Czech fuel price cap ends, diesel and gasoline prices rise

The Czech government ended the state‑imposed fuel price cap on Sunday, 19 July, after more than three months of regulation. With the cap removed, retail prices at petrol stations rose by several tenths to a few Czech crowns per litre. Diesel saw the strongest increase, in part because the temporary reduction in the diesel consumption tax was reversed to the normal 9.95 CZK / l, adding roughly 2 CZK to the price. Analysts had warned that diesel could climb by up to 3 – 3.5 CZK per litre, with gasoline expected to rise by about 1 – 1.5 CZK. Station prices reported include Medos in Dolní Počernice (diesel 37.90 CZK, gasoline 39.90 CZK), PRIM (diesel 39.90 CZK, gasoline 40.90 CZK), Shell on Chodov (diesel 41.90 CZK, gasoline 43.10 CZK) and others showing similar hikes. The end of the cap also affected German drivers who had previously crossed the border to fuel in the Czech Republic; they now face higher costs at border stations. The finance ministry said it will monitor the market closely and is prepared to intervene if prices surge excessively.