Three in 10 Dutch drivers go across the border for cheaper fuel

Photo: Depositphotos.com
Photo: Depositphotos.com

Three in ten Dutch motorists are filling up their cars over the border to take advantage of lower prices in Belgium and Germany.

In the border province of Limburg five out of six drivers are leaving the country to save on fuel, according to a survey by ANP/LocalFocus in co-operation with Kieskompas.

Fuel prices have always been relatively high in the Netherlands, but since the war in Ukraine began, they’ve risen even more sharply.

One-third of the 3,000 Dutch people questioned by Kieskompas said they had bought petrol in Belgium or Germany.

Almost three-quarters of Limburgers had done so in the last month, while in Noord-Brabant (46 percent) and Zeeland, both of which have a border with Belgium, the figures were 46% and 43%.

The figures were lower for northern provinces, but 10% of people in Noord-Holland and Flevoland and 5% of Frisians said they had crossed the border in search of cheaper petrol.

In early June, the German government reduced taxes on petrol and diesel, making the prospect of refuelling across the border even more attractive but resulting in traffic jams.

According to the motoring organisation ANWB, Dutch petrol prices are among the highest in Europe, only surpassed by the Scandinavian countries, Greece and Iceland.

As of July 1, a litre of petrol cost €2.04 in Belgium and €1.89 in Germany, compared to €2.37 in the Netherlands. Norway tops the list at €2.57 per litre.

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