Petrol and Diesel Prices in Germany: What Determines Fuel Costs
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Fuel remains a major expense for motorists in Germany in 2026: the price at the pump depends on global oil prices, the euro–dollar exchange rate, competition between filling stations, energy tax, VAT and the CO2 component. According to the latest available ADAC monthly average data, in May 2026 a litre of Super E10 cost an average of €1.983, while diesel cost €1.991. This was below the April peak, but still noticeably above the usual level in 2025.
For drivers, it is more important than memorising one “German average price” to understand three things: prices change several times a day, motorway filling stations are almost always more expensive, and apps using data from the Markttransparenzstelle für Kraftstoffe can help you quickly find a better-priced station nearby.
How Much Do Petrol and Diesel Cost in Germany in 2026?
ADAC publishes monthly average trends for Super E10 and diesel prices. According to these figures, the start of 2026 was unstable: after comparatively moderate January and February prices, the market rose sharply in spring.
| Month, 2026 | Super E10, average price per litre | Diesel, average price per litre |
|---|---|---|
| January | €1.739 | €1.692 |
| February | €1.760 | €1.722 |
| March | €2.022 | €2.164 |
| April | €2.109 | €2.263 |
| May | €1.983 | €1.991 |
April 2026 was particularly expensive: according to ADAC, the average price of Super E10 reached €2.109 per litre and diesel €2.263. Prices fell in May, but when travelling in Germany it is still worth checking the current price immediately before refuelling.
It is important to distinguish between petrol types. German apps most often compare Super E10, Super E5 and Diesel. International EU statistics often use Euro-super 95, so figures from different tables do not always match exactly.
Where to Check Current Prices
For the current price at a specific filling station, it is best to use services that receive data from the Markttransparenzstelle für Kraftstoffe (MTS-K) at the Bundeskartellamt. Operators of public filling stations must report price changes for Super E5, Super E10 and diesel within five minutes. This data then appears on consumer websites and apps.
In practice, drivers often use:
- ADAC Drive — fuel prices, routes and additional motoring information;
- clever-tanken — a quick search for cheap filling stations nearby and along your route;
- mehr-tanken — price comparisons, filters and guidance on price trends;
- other apps that explicitly state that they use MTS-K data.
Do not check the price at home in the morning; check it immediately before pulling into the station. In Germany, the same filling station can change fuel prices many times a day.
What Makes Up the Price of a Litre of Fuel?
The price displayed at a filling station is a combination of taxes, mandatory components and the market share. In simplified form, it consists of:
- Energy tax (Energiesteuer). The base rates for regular petrol and diesel differ: petrol is taxed more heavily and diesel less heavily. Fuel-market reference materials usually give 65.45 cents per litre of petrol and 47.04 cents per litre of diesel.
- VAT (Umsatzsteuer). Germany’s standard VAT rate is 19%; it is charged on a price that includes energy tax and other components.
- The CO2 component under the national emissions trading system. For 2026, a price corridor of €55–65 per tonne of CO2 is provided. This component is applied to fuel through suppliers and is usually passed on in the final price.
- Raw materials and refining. The price of Brent crude, the dollar exchange rate, refinery utilisation, seasonal demand and wholesale-market conditions all have an effect.
- Logistics and storage. Delivery, regional costs, inventories and distance from the supply depot are also reflected in the price.
- The margin of the chain and individual filling station. It depends on competition, brand, location, time of day and proximity to the motorway.
That is why a price increase does not always mean a tax has changed. Sometimes oil or the wholesale market rises quickly; at other times local competition and a station’s daily pricing strategy matter more.
Why Prices Change During the Day
Fuel prices in Germany are dynamic. Filling stations can raise and lower prices several times a day in response to competitors, traffic volume and demand. As a result, two stations in the same area may differ by several cents, and one station may differ even more between morning and evening.
The typical practical pattern is:
- prices are often less favourable in the morning and at times of high demand;
- lower-price windows often appear in the evening;
- prices can be more sensitive before public holidays, school holidays and long weekends;
- convenience on main roads and near the motorway almost always comes with a higher price.
ADAC regularly advises comparing prices and avoiding the most expensive time of day, but the specific “best time” changes. An app with up-to-date data is therefore more reliable than a fixed rule.
E10 or E5: Which Is Better Value?
If your car is approved for E10, this option is often cheaper than Super E5. In 2026, ADAC indicated a difference of around 6 cents per litre in favour of E10. For a 50–60 litre tank, that is already a noticeable amount.
Before switching, check your vehicle manual, the fuel-filler flap or the manufacturer’s compatibility list. Most modern petrol cars in Germany can use E10, but for older or rare models it is better not to guess.
E10 may result in slightly higher consumption because of its composition, so the saving depends on the particular car and driving style. For most approved vehicles, the price difference still makes E10 a sensible option.
Why Motorway Filling Stations Are Expensive
Filling stations at a Raststätte along the motorway are usually considerably more expensive than urban or suburban stations. Their prices reflect the location, rent, flow of transit drivers and people’s willingness to pay for convenience without leaving the motorway.
If you have enough fuel, it is often cheaper to leave the motorway and refuel in the nearest town or Gewerbegebiet. Check an app before exiting: sometimes the saving per litre outweighs the small loss of time, especially when filling a full tank.
How to Save on Fuel in Germany
A practical strategy without complicated calculations:
- compare prices in an MTS-K app immediately before refuelling;
- do not refuel on the motorway unless necessary;
- choose E10 if your vehicle is compatible;
- refuel in advance rather than when the tank is nearly empty;
- check evening prices, but follow the app rather than habit;
- compare stations along your route, not only the one nearest home;
- do not make a large detour to save a few cents if the saving does not cover the extra kilometres;
- when travelling across a border, compare prices in neighbouring countries in advance, but take the route, time and tank capacity into account.
When Does Refuelling Abroad Make Sense?
If your route already passes through Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Luxembourg or another neighbouring country, it is often sensible to check local prices before returning to Germany. But making a special cross-border trip just for fuel is not always worthwhile.
The calculation is simple: the difference in price per litre × the amount you fill up, minus the cost of extra kilometres and time. If the tank is small or the detour is long, the saving quickly disappears.
Brief Conclusion
In 2026, petrol and diesel prices in Germany remain high and fluctuate considerably. For everyday savings, the most effective measures are not general tables but current MTS-K data, choosing E10 where compatible, refuelling away from the motorway and comparing prices immediately before you pull in. Average prices are useful for understanding the trend, but the real cost of your journey is determined by the specific station, time and route.
