Fuel Prices Jump 13% as Crisis Measures End, Petrol Hits 6.80 Zł/Liter
Petrol and diesel prices surged by up to 0.86 złoty per liter on July 1 as Poland's temporary VAT reduction and price cap expired, sending pump prices to their highest levels since the Middle East conflict began in March.
Fuel prices across Poland jumped sharply on July 1, 2026, as the government's temporary anti-crisis measures expired. Petrol now costs between 6.79 and 6.82 złoty per liter, while diesel ranges from 6.97 to 7.05 złoty, according to reports from Dziennik.pl, Polsat News, and Business Insider Polska. The increases—around 0.80 to 0.86 złoty per liter, or 13–14%—mark the end of a three-month package that had shielded consumers from price spikes triggered by the conflict in the Middle East.
Poland introduced maximum retail fuel prices in late March 2026 alongside reduced VAT (8% instead of the standard 23%) and lower excise duties to cushion the impact of surging global oil prices. Finance Minister Andrzej Domański emphasized that the measures were always temporary. The reduced excise duty expired on June 15, and the VAT cut and price cap ended on June 30. The Polish Press Agency (PAP) quoted the finance ministry as saying the package cost the state budget around 1.6 billion złoty per month, totaling 4.7 billion złoty.
What This Means for Drivers
Urszula Cieślak, an analyst at fuel monitoring service Reflux, noted that the return of 23% VAT from 8% alone was large enough to push pump prices up by more than 0.50 złoty per liter, though Reflux expected the increase to settle at 0.30–0.50 złoty. Fuel price monitoring service E-petrol confirmed the immediate impact, with prices rising sharply overnight at stations nationwide.
Impact on Foreigners and Residents
If you drive regularly in Poland, budget an extra 40–50 złoty per tank (50 liters). Commuters and families relying on cars will feel the pinch in monthly expenses. The government approved a one-off windfall tax on fuel companies to help recoup some of the subsidy cost, but consumers bear the immediate price rise. Consider carpooling, public transport passes, or shifting non-urgent trips to reduce fuel spending until prices stabilize. Diesel drivers are hit hardest, with prices now above 7 złoty per liter for the first time since April.
Sources
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