Fuel retailers must cut fuel margins by 3.5 cents per litre from 1 October 2026
Austria's government has ordered fuel retailers (petrol stations, fuel distributors, manufacturers) to reduce profit margins on diesel and Euro-Super E10 petrol by a fixed 3.5 euros per litre effective 1 October 2026. The measure expires 31 October 2026.
What changed
Fuel retailers must reduce net selling prices for diesel B7 and Euro-Super E10 petrol by 3.5 eurocents per litre starting 1 October 2026 at 12:00. Price increases are thereafter limited to follow only the rise in wholesale reference prices (based on international price services like Argus Media or S&P Global Platts), measured from the baseline of 31 March 2026. If wholesale prices fall, retailers must pass the reduction on immediately.
Who is affected
The rule applies to fuel manufacturers, tax warehouse operators, petrol station chains (with vertical integration to ensure end-customer benefit), and larger independent petrol stations (more than 30 stations). Motorway petrol stations are exempt. Small independent retailers are covered only if they buy from a supplier subject to the margin cap.
What to look out for
Retailers must report daily net selling prices to Austria's energy regulator (E-Control) by 10:00 a.m. if they are vertically integrated manufacturers or tax warehouse operators. E-Control will monitor compliance and can require retailers to pass on reductions to customers if they repeat price-setting violations. Retailers cannot be forced to sell below cost plus reasonable profit; they must provide proof to E-Control if the price cap creates that situation. The entire rule expires 31 October 2026.