Frugal Germans are crossing into Poland to buy petrol as pump prices rise due to Iran's retaliation against US-Israeli strikes. A litre of Super E10 petrol costs 2.01 euros in Germany, up 15% from February levels.
Some Germans, like Joerg, a 50-year-old insurance worker, are taking advantage of Poland's lower VAT and fuel duty rates to fill up their tanks. 'I need to do a lot of driving next week and petrol is cheaper here,' Joerg said.
Poland's lower prices have added to the sense that Germany's government is out of touch with the concerns of its citizens. 'I think that it can't go on like this forever,' Joerg said of price rises at the pumps.
Industrial mechanic Melanie Adam, 33, also makes monthly trips from Berlin to Slubice for cheaper fuel and cigarettes. 'It's just easier for all Germans to pop over here, fill up, than to do it over there,' she said.
