New Fuel Price Limits and Caps Announced for Polish Gas Stations

As the holiday weekend begins, Polish motorists face a shifting pricing landscape at the pump following the Ministry of Energy’s latest administrative price caps. Regular 95-octane petrol drops to a maximum of 6.48 zł per litre, while diesel remains above the psychological 8 zł threshold at 8.15 zł per litre, according to official notices.

The Bottom Line

• Capped Rates: Maximum retail limits are set at 6.48 zł/l for Pb95, 7.32 zł/l for Pb98, and 8.15 zł/l for diesel through November 2.
• Unprotected Fuel: Autogaz (LPG) remains excluded from the government’s “Lower Fuel Prices” (CPN) framework, with real-world station prices climbing as high as 3.99 zł/l.

Regulatory Price Limits Take Effect Across Domestic Filling Stations

The latest official announcement from the Ministry of Energy dictates strict retail price ceilings across all domestic filling stations. For Saturday through Monday, the maximum limit for 95-octane petrol stands at 6.48 zł per litre, marking a 3 grosze reduction from Friday’s 6.51 zł limit. Premium 98-octane petrol drops from 7.36 zł to 7.32 zł per litre.

Meanwhile, diesel (ON) remains stubbornly above the 8 zł mark. The upper limit for diesel is fixed at 8.15 zł per litre, down 4 grosze from Friday’s 8.19 zł ceiling. Minister of Energy Miłosz Motyka noted that these figures represent a substantial decrease.

Fuel Type	Friday Price Cap	Weekend Price Cap	Market Trend
Benzyna 95 (Pb95)	6.51 zł/l	6.48 zł/l	Decreasing
Benzyna 98 (Pb98)	7.36 zł/l	7.32 zł/l	Decreasing
Olej Napędowy (ON)	8.19 zł/l	8.15 zł/l	Decreasing

Windfall Tax Implementation and Political Friction

The administrative caps are facilitated by the implementation of the CPN framework, underpinned by a newly enacted statute targeting excess corporate profits. Signed by Karol Nawrocki, the legislation imposes a 60% levy on surplus revenues generated by liquid fuel manufacturers and wholesale distributors between March 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027.

Photo: Auto Świat

The tax base calculates revenue excesses over historical 2025 margins, incorporating a 2% minimum reference margin.

President Nawrocki forwarded the legislation to the Constitutional Tribunal for subsequent review regarding retroactive taxation principles.

Diverging Realities for Autogaz and Market Competitors

While petrol and diesel enjoy regulatory shelter, drivers utilizing alternative fuel systems encounter an entirely different market structure. Autogaz (LPG) is excluded from the ministry’s protective umbrella, leaving retailers free to adjust prices without statutory interference.

Photo: Dziennik

According to field surveys, real-world LPG prices range from 3.51 zł/l at select locations up to 3.99 zł/l at major network stations like Orlen.

Market Realities and Surrounding Pressures

As the holiday travel period unfolds, analysts note that the current pricing environment is heavily influenced by broader macroeconomic trends. October concluded as the most expensive month for raw material prices since June 2022, compounded by the depreciation of the Polish złoty against the US dollar. Despite government intervention, global market forces continue to exert pressure on domestic fuel costs.

Diesel prices in the preceding week reached 8.28 zł/l on October 28 before receding to the current weekend cap, marking the highest level recorded in the current edition of the CPN program. Conversely, 95-octane petrol dropped from a peak of 7.11 zł/l recorded earlier in the month on October 14. Year-on-year comparisons indicate significant increases for motorists, with diesel prices climbing by 36 percent, petrol rising by 11 percent, and LPG surging by 42 percent compared to the previous year.

Minister Motyka reported that the introduction of the latest CPN phase has not triggered a radical surge in fuel sales across stations, though weekend volumes remain higher than normal daily averages. Subsequent daily price notices are scheduled for publication starting November 2.