24. Sep 2026
Diesel prices in Europe have climbed again in recent weeks, and this isn't just a local story. The EU average reached €2.03 per litre in early September, with Germany at around €2.34 and the priciest markets — the Netherlands and Denmark — pushing €2.40–2.60 per litre. Notably, the increase isn't driven by a shortage of crude oil but by squeezed refining capacity: the conflict around the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Russian refineries have taken roughly 5 million barrels a day of processing capacity offline. Refining margins have hit record highs, and analysts don't expect relief for several months. In practical terms, that means budgeting for elevated fuel surcharges well into the coming weeks.
The second thing worth keeping in mind when routing through Germany is the extension of border checks. In August, the German government announced that spot checks at all its land borders — including with the Czech Republic — will continue until at least mid-March 2027. While not specifically targeted at freight traffic, they mean longer queues and less predictable crossing times, especially during peak hours. We recommend keeping all documents in order and building extra time buffers into delivery schedules.