"Gas Prices Up Again? I'm Going on a Trip"... 'Fuel Tourism' Booms Amid Soaring Oil Prices

With the Strait of Hormuz Blocked, International Oil Prices Soar
"Fuel Tourism" Spreads Across Europe with Open Borders
Dutch Head to Belgium, Germans to Poland for Cheaper Gasoline

With the surge in international oil prices due to the war in Iran, "fuel tourism" is becoming increasingly common across Europe.

On the 13th of last month (local time), vehicles were crowded at a gas station in Brussels, Belgium. Photo by AP Newswire

On May 3 (local time), Yonhap News quoted the Netherlands Times, reporting that "as the impact of the Strait of Hormuz blockade increases the burden of oil prices, many people are crossing borders more proactively." Most European Union (EU) member states allow for free border crossings under the Schengen Agreement, which people are using to refuel in other countries. The Schengen Agreement enables unrestricted movement between EU countries.

There are significant differences in oil prices among European countries due to factors such as fuel taxes, distribution structures, and import costs based on geopolitical location. As of May 2, the price of gasoline per liter in the Netherlands was close to 2.62 euros (about 4,500 won), prompting a recent surge in residents fueling up in Belgium before returning home. In Belgium, gasoline currently costs about 1.9 euros (about 3,300 won) per liter, which is lower than in the Netherlands.

Dutch economist Janine van Reeken-van Bey explained, "When the price gap widens, consumers respond sensitively," and added, "As the price difference between the two countries has grown, there has been a noticeable increase in people traveling further across the border into Belgium to fill up their tanks." She estimated that about 15% of gasoline consumption in the southern border regions of the Netherlands has shifted to Belgium. In this context, a Dutch gas station operator near the Belgian border predicted, "Due to the Middle East war, business will likely be quieter than usual for about two months."

Since Germany, which borders the eastern Netherlands, reduced its fuel tax on May 1, cross-border fuel runs into Germany have also started to increase. Currently, gasoline in Germany is priced at about 2.1 euros per liter (about 3,640 won). Meanwhile, consumers in eastern Germany are heading to neighboring Poland to refuel, as Polish gasoline costs 6.14 zloty per liter (about 1.45 euros or 2,510 won), which is lower than in Germany.

The media outlet reported, "As fuel tourism increases, chronic traffic jams are occurring at the German-Polish border," and added, "As concerns about fuel shortages rise in Poland, authorities are considering measures to restrict sales to these drivers and are reviewing enforcement actions against fuel tourists."

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on social networking services (SNS) on May 3 that "starting from the morning of May 4, Middle East time, we will assist third-country vessels trapped in the Strait of Hormuz to ensure their safe passage."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.