There are significant differences in fuel prices in the Balkans. The most expensive is in Greece, where gasoline exceeds 2 euros per liter, and diesel is between 2.05 euros and 2.10 euros, bTV calculates.
In Turkey, prices are significantly lower - a liter of gasoline costs 1.41 euros, and diesel - 1.55 euros.
In Serbia, consumers pay 1.61 euros per liter of gasoline, and diesel is 1.81 euros, respectively.
In North Macedonia, gasoline is 1.41 euros per liter, and diesel - 1.55 euros. In Romania, gasoline is 1.80 euros per liter, and diesel is approaching prices of 2 euros.
We checked whether “diesel tourism“ is underway due to the significant price differences in neighboring countries.
At the first gas station near Vidin, where we stop, we meet Claudio. He comes from the Romanian county of Dolj to fill up. In addition to the tank, they also fill cans.
“2 euros for diesel, gasoline is 1.90 for one. It's a little cheaper than in Romania“, says Claudio.
Due to Vidin's proximity to the borders with Romania and Serbia and the differences in fuel prices at gas stations, there are a lot of Romanians and Serbs filling up on fuel at lower prices.
“After the events in Iran, when wholesale prices started to rise first, then retail prices, there is increased interest. It is normal for people to stock up as much as they can. Even if they fill up one tank of a car, they will save some money and, in addition to Bulgarian citizens, we have increased interest, increased consumption from neighboring Romania and Serbia. "In Serbia, prices have probably been higher than here for years," says Lyudmil Ivanov, a representative of a gas station chain.
The price of fuel in North Macedonia
For the first time in the history of North Macedonia, diesel exceeded the price of gasoline. The government has reduced the VAT from 18% to 10%.
According to information from the government, due to competitive prices, about 1,500 liters per day are sold to citizens from neighboring countries, mainly from Serbia, Kosovo and Bulgaria.
And on our northern border, the toll for crossing the “Danube Bridge 2“ is 6 euros one way and to justify this expense, foreigners also buy other goods in our country, traders say.
“For more than a year, cigarettes have been more interesting for Romanians in Bulgaria because of the prices. As far as I understand, recently other goods – food products, have also been cheaper“, explains Lyudmil Ivanov
Observations of those employed in the sector also show that even agricultural producers from Romania are refueling in Bulgaria, and this has been the case since last summer.