Price differences at petrol stations widen further
Current comparisons show that the price per litre varies sharply by country, location and type of petrol station.
Anyone comparing fuel prices on 3 October 2026 could encounter a difference of tens of cents per litre. That difference is linked not only to the fuel market, but also to taxes, competition and the station’s location.
Tankwijzer reports an average price of approximately €2.39 per litre of Euro 95 in the Netherlands on 3 October, compared with around €2.16 in Germany and €2.07 in Belgium. These are national averages; individual pump prices can differ considerably.
Location also matters within the Netherlands. Tankwijzer writes that a motorway station is often at least ten cents per litre more expensive than an unmanned budget station. An earlier price analysis by RTL Nieuws, based on data from Independer, also found major differences between petrol stations within the same municipality.
Taxes make up a significant part of the price. Tankwijzer points to Dutch excise duty and VAT, while Belgium operates with maximum prices. Purchasing costs, margins, staffing costs and the level of competition around a station also play a role.
The ANWB publishes national averages and directs motorists to an app that allows prices to be compared by petrol station. This information is particularly useful for motorists who are already travelling; a detour can partly or entirely cancel out the saving, however.
A difference of twenty cents per litre means ten euros for a fifty-litre tank. The extra kilometres, time and fuel consumption of the detour must still be deducted from that. A lower price per litre is therefore not automatically the cheapest choice.
The figures do not indicate that every motorist can save almost forty cents per litre. They do show that comparing prices pays off and that averages, recommended prices and current pump prices should not be confused.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Fuel prices vary by country, station and location.
- Taxes, purchasing costs, margins and competition affect the price.
- A detour can reduce a price advantage.
Left
Arguments Fuel is a basic expense for many households, and high excise duties affect people with few alternatives, such as commuters outside urban areas. The government should give greater weight to affordability and public transport.
Values Affordability, social equality and sustainability.
Consequences Lower costs could help households, but might reduce public revenue and could delay the switch to cleaner transport.
Centre
Arguments Transparent price information and competition are the most direct ways to help consumers. The government should ensure clear rules and reliable data, without centrally setting every pump price.
Values Consumer protection, market forces and practicality.
Consequences Comparing prices can strengthen competition, while targeted support is easier to control than a general price reduction.
Right
Arguments The Dutch tax burden makes fuel unnecessarily expensive and increases differences between borders and locations. Taxes should be reduced, and businesses should retain the freedom to set their own prices and business models.
Values Low taxation, freedom of choice and entrepreneurship.
Consequences Lower excise duties could provide immediate relief, but would cost the Treasury money and could increase fuel consumption.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved with corrections · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The price differences and explanatory factors were checked against current price data and earlier analyses. The broad claim about savings of almost forty cents was toned down because the sources do not support it for every motorist.
- confirmed On 3 October, Tankwijzer reported average Euro 95 prices of approximately €2.39 in the Netherlands, €2.16 in Germany and €2.07 in Belgium. — The current price comparison is published by Tankwijzer. source
- confirmed Prices vary by petrol station and location. — Tankwijzer distinguishes between national averages and current pump prices. source
- confirmed Taxes and excise duties affect the price of fuel. — Tankwijzer describes excise duty, VAT and regulated maximum prices. source
- confirmed The ANWB offers current prices by petrol station through the Onderweg app. — The ANWB refers to the app for comparisons by station. source
- confirmed Price differences within municipalities can be substantial. — RTL Nieuws described an Independer analysis showing major local differences. source
- incorrect Every motorist can save almost forty cents per litre. — The sources show major differences in some places, but do not support this as a general claim. source
1 correction(s) applied
- Was: Finding the cheapest petrol station pays off more than ever: sometimes almost 40 cents’ difference in price.Now: Price differences at petrol stations widen further. (The claim cannot be verified for every motorist or every station; the text is limited to substantiated averages and local differences.)
Editor's note
The current averages come from Tankwijzer and the ANWB’s recent comparison. The precise price at an individual station changes during the day; a saving of almost forty cents therefore cannot be applied generally.Sources
- Brandstofprijzen vandaag 3 oktober 2026 — Tankwijzer
- Brandstofprijzen Europa — ANWB
- Tanken langs de snelweg was bijna nooit zo onvoordelig als nu — RTL Nieuws
More on this in Dutch media
- Het Parool — „brandstof benzine”
- de Volkskrant — „brandstof benzine”
- NU.nl — „brandstof benzine”