Poland announces lower weekend fuel price caps for gasoline and diesel

Poland's Ministry of Energy published new maximum retail fuel prices that take effect from Friday, 22 May 2026 and apply through the weekend to Monday, 25 May. The limits set the ceiling for gasoline 95 at 6.48 zł per litre (reduced by 2 gr), gasoline 98 at 7.06 zł (unchanged), and diesel at 6.91 zł (down 6 gr). For the weekend of 23‑25 May the caps were slightly adjusted to 6.46 zł for gasoline 95 and 6.85 zł for diesel.

These caps are part of the government’s "Ceny Paliwa Niżej" programme, which also lowers the VAT rate on fuel from 23 % to 8 % and reduces excise duties to the minimum levels allowed by EU rules (by 29 gr per litre for gasoline and 28 gr for diesel). The Ministry warns that selling fuel above the limits can incur fines up to 1 million zł, and the daily limits are published in the Monitor Polski.

Economists note that the scheme costs the state budget about 1.6 billion zł per month and has faced criticism for its expense and for not encouraging reduced fuel consumption, though officials argue it helps keep inflation low and protects drivers from higher prices.