Germany cuts energy tax to offer motorists relief from soaring fuel prices
The 2.5 billion euro measure comes after record fuel prices and follows pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz to ease costs for drivers and businesses.
- On Tuesday, Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged fuel relief measures, promising proposals 'very soon' to shield German drivers from record-high petrol and diesel prices ahead of Sunday's state elections.
- Escalating Middle East conflict and closures at the Strait of Hormuz have pushed oil futures above $100 a barrel, driving supply-side spikes that forced Germany's fuel costs to record levels.
- ADAC motoring association data shows E10 petrol reached a record €2.286 per litre while diesel rose to €2.404, compounding pressure after temporary tax cuts from May through June expired.
- Starting October 1, the government will cut fuel taxes by €0.17 per litre through year-end, a measure costing €2.5 billion to provide immediate relief at German pumps.
- Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil advocates for an excess profits tax on energy firms, while Merz faces political fallout after his Christian Democrats suffered significant losses in Sunday's regional elections.
189 Articles
189 Articles
The new fuel discount is to apply from 1 October - the Bundestag and the Federal Council are to decide on the tax reduction this week, said a spokesman of the Federal Ministry of Finance on Monday. However, it is still unclear when a fuel price cap can be introduced. The mineral oil industry strongly criticized such a maximum price - thus the government would "deeply intervene in the market" and "in the worst case endanger the security of supply…
As early as 1 October, diesel prices for farmers could fall, and the government is planning these measures.
The Federal Government and the Länder have agreed on a relief package against the high fuel prices. Planned is a new tank discount and the introduction of a fuel price cover. The most important questions and answers.
The German government will temporarily reduce the tax on gasoline and diesel. From October 1, fuel prices at stations are expected to fall by around 17 euro cents per litre. The relief, which will cost the budget 2.5 billion euros, is a response to a sharp rise in oil prices and deteriorating social sentiment.
The German government is reducing fuel taxes to lower the prices of gasoline and diesel.
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