Automobile
Dutch Drivers Cross Borders to Fuel Up Amid High Prices
In the first half of 2026, Dutch motorists increased cross-border fuel purchases in Belgium and Germany by 20 percent, generating an additional 25 million euros for foreign gas stations. De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) statistician Arto Vinkka attributes this shift to a psychological threshold reached by domestic fuel prices, which currently advise 2.73 euros per liter compared to savings of up to 50 cents in neighboring countries. Although global oil export pressures following attacks on Iran have raised prices abroad, the relative cost difference remains significant. Consequently, domestic pump transactions fell by 3 percent as drivers seek cheaper options. Within the Netherlands, self-service station usage rose, indicating a willingness to accept less service for lower costs. Additionally, many travelers combined refueling with shopping or dining, evidenced by a doubling of PIN transactions in border supermarkets to 14.5 million since 2022.
Ozetta summarises; the reporting is the newsroom's