Energy Austrian parliament clears the way for fuel price cuts
Austria's government will be allowed to reduce fuel prices slightly from the beginning of April in order to cushion the consequences of the Iran war. The parliament in Vienna voted in favor of amendments to the law that will allow the reduction of the mineral oil tax and the restriction of profit margins.
25.03.2026, 17:37
25.03.2026, 17:38
SDA
According to the coalition of the conservative ÖVP, social democratic SPÖ and liberal Neos, fuel prices can be reduced by up to 10 cents per liter. The measures should at least curb inflation by 0.25 percentage points, even if the general upward trend in fuel prices cannot be stopped, said Economics Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (ÖVP).
The opposition Greens ensured the necessary two-thirds majority in parliament for the so-called fuel price brake with their votes. The right-wing FPÖ rejected the measures and demanded a greater price reduction of around 40 cents.
Tax cut and intervention in profit margins
As a first step, the government wants to reduce the tax on diesel and petrol by 5 cents per liter from the beginning of April. In addition, profit margins in the fuel industry are to be limited if net prices rise by more than 30 percent within two months. In this way, the government wants to ensure a further price reduction of 5 cents.
The average price in Austria is currently around EUR 2.15 for diesel and EUR 1.86 for premium petrol, according to calculations by the energy authority E-Control. Mineral oil tax and therefore fuel prices in Austria are already lower than in Germany.
In contrast to Germany, price increases at filling stations are only permitted three times a week, at least until mid-April. Prices can be lowered at any time.
