The president of the Attica Petrol Station Owners’ Association and press representative of the Panhellenic Federation of Fuel Retailers, Maria Zagka, has expressed the view that the recent fuel subsidy offers consumers only a small reprieve — one that risks being completely offset by relentless price increases. She made the comments during the “Morning Departure” show on Parapolitika 90.1, speaking with journalist Eri Panagou.
Fuel prices: “The subsidy is showing up on invoices, but price hikes are eating it up”
Zagka explained that the government subsidy has already begun to appear on invoices for petrol stations receiving new fuel deliveries. “The subsidy applies to standard unleaded petrol at 10 cents per litre and standard diesel at 5 cents per litre. Stations that have already received new deliveries are automatically seeing the reduction reflected in their purchase price and, consequently, at the pump,” she said. She noted that not all stations have yet received updated invoices, which explains why the price reduction has not been universally applied. “Once the new delivery comes in, the subsidy will be required to appear on the invoice. It may then be absorbed by new price increases, but it must be visible in the documentation,” she stressed.
Commenting on the national market overview, the president of the Attica Petrol Station Owners’ Association pointed to significant regional disparities, particularly on the islands, where unleaded petrol frequently exceeds €2.20 per litre and in some cases reaches as high as €2.30 per litre.
She also warned that rising global fuel prices are significantly limiting the impact of the government’s intervention. “At the rate increases are coming in, the subsidy will disappear very quickly. That said, we have to acknowledge that it has already been factored into prices and does offer the market a small breathing room. It’s not a solution — but it is a small relief for consumers,” she emphasised.
Drivers filling up before they hit the road
Zagka observed that as the weekend approaches, activity at petrol stations noticeably picks up, with drivers choosing to fill their tanks before setting off on their summer holidays. As she explained, it is not only the high cost of fuel that concerns them, but also fear of adulterated fuel at unfamiliar stations. “Many people tell me they prefer to fill up before they leave because they’re worried about running into problems on holiday due to poor-quality fuel. If a car breaks down on the road, it ruins the entire family’s holiday,” she said.
Rising costs hit fuel and holidays alike
The president of the Attica Petrol Station Owners’ Association underlined that the increased financial burden is not limited to fuel — it is affecting the overall cost of summer holidays for Greek households.
She noted that during a recent visit to a small island, she observed significant price increases across a wide range of services, including organised beaches. “People are expressing serious concern about the total cost of their holidays. Price hikes are everywhere, and many are wondering whether they’ll be able to afford it all,” she concluded.
