricing.
The change comes as global fuel costs have surged amid the war involving Iran, a shock that has pushed German petrol prices up by more than 15% since the conflict intensified. The government, formed by a coalition of the center-right CDU/CSU and the Social Democrats, framed the move as a practical step to give motorists more predictability and to temper rapid, intraday price increases that have drawn public concern.
Industry groups and experts offered guarded responses. Motorist association ADAC and several fuel retailers questioned whether limiting price increases to once a day would materially curb overall price levels, arguing that the measure might reduce short-term volatility but would not change the underlying market drivers — notably global crude prices, supply disruptions and refining costs. Economists also warn that higher energy costs are feeding broader inflation and weighing on economic growth, a situation aggravated by the conflict in the Middle East.
The law is part of a package of government responses to recent energy market volatility, alongside strengthened oversight powers for competition authorities. Policymakers say the combination of clearer pricing rules and tougher enforcement against profiteering should protect consumers, while critics say more direct measures — including fiscal support or strategic stock releases — may be needed if prices remain elevated.