Poland caps fuel prices at 6.70 zł for regular gasoline ahead of All Saints’ Day travel
Poland capped retail fuel prices at 6.70 zł per liter for regular gasoline 95 ahead of the All Saints’ Day holiday travel period, according to an official announcement published in Monitor Polski. The Ministry of Energy established maximum gross prices effective October 21, setting regular gasoline 95 at 6.70 zł per liter, gasoline 98 at 7.43 zł per liter, and diesel at 7.98 zł per liter. The intervention aims to stabilize the retail market during late October, when millions of Polish citizens traditionally drive long distances to visit family graves, avoiding the sharp price swings that occurred under full market freedom.
Price adjustments across fuel types and major retail brands
The latest ministerial guidelines brought noticeable price drops for gasoline vehicle owners, while diesel limits saw a minor upward correction to block projected surges. Regular gasoline 95 dropped from the previous 6.79 zł per liter down to 6.70 zł, while gasoline 98 decreased from 7.56 zł to 7.43 zł per liter. Diesel experienced a one-grosz upward adjustment from 7.97 zł to 7.98 zł per liter, which successfully blocked independent market analyst forecasts that predicted a jump toward 8.50 zł per liter. The regulatory package narrowed pricing gaps between standard and premium fuels across major chains. At Circle K, BP, Shell, and MOL, standard and premium variants of diesel and gasoline often shared identical price points, such as regular and premium diesel aligning at 7.99 zł per liter on several networks. Meanwhile, Autogaz (LPG) remains outside the regulatory shielding mechanism, rising rapidly due to autumn logistics and wholesale supply costs.
Funding the price protection package through windfall taxes
The price cap mechanism operates under the third installment of the “Ceny Paliwa Niżej” (CPN) program, designed to curb station price spikes and lower refueling costs for drivers. The current phase of the CPN program remains in effect until December 31, 2026, and is tied to legislation on windfall profits of fuel enterprises signed by President Karol Naworski. Tax revenues from this corporate levy partially cover the costs of lower excise duties and value-added tax on fuels. While the Ministry of Energy earmarked billions of zł in this year’s state budget for actions related to lowering fuel prices, it is estimated that monthly budget shortfalls reach roughly 1,6 mld zł, meaning the windfall tax will finance only about two and a half months of the full program.
Enforcement and heavy penalties for non-compliance
Government price limits are absolute, and regulatory authorities are conducting mass inspections at fuel stations across the country. Inspectors deployed patrols to major logistics nodes, including expressway junctions on the S7, S8, A1, A2, and A4 roads, as well as exits from large urban agglomerations and areas surrounding major municipal cemeteries. Stations found selling even a single liter of fuel above the mandated ceiling face immediate administrative proceedings. Penalties for non-compliance reach up to 1 mln zł, with potential revocation of liquid fuel trading licenses for repeat offenses.
Why autogaz is excluded and when CPN program ends?
Why is autogaz excluded from the government price caps?
Autogaz (LPG) operates under general market rules because the regulatory shielding program specifically targets gasoline and diesel. Consequently, LPG prices increased by 14 groszy over the course of a single week due to seasonal logistics and wholesale supply costs.
How long will the CPN fuel price stabilization program last?
The current phase of the CPN program is authorized to run until December 31, 2026. Decisions regarding whether to extend the mechanism into 2027 depend on market assessments by the Ministry of Finance and Economy scheduled for December.
What are the specific penalties for fuel stations that exceed the price limits?
Fuel stations that sell fuel above the statutory maximum price face immediate administrative proceedings and financial penalties as high as 1 mln zł. In cases of flagrant violations, authorities hold the legal power to suspend or completely revoke the station’s liquid fuel trading concession.