Berlin, 1 October 2026
The German government put a time-limited reduction in energy tax rates on petrol and diesel into force on Thursday in order to provide relief to consumers at the fuel pumps.
With the launch of the so-called fuel price relief package, a temporary tax relief on fuels takes effect. Energy tax rates will be lowered for a limited period, so that the price per litre at the pumps is to fall noticeably. At the filling stations, the new prices for motorists must be displayed clearly and visibly – on the price board, as can be found at every station.
The German government ties the relief to a clear expectation of the mineral oil industry. The Federal Ministry of Finance stated in September: "Die Erwartung der Bundesregierung ist natürlich, dass diese Steuererleichterung an die Autofahrerinnen und Autofahrer, an die Bürgerinnen und Bürger weitergegeben wird." This is intended to prevent the corporations from pocketing the lower tax burden without passing it on to customers.