GoTankThe noon price rule in Germany and Austria
In both countries a fuel station may raise its prices only once a day, at 12:00 noon. It may lower them whenever it likes. That makes the day's price curve easy to read.
The rule
- Germany: since 1 April 2026, stations may raise fuel prices once a day, at 12:00. Price cuts are allowed at any time.
- Austria: the same rule has applied since 2011 under the fuel price regulation (Spritpreisverordnung), which has been extended to 2028. Raises only at 12:00, cuts at any time.
Prices themselves are not fixed by the state in either country. Each station still sets its own price; the rule only limits when it may go up.
What it means for filling up
- Late morning is usually the cheapest time. Since the last raise, 24 hours earlier, prices have only been able to fall.
- Just after 12:00 is usually the most expensive. Stations that want a higher price have to take it at noon, so many do.
- Prices then ease off through the afternoon and evening as stations undercut each other. If you missed the morning, waiting a few hours often helps.
These are tendencies, not guarantees: a station may also leave its price alone at noon, and the cheapest station at 13:00 can still beat an expensive one at 11:00. Comparing the stations around you matters more than the clock.
In the GoTank app
In Germany and Austria, GoTank shows a tip in the morning with the time left until 12:00, and after noon a note that prices went up and usually ease off later. Every station's price is coloured against the local average, so you can see at once whether it is a good one.
Checked on 9 November 2026 against the Bundeskartellamt (Germany) and the Spritpreisverordnung in the RIS (Austria). Rules can change; the price on the pump always counts.
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