Germany fuel prices drive rise in gas station theft

Rising fuel prices in Germany are driving an increase in fuel theft, according to a German gas station association. Drivers are increasingly resorting to illegal methods, such as filling their tanks and fleeing the station without paying.

Association spokesperson Herbert Rabl noted that the threshold for criminal tolerance drops significantly when prices reach approximately 2.40 euros per liter. To combat these losses, some station owners have begun locking and turning off fuel pumps at night, a measure that has already shown results in reducing theft.

Currently, Super E10 gasoline in Germany is priced at approximately 2.35 euros per liter, while diesel stands at 2.51 euros. These figures represent a sharp increase compared to late September 2025. While the government plans to mitigate pressure through energy tax reductions, it remains uncertain whether oil companies will pass these savings on to consumers.