Austria Lifts Temporary Restrictions on Fuel Prices

Service stations in Austria are once again permitted to raise fuel prices daily from 12:00, following the expiry of a temporary pricing measure.

The regulation, which was in force from 16 March to 12 April, had restricted price increases to three days a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. During that period, however, price reductions were allowed at any time.

Under the reinstated rules, petrol stations may adjust prices upward each day, but only from midday. If operators choose to increase prices, the change must begin immediately at 12:00. The Ministry interprets the requirement to act ‘without delay’ as meaning that the adjustment process should start at that time, with manual updates typically taking between five and ten minutes.

The decree also sets out penalties for non-compliance. Breaches of the rules may result in fines of up to €2,180 under the Trade Act or up to €1,450 under the Price Marking Act.

The temporary restrictions had been introduced as part of efforts to manage fuel price volatility, but their expiry signals a return to more flexible pricing practices across the sector.

(wko, bak)