Slovakia considers higher diesel price for foreigners to battle fuel tourism

Slovakia is considering regulation to set higher diesel prices at the fuel pumps for foreign drivers or limiting their refuelling, Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Tuesday, as the government looks to protect against fuel tourism.

Fico said representatives from refiner Slovnaft, part of Hungary's oil and gas group MOL MOLB.BU, had informed the government that in some northern districts next to Poland, cheaper diesel prices on the Slovak side of the border had led to a rise in purchases.

In some cases, Fico said, "gas stations literally dried up."

Governments around the world fear a surge in fuel prices triggered by the Iran war.

Hungary has capped fuel prices, while Poland's main refiner Orlen PKN.WA has cut its margins to tame the impact on consumers. Slovakia has so far avoided any measures, relying on self-regulation by sellers, which can also limit volumes.

Fico said the government wanted prices comparable to most neighbouring countries like Poland, and cheaper than in Austria.

-Reporting by Jason Hovet; Editing by Kirsten Donovan/Reuters