BRATISLAVA, March 26, 2026 — Slovakia’s competition watchdog has warned the government that proposed measures to limit diesel consumption during a potential oil shortage could harm competition and disrupt the fuel market in the long term.
The Antimonopoly Office of the Slovak Republic said in an opinion sent to the Slovak government that interventions such as fuel purchase limits, caps on diesel sales and different prices for domestic and foreign vehicles could negatively affect market functioning.
The government adopted the measures after diesel prices in Slovakia remained lower than in neighbouring countries, partly due to voluntary price restraint by Slovnaft. The price difference reportedly increased cross-border demand and contributed to fuel shortages at petrol stations.
The authority cautioned that artificially keeping prices low may appear beneficial for consumers in the short term but could weaken market structures and ultimately lead to higher fuel prices.
It also pointed to the experience of Hungary, where fuel price regulation led to sharp price increases after the controls were lifted.
