Slovenia is rationing fuel

Slovenia is responding to ongoing disruptions in the fuel supply with an unusual measure: the government has become the first European country to limit fuel sales. At the same time, taxes are being cut to ease price pressures.

Effective immediately, private individuals may purchase a maximum of 50 liters per day, while businesses may purchase up to 200 liters. The measure applies nationwide, with a particular focus on highway rest stops, where a significant increase in demand has recently been observed. So-called “gas tourists” are also being targeted—foreign customers may face higher prices in the future.

The decision was made following several crisis meetings between the government and energy companies and logistics providers. The background to this is significant distribution problems, which particularly affect the country’s largest supplier, Petrol. Despite sufficient reserves, there have recently been noticeable distribution bottlenecks.

The government has instructed Petrol to immediately present an action plan to stabilize the supply chains. At the same time, authorities are investigating possible regulatory violations, while a special audit of logistics processes has been initiated. Criminal charges are also not ruled out.

To ease the burden on households and businesses, the government is temporarily reducing the environmental tax on fuels to zero. The measure will remain in effect until early May and is intended to cushion the impact of rising energy prices—even though it will cost the government around 23 million euros.

These interventions demonstrate just how intense the pressure on the energy market has become: rising prices, disrupted supply chains, and growing demand are forcing even stable markets to take unusual measures.