The Antimonopoly Office of the Slovak Republic (PMÚ) has issued a formal warning regarding the government’s recent emergency measures to restrict diesel consumption, cautioning that artificial price suppression could lead to long-term market deformation and higher costs for consumers. The statement follows a government decree approved on March 18, 2026, which was triggered by a global surge in fuel prices linked to the conflict in Iran.
While Slovak diesel prices initially remained stable due to “self-regulation” by refiner Slovnaft, the resulting price disparity compared to neighboring EU nations led to a surge in foreign demand and local shortages. In response, the state implemented a €400 transaction limit, export bans, and a controversial dual-pricing system that charges higher fixed rates for vehicles registered outside Slovakia.
The PMÚ argues these interventions mirror failed policies seen in Hungary during 2022. According to the regulator, when Hungary removed similar price caps, fuel prices jumped 11.6% higher than they would have been without regulation. This spike was attributed to the exit of independent, low-cost gas stations that could not compete under the price ceiling.
A similar risk now looms over Slovakia. The PMÚ highlighted that the mandate to close unmanned self-service stations—which lack the staff to enforce the new limits—threatens to eliminate the market’s most competitive players. These stations typically offer prices 4 to 6 cents lower per liter than full-service outlets. Their removal could permanently strengthen the position of large retail networks, ultimately driving up average prices.
Furthermore, the regulator noted that the dual-pricing mechanism likely violates European Union principles regarding the free movement of goods and non-discrimination based on nationality. For the logistics sector, the €400 limit is expected to increase operational costs for heavy transport, potentially fueling broader inflation as shipping companies pass these expenses onto goods.
